Bookstore is the last to cancel the launch of a drag queen book in Mobile: “Deep-rooted bigotry,” says author

The author of a book that would have been presented during a book launch and a Drag Queen Story Hour reading at two different locations in Mobile blames “deep-rooted fanaticism” and “MAGA extremists” for the consequences.

Josh Coleman, the LGBTQ liaison for the city of Birmingham, said in a Facebook post Thursday that “persistent and escalating threats” had led to the postponement of Friday’s event at Books-A-Million (BAM!). Coleman said BAM! decided to cancel the event. A company spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

The cancellation came a day after Oyster City Brewing backed out of hosting Coleman’s book launch and Drag Queen Story reading amid threats to its employees. That event was also scheduled to feature Alabama TikTok star “Mama Tot” as a guest, but she too decided to cancel.

“The attacks have gone too far,” Coleman said in a Facebook post while promoting his children’s book, “Finding My Rainbow,” in which he tells his story of coming out and “coming to terms with who I am, how I grew up and moved to Birmingham and what I do now, focusing on Pride and living my authentic self.”

Coleman continued: “The relentless hatred and harassment we face demonstrates the deep-rooted bigotry that still plagues our society. This extremist has orchestrated a campaign to silence us, but he has only strengthened our resolve.”

“While this event will not take place in Mobile this Friday, rest assured that we are already planning to reschedule,” Coleman wrote. “We will return to Mobile with the same format, including a Drag Queen Story Time to celebrate our community and share our stories.”

Coleman said Wednesday that a protest against Oyster City Brewing’s event was organized by someone involved in the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Darren Sweeney, who organized the protest, said he was interested in speaking to Coleman to “explain to him that I am not an extremist in any way.” He said his group has no objection to an individual’s lifestyle, acknowledging that Mobile is constantly home to drag queen shows and brunches and that many businesses support the LGBTQ community.

“We never even considered protesting at these events because they are adult events and we respect that,” Sweeney said. However, he said his group “draws the line” when children are involved, claiming that such events allow people to “target and publicly abuse other parents’ prepubescent children.”

“We as parents should feel an obligation to protect a child’s innocence for as long as possible,” Sweeney said.

He said he would prefer if Coleman and others held events with children in their homes rather than in public.

The comments come amid a growing backlash in conservative states against establishments that host drag queen events in front of children. In recent years, legislation has been introduced banning all public drag shows in front of minors. And in the lead-up to the 2025 session, Republican Rep. Arnold Mooney of Indian Springs has introduced HB4, which would likely ban drag performances in libraries or schools.

The Mobile episode comes nearly six years after the city’s library system hosted one of the South’s first Drag Queen Story Hour events at the library’s Ben May main branch — about a block from Oyster City Brewing.

That September 2018 event featured many LGBTQ activists and supporters, but few protesters. Back then, there was nowhere near as much conservative backlash against drag shows.

Coleman said it was important to recognize that the events were designed to “promote literacy, acceptance and appreciation of diversity in a safe and inclusive environment.”

“It’s not about manipulating or targeting children, it’s about instilling a love of reading and teaching them values ​​like inclusion and respect for all,” Coleman said. “Public events like Drag Queen Story Hour are a reflection of our diverse society and the values ​​we hold – acceptance, education and community engagement. They provide a space for all families to share experiences and learn from each other. Private events would exclude those who could most benefit from these lessons about acceptance and diversity.”