{"id":12525,"date":"2022-05-28T00:43:16","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T00:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/05\/28\/ramstein-rethinks-pride-month-events-after-critics-bash-drag-queen-story-time-for-kids\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:18:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:18:37","slug":"ramstein-rethinks-pride-month-events-after-critics-bash-drag-queen-story-time-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/2022\/05\/28\/ramstein-rethinks-pride-month-events-after-critics-bash-drag-queen-story-time-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramstein rethinks Pride Month events after critics bash \u2018Drag Queen Story Time\u2019 for kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>[Editor\u2019s note: this story was update late Friday with the Air Force\u2019s response.]<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ramstein Air Base in Germany is reworking its Pride Month festivities after critics, including a Republican senator, complained that a drag queen was picked to read to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ramstein, the largest American air base in Germany and headquarters of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, was slated to host local drag queen Stacey Teed at a 30-minute story time event for kids at an on-base library, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/webcache.googleusercontent.com\/search?q=cache%3A3va4AERS-bAJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fevents%2F1457739341311627%3Fref%3Dnewsfeed%20&#038;cd=2&#038;hl=en&#038;ct=clnk&#038;gl=us\" target=\"_blank\">since-deleted Facebook event<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBe sure to wear your brightest and most colorful outfits!\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/05\/27\/lgbtq-indigenous-task-forces-want-to-light-a-fire-to-get-things-changed\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1000w_q95-17.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">LGBTQ, indigenous task forces want to \u2018light a fire to get things changed\u2019<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Leaders of the Air Force&#039;s two new minority policy groups outlined their next steps to improve life for the LGBTQ and indigenous communities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the event created a furor. Chief among its opponents was Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who confirmed the Air Force had canceled \u201cDrag Queen Story Time\u201d the same week he wrote to Secretary Frank Kendall demanding the service \u201cimmediately cancel this politically divisive event, and take appropriate disciplinary action against all involved in allowing this gross abuse of taxpayer funding to place children in a sexualized environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio also asked Kendall how many events \u201cinvolving drag queens spending time around children\u201d have been held on American military installations around the world, and what resources have been used to hold them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDecisions over children and their bodies should be left to moms and dads serving our nation,\u201d Rubio wrote Thursday. \u201cThe last thing parents serving their nation overseas should be worried about, particularly in a theater with heightened geopolitical tensions, is whether their children are being exposed to sexually charged content simply because they visited their local library.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/04\/27\/new-air-force-teams-to-look-at-lgbtq-indigenous-inclusion-issues\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"215\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/200603-F-RF516-1009.jfif_.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">New Air Force teams to look at LGBTQ, indigenous inclusion issues<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Air Force is adding two new groups to its slate of teams working to create equitable policies for minority employees, this time focusing on the LGBTQ and native communities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His opposition comes amid a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2022\/05\/11\/1096623939\/accusations-grooming-political-attack-homophobic-origins\" target=\"_blank\">spike in baseless accusations<\/a> of LGBTQ people \u201cgrooming\u201d or befriending children with the intent to sexually abuse them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s story time, not RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race,\u201d said Natalie Ricketts, a member of the Ramstein community who created a <a href=\"http:\/\/change.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Change.org<\/a> petition to reinstate the events. \u201cStacey Teed isn\u2019t a sexualized name, nor would they wear the same clothes [to the reading that] they would for a show.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Ramstein officials, the planned event was not properly vetted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAn advertisement was posted to the base library social media page before&nbsp;the event had completed Ramstein\u2019s established processes for special observance coordination and approval,\u201d said Lt. Col. Will Powell, chief of public affairs for the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein. \u201cThe advertisement has been removed and&nbsp;the event will not take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRamstein leaders strive to foster a culture&nbsp;based on inclusion where all people are treated with dignity and respect,&nbsp;regardless of their political views, color of their skin or sexual&nbsp;orientation,\u201d he said. \u201cThe base\u2019s established processes will ensure all future special&nbsp;observance events are properly reviewed and approved prior to advertisement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRamstein leaders continue to support LGBTQ+ related events, and coordinators&nbsp;are currently in the process of planning other Pride events for June. More&nbsp;details will be made available once final decisions have been made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/opinion\/2022\/02\/17\/overcoming-fear-can-open-a-world-of-opportunity\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dr-daroff.png.png?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Overcoming fear can open a world of opportunity<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Service members know very well that fear can be an adaptive emotional response to a potentially dangerous situation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drag is the centuries-long practice of dressing in exaggerated makeup and clothing of the opposite sex, most commonly used in theater and other stage performances. It\u2019s often on display during Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month events, held worldwide each June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York that served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement. Pride Month also celebrates the community\u2019s contributions and remembers those killed in hate crimes or by HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Military organizations have started hosting Pride events in the decade since the \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d policy banning openly gay service members ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year, Ricketts wrote in the petition, the 86th Mission Support Group commander canceled all Pride events unless they are rebranded without drag queens.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/05\/13\/transgender-airmen-guardians-guaranteed-equal-opportunity-under-new-policy\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1000w_q95-8-1.jpg-1.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Transgender airmen, guardians guaranteed equal opportunity under new policy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">\u201cDiverse backgrounds, beliefs and experiences make us a stronger workforce,\u201d said acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs John Fedrigo.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reason for this is because the [public affairs chief] received a lot of angry emails from \u2018taxpaying Americans\u2019 \u2026 most of which aren\u2019t stationed here,\u201d said Ricketts, whose public LinkedIn profile shows she served as an active duty geospatial intelligence analyst before joining the Air Force Reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPer the [86th Airlift] Wing \u2026 \u2018You can do the event but remove the drag queen [and] have someone \u2018normal\u2019 reading the stories,\u2019\u201d said Ricketts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"http:\/\/change.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Change.org<\/a> petition, which had gathered more than 140 digital signatures as of Friday afternoon, the library will only hold Pride story time if a drag queen participates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Objections centered on the library gathering but allegedly led to a blanket ban from local leadership on any drag-related event. Pride was slated to kick off next week with a karaoke event run by drag queens at the base\u2019s enlisted club, Ricketts said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2021\/06\/02\/we-must-push-toward-protecting-lgbtq-service-members-at-home\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1052957428.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">We must push toward protecting LGBTQ service members at home<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">As the 10th anniversary of the repeal of &quot;don&#039;t ask, don&#039;t tell&quot; nears, we must ensure LGBTQ service members are not discriminated against, says the author of this commentary.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ricketts disputed the idea that the event would involve anything untoward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201cMonarchy of RoyalTea,\u201d a drag group in the Kaiserslautern military community that holds performances and events like holiday drag brunches, is losing out on funds it would have received for working at Pride Month activities, she said. Most of the drag queens are enlisted members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A note anonymously posted to the popular Facebook page \u201cAir Force amn\/nco\/snco\u201d, which airs airmen\u2019s questions and gripes and shares news articles, said those involved with Ramstein Pride are working with the Air Force\u2019s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer\/Questioning Initiative Team; the Modern Military Association of America, an advocacy group for LGBTQ service members; and 86th Force Support Squadron on a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are deeply disappointed that discrimination like this continues to be tolerated,\u201d the note said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Objections centered on the library gathering but allegedly have led to a blanket ban from local leadership on any drag-related Pride Month event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":28722,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":12,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[100,23,93,12,25],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3404],"class_list":["post-12525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-home","category-middle-column","category-news","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"TCQSCVYHNVEBLIYRP3I7A7SVJA","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/05\/27\/ramstein-rethinks-pride-month-events-after-critics-bash-drag-queen-story-time-for-kids\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ramstein rethinks Pride Month events after critics bash \u2018Drag Queen Story Time\u2019 for kids - Army Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Objections centered on the library gathering but allegedly have led to a blanket ban from local leadership on any drag-related Pride Month event.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ramstein rethinks Pride Month events after critics bash \u2018Drag Queen Story Time\u2019 for kids\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Objections centered on the library gathering but allegedly have led to a blanket ban from local leadership on any drag-related Pride Month event.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/2022\/05\/28\/ramstein-rethinks-pride-month-events-after-critics-bash-drag-queen-story-time-for-kids\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Army Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-05-28T00:43:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-07T20:18:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rachel S. Cohen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rachel S. 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