In the midst of a fiercely competitive congressional primary in New York, two Democratic candidates have committed to securing federal funding for the “Drag Story Hour” initiative. This comes as financial records reveal that city and state taxpayers have already contributed nearly $700,000 to support this program. The initiative involves drag performers visiting schools to read stories to young children, aiming to promote diversity and inclusion.
Incumbent Representative Dan Goldman and his challenger, former city Comptroller Brad Lander, expressed their backing for this initiative during a meeting with an LGBTQ Democratic club. Both candidates affirmed their intention to allocate federal funds to the program, if possible, to ensure its continuation and expansion.
In a questionnaire from the Jim Owles LGBT Liberal Democratic Club, Goldman lamented the current lack of congressional support for LGBTQIA+ programming. “Unfortunately, the Majority does not allow funding from Members of Congress to support LGBTQIA+ programming,” he noted, adding that if the political landscape shifts in favor of his party, he anticipates funding programs like Drag Story Hours. Goldman, who is running for a third term, expressed enthusiasm for potentially hosting such events in the future.
Brad Lander, on the other hand, highlighted his past involvement with the program. During his tenure as a City Council member, he supported Drag Story Hour events at Brooklyn Public Library branches in his district. This history reflects his commitment to backing similar initiatives at the federal level should he be elected. Both candidates’ pledges underscore their dedication to supporting LGBTQIA+ communities and fostering inclusive spaces for all.
“I would most certainly welcome the chance to host one.”
Lander, in his response, boasted that he had supported a story hour at the Brooklyn Public Library branches in his district when he served as a City Council member.
A Lander spokesman confirmed that if elected to the House, the Democrat looks forward “to funding affordable housing, health care, child care, USAID, libraries, and lots of arts and culture programs, most certainly including Drag Story Hour.”
Drag Story Hour — run by Drag Artists for Expression NYC — partners with 128 public and private schools and more than 90 public libraries throughout the city to have cross-dressing performers read to youngsters, according to its website. The group was formerly called Drag Story Hour NYC.
Supporters say the program promotes “gender diversity” and tolerance among youths and discourages discrimination. The artists group says on its website it provides “storytelling and creative arts for youth and adults.”
“Through fun and fabulous educational experiences, our programs celebrate gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable,” the group’s website states.
In 2025 alone, the Drag Artists said they had produced 165 readings serving more than 5,000 youth across all five boroughs of the city — including 48 programs in public schools, serving 2,350 children, 30 programs in public libraries, serving 810 children and 43 bilingual programs serving 1,230 youths as well as several readings for youths in the foster care system.
But even in LGBT-friendly New York, the readings have faced protests, including bomb threats. Parents have complained they were not informed or asked for consent before their child participated in readings or other events.
Goldman and Lander’s statements come as records show the Big Apple and state have pumped several hundred thousand dollars into the program within the last decade: $367,000 via agencies including the Department of Youth and Community Development and $204,500 administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Republican strategists said GOP candidates would campaign on using tax money for the polarizing program.
“The vast majority of Americans don’t want taxpayer dollars used to indoctrinate children with gender ideology,” Republican pollster John McLaughlin told The Post.
McLaughlin, who conducts surveys for President Trump and New York Republican candidates, called the push by the Dem candidate “outrageous” and “bizarre” — an example of the extreme agenda that will be pushed if their party wins back Congress in the November midterms.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, the Trump campaign ran a commercial hammering Democratic nominee and then-Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting funding gender reassignment surgeries for prison inmates.
Last week, House Democrats voted en masse against legislation sponsored by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) to build a museum to honor women because Republicans inserted language barring transgender people or “biological men” from appearing in exhibits. The bill was defeated.
New York State Conservative Party chairman Gerard Kassar warned that what sells in the most liberal precincts of New York won’t fly across the nation.
“It’s a very inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. It’s pushing extremism,” Kassar said.
