Storytime

“Storytime” examines the participants and protesters of drag story hour, a flashpoint in the battle over LGBTQ+ rights. The documentary follows two New Yorkers:

• Bear Spiegel, a drag artist and reader at Drag Story Hour NYC, views storytelling as a way to foster acceptance and broaden the imagination of young audiences.

• Amaya Perez, the New York chapter leader of the extremist group Gays Against Groomers (as identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center), who argues these performances expose children to inappropriate content under the guise of inclusion.

Through in-depth interviews and extraordinary access to protests, “Storytime” delves into Amaya's personal motivations and the broader fears that drive anti-drag protests. Conversely, Bear brings viewers into the world of drag, clarifying misconceptions — even within his own family — that reveal the stark contrast between stereotypes and the realities of drag performance.

Guided by journalist Imara Jones, the film combines candid interviews, social media snapshots, and raw footage of protests to explore how drag story hours have become entangled in a larger cultural conflict over identity, family and public values. Rather than offering easy answers, “Storytime” invites viewers to confront the forces shaping our understanding of community, inclusion and the growing divide over who gets to define these terms.

Screens live on SATURDAY, Dec. 7

Q&A with filmmakers to follow

Filmmakers