SJMA debuts a special limited series (June 9, 16, 23, 30), in partnership with Drag Queen Story Hour to celebrate Pride Month – grab your lunch, turn off notifications, silence your inbox and enjoy Art-themed, children's book readings to celebrate imagination, inclusivity, diversity, unity, and love from Drag Queen extraordinaire Grace Towers, Per Sia, and Black Benatar. Program is for all-ages–grab the kiddies from the next room to join you! Curated book selections are courtesy of the San José Public Library (SJPL) and DQSH-SF.

On June 23, Black Benatar reads Gayle E. Pitman's This Day in June and Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's Josephine Baker - (Little People, Big Dreams). Happening on Facebook Live and Instagram Live:

About our Readers

Grace Towers in her unwavering commitment to community encourages self-acceptance, creative expression, body positivity, and the use of DRAG as a portal for change—all with effortless Grace, style, and poise.

Per Sia is an educator in residence at the Children's After School Arts (CASA) program in the San Francisco Unified School District and recently profiled on KQED Arts and National Public Radio.

Black Benatar (Beatrice Thomas) is director of Authentic Arts & Media, a national multi-disciplinary artist, cultural strategist, creative producer, and director of the SF chapter of DQSH. Whether through creative production, consulting or equity, diversity, and inclusion workshops, Mx. Thomas' focus is on uplifting and centering queer, transgender, and POC voices with special attention to creating queer-inclusive family programming.

San José Public Library Booklist

Compiled by librarian Tiffany E. Garcia for Pride Celebration Lunchtime Storytime with Drag Queen Story Hour as part of SJMA’s #MuseumFromHome online public programs

A selection of these books will be read during the special limited series program.