Ten years ago, a spark of glitter and imagination lit up the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL)—and Drag Story Hour (DSH) was born. Soon, that spark will return home. On Sunday, December 14, 2025, there will be a full day of stories, songs, crafts, performances, and magical surprises at the SFPL Main Branch during the celebration of ten years of storytelling, creativity, and queer joy. Come sing, dance, and create alongside the original storytellers and the new voices who have carried DSH across the world. The event is free. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/48nvsjW
A Movement Born in San Francisco
Drag Story Hour was created in 2015 by writer Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, under the leadership of Julián Delgado Lopera and Virgie Tovar. What began as drag queens reading books to children in libraries quickly blossomed into a global phenomenon.
Today, DSH programs are led by drag queens, kings, and all royal beings, offering literary and creative programming for kids and audiences of all ages. Over the past decade, what started in San Francisco has grown into a national nonprofit with an international network of local chapters—each independently run yet united by the mission to inspire imagination, self-expression, and acceptance.
Celebrating with Icons and Trailblazers
This anniversary event will reunite original storytellers from the Bay Area, including beloved local icon Per Sia, the very first drag queen to read for Drag Story Hour. Storytellers from founding chapters across the country, including representatives from Indigenous Drag Story Hour, will also join the festivities, making this celebration a once-in-a-decade gathering of DSH’s most dazzling voices.
On October 29, Mayor Lurie named Per Sia as San Francisco’s second drag laureate, serving as an ambassador for the Art of Drag performance, San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ culture and community, and the city’s nightlife and entertainment scene. The San Francisco Drag Laureate position grew out of the city’s LGBTQ+ cultural heritage strategy, a community-driven effort to honor legacy, nurture well-being, promote economic opportunity, and ensure the longevity of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community.
“As San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, Per Sia will lead the way for new representation that uplifts and highlights the storied drag history of our city and the significant contributions of the trans and entire LGBTQ+ community to San Francisco,” said Mayor Lurie. “Our city is known all over the world as a place where people are allowed to be who they want to be, love who they want to love, and live the lives they choose without fear of persecution. I look forward to working with Per Sia to support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community.”
“As a trans educator and drag performer, I’ve faced many challenges, but this city has given me the freedom to be fully myself,” said Per Sia. “Despite the chaos in the world, I promise to keep bringing joy, queer joy, all the joy, through drag and storytelling. I want to celebrate the drag community that has uplifted, inspired, and carried me. Can’t wait to get to work! Just wait and see!”
See Per Sia along with other Drag Story Hour luminaries at the 10th Anniversary celebration on December 14. For more information: https://bit.ly/4pcusX3
Arts & Entertainment
Published on December 4, 2025
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