Two New York Democrat Candidates Seek Federal Funds for Drag Story Hour
Two Democratic candidates for a New York congressional seat support federal funding for Drag Story Hour programs that have already cost city and state taxpayers nearly $700,000.
Incumbent Representative Dan Goldman and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander both indicated their willingness to direct federal money toward the controversial program, according to Breitbart News.
In a questionnaire submitted to the Jim Owles LGBT Liberal Democratic Club, Goldman explained that current House rules prevent members from funding programs related to LGBTQ activism. However, once we take back the House, I certainly cannot wait to fund programs like Drag Story Hours, Goldman wrote, as he campaigns for a third term in Congress.
A spokesman for Lander stated that if elected, the former comptroller would prioritize funding for affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, and foreign aid, as well as libraries and arts programming. The spokesman specifically confirmed that Drag Story Hour would be included among these priorities.
The program in question is operated by Drag Artists for Expression NYC, formerly known as Drag Story Hour NYC. Breitbart News reports that the organization has already consumed approximately $700,000 in city and state taxpayer funds since its founding.
The group works with both public and private schools as well as public libraries to arrange readings by drag performers for children. Recent social media posts show drag queens reading books with gender identity themes, including stories about children identifying as transgender.
City records revealed in 2022 that New York public schools were spending taxpayer dollars on drag performances for students, frequently without informing or obtaining consent from parents.
Since launching in 2018, the organization has received over $207,000 in direct taxpayer funding. The program has drawn sustained criticism for exposing children to adult concepts related to sexuality and gender ideology through books such as “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish,” which promotes gender fluidity to young audiences.
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams faced backlash in 2022 after publicly praising drag performers for their supposed contributions to the education system. The following year, state Attorney General Letitia James planned her own drag story hour event open to children.
As recently as 2025, a planned drag performance for a children’s advocacy organization in New York was cancelled after community members discovered the event and voiced objections.
With information from Breitbart News
