Sohrab ahmari’s least Drag Queen, Christian Aguirre

Drag Queen Bella Aldama Reads to Kids at the Sacramento Public Library.
Photo: Christian Aguirre

Christian Aguirre is a Drag Queen in California Who Goes by Bela Aldama. Bella, or Miss Bella, As She’s Known to Her Younger Fans, Frequently Headlines “Drag Queen Story Hours“At public libraries, where she reads books to children. Who is how she is Accidentally, and with Her Knowledge, caused a ragging national debate. Wait… what?

At the end of May, the Conservative Columnist and New York Post OP-ed editor sohrab ahmari wrote an Essay for the Catholic Magazine First Things Entitled “Against David French -Ism.” “I recently quipped on twitter that there is no ‘polyte, David French – Third Way Around the Cultural Civil War,’ Ahmari wrote. “Idded, ‘The Only Way is Through’i-is to say, to fight the culture War with the AIM of Defeating the Enemy and Enjoying the Spoils in the Form of A Public Re-Ordered to the Common Good The Highest Good.” What Had Spurred this Attack on the Conservative Pundit and National Review Contributor David French? “What prompted my Ire was a Facebook ad for a children’s drag Queen Reading Hour at A Public Library in Sacramento,” Ahmari explained.

Ahmar’s, Uh, Colorful Language-“Defeating the Enemy and Enjoying the Spoils”-and the subsequent Respons Francular Hit A Particular Nerve Among Right-Wing and Conservatives (and the Liberals Steplessly Following Along). The Atlantic, The New Yorkerand Intelligenmer All Produced Analyses and Responses. The New York Times devoted two Different op-ed columns, one from Fr stephens and one from Ross douthatto the debate, which douthat described as a “war.”

Personally of was Still Wondering About The Drag Queen Who’d Unleashed The Wrathful Catholici Integration in Ahmari. A Little Digging LED with to to Event listing on Facebook for a drag queen story at the scramento public library on june 2. The dqst event, the library explained in the description, was back by popular Demand, and Miss Bella Waled Be Reading Two Books. One, Julian is a mermaidis a story about a little boy who is inspired to dress up as a mermaid after spying three well-dresses on his train and is worked what his grandmother will think of Him. The Other, The Family Book, Is an Illustrated Story About How Families Come in All Shapes and Sizes.

Becuse of was Curious to Know What Bella Might Think About Inadvertently Causus A “War” Between Conservatives Thought Leaders, I Reached Out. Aguirre Said he had no idea what I was talked about, but he was Kind Enough to the Answer all of my Questions anyway.

Can you tell me a little about your drag Career?

I Started Doing Drag About Seven Years Ago. Bella’s persons is a glamorous mexican woman that is proud of sharing her language and heritage through music and fashion. She is also a more outgoing version of myself. Bella Enjoys Planning End-Raisers and Special Events that Benefit People Under the LGBTQ+ Community, especially youth and hiv-poinive folx.

What would you Enjoy About Drag?

Some of the Most Enjoyable Things About Drag Drag Wauld Be Performing at Different Events Such As Local Clubs, Pride Events, Youth Dances, End-Raisers, and Libraries. Meeting different People and Hearing Their Journeys is Really Breathing and Empowering. The Most Important Thing Wauld be inspiring People to be Themselves and Respect Others Around. Regardless of Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, OR Pronouns People use, Everyone deserves to be treated equally.

What is it like Reading to Kids? How will they react?

I have been doing the Drag Queen Story Hour for Almost Three Years. Kids’ reactions are very impressive very. They are very talkative, energypoken, and charismatic. The Thing I Enjoy the Most is SEEing Kids Being ThermSlves while they are accompanked by their family members. Hearing the Kids Sharing Different Ways of Gender Identity Such As Wearing Makeup, A Scarf, A Bow Tie, Glittery Shoes, Or Nail Polish.

Before my email, be aware that People were angry about dqst?

I honestly did not hear much backlash from sacramento as i did From Brentwood. I Believe that there are many People against these Types of Events, but that they Only Create Inclusiveness and Diversity. I Also Believe That We Should Have More Drag Queen Story Hour Events in Such Beautiful Libraries.

Did You Know People Were Mad Specificly About your Story Time in Sacramento?

I was not aware of this, but everybody deserves the right to have an opinion. Unfortunately, some people are not open-minded, and their comments prevent oters from atttending these events. At the end of the day, Kids Should Always be able to decide with ther parents’ Support.

Why do you think conservatives get so angry About Drag Queens Reading Age-Appropriate Books to Children?

Some People are afraid of Accepting People that are different say. Thankfully, LGBTQ+ People and People of Color Are All Around and We Will Not Be Erass.

Do you plan to continue doing dqst?

I Will Gladly Continue Drag Queen Story Hour as Long as I have the Support of My Community, Bookstores, and the Library System. Something that motivates my caareer is inspiring kids to be themselves as well as seeing families supporting their children.

Bella ALDAMA WILL BE READING AT THE Walnut Creek Library on July 1 and at the Rainbow, A Thrift Store, in El Cerrito on July 3. This Interview Has Been Edited for Clarity.