Madison Heights Cancels Drag Queen Story Time Before Pride Festival

Just a few days before Madison Heights' Pride Festival, city leaders voted to cancel a planned Drag Queen Story Time event. Not surprisingly, people are pretty fired up about it. Depending on who you ask, the city either made the right call or totally missed the mark.

The Madison Heights City Council voted 4-3 to cancel the event, which would have featured drag performer Jadein Black reading books to children during the festival.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, the council members who backed the decision say they were concerned about whether the event was appropriate for children and worried it could cause some families to skip the festival entirely.

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Drag Performer Jadein Black Responds to City Council Vote

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Black says the decision was disappointing and unexpected. Having previously taught elementary school students, Black says these events are meant to be fun, positive experiences focused on books, kindness, and acceptance.

Of course, not everyone sees it that way.

Residents React After Madison Heights Cancels Drag Queen Story Time

Not surprisingly, reactions have been mixed. Very mixed.

No surprise here, people are pretty divided. A lot of residents, especially those commenting online, supported the council's decision. Others say the event was being blown out of proportion and that drag story times are simply about reading books, making kids smile, and encouraging kindness and acceptance.

Drag Queen Story Time Will Still Take Place in Ypsilanti

Even though the Madison Heights event has been canceled, Jadein Black says Drag Queen Story Time will still happen this weekend.

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Instead, it will take place at Sidetrack in Ypsilanti, where Black regularly performs and plans to continue hosting the event despite the controversy.