"Drag Queen Story Hour" raises concerns in New Port Richey — for supporters and protestors alike

NEW PORT RICHEY — Organizers of a children's event called "Drag Queen Story Hour," which has generated protests at a Port Richey book store, want to move it to a public building in New Port Richey.

Recent angry protests outside the Port Richey business, Paperback Exchange Bookstore, led the event's organizer to seek a different location for the story hour. They chose Peace Hall, a city-owned historic former church that is now an event rental hall, adjacent to New Port Richey's popular Sims and Orange Lake parks in the heart of downtown.

The story hour seemed to have found a new home when the hall was booked for six months, said Nina Borders, president of Pasco Pride, which wants to hold the event monthly. But now, Borders said, the city is asking for a special-event permit, which she said other renters for small events don't have to obtain. When issuing such a permit, the city estimates costs for police and other factors and may assess the applicant for that.

City officials disagreed that Pasco Pride was singled out, saying the group advertised the event as open to the public, and there are security concerns.

Borders told council members that as soon as she booked Peace Hall for Pasco Pride's most "family-friendly event," hate emerged.

"The second I did that, and I opened the flood gates, you saw the hate that was here," she said.

The possibility that protestors may come is not a reason Pasco Pride should have to get a special permit for an event expected to draw 10 to 15 people, Borders said.

"Saying that our safety is a concern because of other people's actions and then punishing us for that, I will be very clear — that is the wrong move," she said. "And I honestly think that is discriminatory."

Several supporters of the story hour spoke to council members, including event story reader Stephanie Stuart, a self-proclaimed drag queen, who said she believes in empowering children.

"Before I start my reading, I inform the children and let them know that if I can stand before you at this age as a transgender drag queen woman reading you stories, there is nothing in life you can't do," Stuart said.

Two people spoke in opposition, including Deb Maxwell, who protested the event on religious grounds, saying it creates "confusion for children as to their sex."

Resident Regan Weiss called for a change of venue for the story hour. Intense protest, though wrong, he said, is something he does not want to see in a public park where his children play.

"All this is going to do is bring everyone out and cause animosity and negativity," he said.

New Port Richey City Manager Debbie Manns told the Tampa Bay Times that she determined the need for a special-event permit because Pasco Pride began advertising the story hour as a public event. That put it under the parameters of the city's special-event ordinances, which establish a plan for police and fire coverage.

During the meeting, Mayor Rob Marlowe said he agreed with Manns' determination, especially in light of the barrage of protest emails sent to City Hall and to council members opposing the event.

"Regardless of the size of the event, as a publicly promoted event, it was very clear that we were going to pick up protestors and have to deal with the police and other security concerns," Marlowe said.

No action was taken Tuesday, as the discussion took place during the public comment portion of the agenda.

After the meeting, Borders told the Tampa Bay Times that Pasco Pride plans to apply for the special-event permit and is meeting with lawyers about possible legal action against the city.