Protest Outside NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s Home

BY ZOFEEN MASQOOD

NEW YORK, NY- A group of protestors shouted slurs and scribbled homophobic content outside Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s Queens home on Martin Luther King Day. Krishnan, who represents District 25 in the city, saw that some people had gathered to shout slurs and vandalize the sidewalks right outside his home. The protestors were opposing the Indian American politicians’ support for the Drag Story hour.

Krishnan said, “After a meaningful day of reflection on Dr. King, I came home to homophobic and transphobic protesters outside my door, again, vandalizing the sidewalk & shouting slurs with my children inside. This disgusting behavior is another reminder of the work ahead of us.”

Protestors called the council member a pedophile and a groomer. They also scribbled groomers on the pavement right outside his home. Another scrawl on the sidewalk read: “Shekar funds Drag Story Hour.” Some protestors held umbrellas that read: “Let kids be kids.” Another message read: “Drag is not for the kids.” A woman held a placard saying, “Stop taking children’s innocence away.”

Drag Story Hour protests are on the rise in New York City. The demonstrators have been opposing the inclusion of drag artists reading stories to kids in public libraries expanding to other public places.