Flame
1:33:51
Shall I go first?
1:33:56
Well, hello, and good afternoon.
1:33:58
My name is Flame, and in you can't tell from my ensemble, I am a storyteller with Drake Story Hour NYC.
1:34:03
I wanna thank you for this opportunity to submit my testimony.
1:34:07
Direct Story Hour NYC's mission is to produce storytelling and creative arts programming for children, teens, and represented by local dragged artists like myself in libraries, in schools, and other community spaces in all five boroughs of New York City.
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In and virtually as well.
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Our programs celebrate gender diversity in all forms and all differences It's to build it helps to build empathy for kids and gives them the confidence to express themselves however they're most comfortable.
1:34:41
Banding books at public libraries serves absolutely no purpose for progress in our world.
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Banning ideas and information does not ban experience.
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But it does create a deconst decontextualized experience, which is harmful and build true empathy, forward movement, and supportive networks.
1:35:02
Much of the contents of book banning books that are banned continues to circle around LGBT plus issues and identities of black indigenous and people of color.
1:35:14
In 2023, over 1500 books, 1500 plus books were banned across America with an increasing number of of them in the docket for review now as we speak.
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As an organization, we continue to stand with our local libraries against book banning.
1:35:32
At Direct Story Hour NYC, we will stand firm in continuing to read and offer banned books in our programming, work with libraries and offering readings of banned bugs and working with community based organizations, local groups, and publishers to ensure access to answer deletion of banned books.
1:35:55
Drag story, our NYC request that the city honor the request of the public libraries, which include allowing for libraries to serve as facilitators of free and open exchange asserting the tradition of showcasing the stories and perspectives of marginalized communities and restoration of all library funds.
1:36:19
As an organization, we stand righteous with the libraries including New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library.
1:36:29
Thank you for your time and consider on behalf of drag story hour NYC.
