Drag artists Eric BigClit and Vicky Voyage show themselves on Instagram with some provocative photos. In the Munich City Library, they read aloud to children. © Collage Screenshots Instagram vicky.voyage (left, 10.02.23) and alicemoe_ericbigcltdrag (right, 01.01.23)
A drag reading for children in the Munich City Library is causing harsh criticism. Aiwanger speaks of "child welfare endangerment". The CSU wants to ban the reading right away. Now, artists Eric BigClit and Vicky Voyage are speaking out about the allegations.
Munich – Actually, it's about education and gender diversity, but a reading on the Internet is currently reaping waves of hatred: The Munich City Library is planning an event for June 13 in which two drag artists and a trans woman will read aloud to children from the age of four. The topic is met with harsh criticism. Hubert Aiwanger, the chairman of the Free Voters, even speaks of "child welfare endangerment". Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) also takes a negative attitude towards the reading. The CSU in the district committee of Bogenhausen is already calling for a ban on the reading.
On the website of the city library, on the other hand, the offer seems harmless. "We read you the world as you like it" is supposed to be about stories that break with gender stereotypes. At the request of Merkur.de, both the city library and two of the participating artists respond to the allegations.
Drag reading in the Munich City Library: Eric Big Clit comments on allegations
"I don't understand why people are worried about people in disguise reading books to children. Traditionally, St. Nicholas does the same," Eric BigClit, whose real name is Alice Moe Möschl and comes from Austria, tells our editors. On Instagram, Möschl describes himself as a "Drag King Monster" and presents himself as such: in extremely colorful, often monstrous and sexualized costumes. At first glance, it seems quite understandable that politicians and Internet users are shocked by such images.
Möschl, on the other hand, emphasizes that Instagram is an age-restricted platform – the framework is crucial. According to official guidelines, Instagram is only allowed from the age of 13. "Children have no place there. As an artist and adult, I get to portray different roles at the appropriate events. At a children's book reading, for example, it's in a prince costume with Disney books." The drag king can understand that some of his fictional characters "simply overwhelm." However, he assures "that such a thing is never presented at a reading. For what purpose?!"
Drag artist: "I am humanly and professionally suitable"
According to the description of the city library, the stories are supposed to be about, among other things, "boys in dresses, princesses with their own will, the colors blue and pink". This will be followed by an exchange with the readers. Möschl feels quite qualified to familiarize children with the topics of gender identity and diversity.
Munich City Library: "We read you the world as you like it"
The drag reading for children is scheduled to take place on June 13 from 16 p.m. in the Bogenhausen City Library. Drag queen Vicky Voyage from Munich, drag king Eric BigClit from Linz and trans woman and young author Julana Gleisenberg will read aloud. They should take you into "colorful worlds that show what life has in store for you, regardless of gender." The reading is intended for families and children from the age of four. Admission is free.
At the request of Merkur.de, the city library also clarifies: "We regret that the artist names of the participants and the reporting in Bild give the impression that a travesty program for adults is being presented. This was never planned."
The drag king studied social work and works with youth groups in Linz. "I was asked because I myself have a drag background with many roles and also come from social work and youth work. I am humanly and professionally suited and enjoy spreading joy."
Vicky Voyage explains to our editorial team why it is important to her to perform as a drag queen in front of a young audience: "I already regularly read children's books with queer or alternative perspectives at the adult show Cabaret con Carne. Afterwards, I am often asked, especially by parents, whether this offer is also available for children." She herself was "totally surprised that the children's event is misused by individuals for opinion-making, thus sparking a discussion taken out of context". The costume that the drag queen from Munich, whose real name is Markus Weis, wants to wear at the reading, will "probably go more in the direction of fairy tales. That's why freedom of movement probably won't play a role."
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Criticism from politicians: "This is endangering the welfare of the child and a case for the youth welfare office"
On the other hand, there is a hail of criticism of the planned reading from various parties. "Four-year-olds should play with building blocks or clay and not be indoctrinated with woker early sexualization," writes Martin Huber, CSU general secretary, on Twitter. Munich's mayor, Dieter Reiter (SPD), said at the request of the Bild newspaper: "I have no understanding for this kind of program. [...] I wouldn't go with my grandchildren."
Aiwanger uses Halloween costume photo in tweet against drag queen reading
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters), also called for the event to be stopped. "This is a threat to the welfare of the child and a case for the youth welfare office, not cosmopolitanism, as the Greens trivialize." He shares a creepy-looking photo of Vicky Voyage on Twitter, but leaves out the fact that it is a Halloween costume. One user then commented under the drag queen's post: "I wonder what people here are afraid of at such a reading. It's probably just a matter of getting political attention and fuelling his 'extreme' voters."
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Psychology's point of view: Traumatization of children is unlikely
From the point of view of psychology, various points of view have been expressed in previous media reports. Child and adolescent therapist Dr. Christian Lüdke told Bild: "From a child and adolescent therapy point of view, I think that's too early. Children are occupied with dad, mom, games and friends until the age of 10 – they do not enter puberty until they are 11 or 12 years old. Only then do they deal with sexuality and gender identity." He would not attend the event with four-year-olds.
In Austria, too, drag readings have already taken place in front of children – and here, too, they have caused a media outcry. The Standard therefore interviewed Caroline Culen, psychologist and managing director of the Austrian League for Child and Adolescent Health. According to her, only adults perceive a drag artist directly through the lens of sexuality. "That's why it's important to look at drag queens through children's eyes: they are wildly made-up, colorfully dressed people. Without any judgement." She says: "I think it's very unlikely that children could be traumatised by an event with drag queens."
You can find even more up-to-date news from Munich and the region on tz.de/muenchen.