‘Queer Visitors’ Book Club Brings Drag and Oz-Inspired Magic to LGBTQ+ Adults

Drag Story Hour, the beloved nonprofit known for its vibrant drag performances and children’s literacy events, is expanding its mission with the launch of ‘Queer Visitors,’ a book club designed specifically for LGBTQ+ adults and allies. Beginning in September, the club will host monthly gatherings—both online and in person—centered around classic works of fantasy literature, with each session hosted by a drag performer and featuring VIP guests. This innovative project marks the organization’s first foray into adult programming, broadening the scope of its community-building initiatives beyond the children’s events that first made it famous .

The name ‘Queer Visitors’ draws inspiration from a 1904 comic strip, “Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, in which the term “queer” signified something magical and extraordinary. By revisiting this heritage, the book club seeks to reclaim and celebrate the multifaceted meanings of queerness, infusing each meeting with a sense of wonder and affirmation .

The inaugural reading list, running from September through December, features four fantasy classics, beginning with Baum’s own “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” By delving into Oz’s themes of self-acceptance, found family, and transformation, participants are invited to draw parallels between the journeys of Baum’s characters and contemporary queer experiences .

Unlike many LGBTQ+ social spaces that revolve around nightlife or bars, ‘Queer Visitors’ offers an alternative for those seeking community, creativity, and connection in a more accessible and affirming setting. “Think of Oprah’s Book Club, but gay,” said Jonathan Hamilt, communications director and cofounder of Drag Story Hour. Hamilt emphasized that the club was created for adults who may be sober, have family commitments, or simply prefer a daytime gathering to late-night events. “It’s Drag Story Hour for adults, essentially. You can build community and experience drag in a fun way, for adults,” he explained .

The monthly format allows for flexibility: readers can join virtual sessions via Zoom, attend local in-person gatherings at independent bookstores and community venues, or participate in hybrid events hosted by local drag artists. This approach aims to make the club accessible to people of all backgrounds, including those outside major urban centers .

Drag Story Hour has long championed gender diversity and LGBTQ+ visibility through storytelling, offering children and families positive, glamorous, and unabashedly queer role models . With ‘Queer Visitors,’ the organization is extending this mission to adult audiences, using literature as a catalyst for dialogue, self-reflection, and collective empowerment.

Jonathan Hamilt noted that the club’s intergenerational reach is intentional, providing a bridge between the playfulness of childhood story hours and the more nuanced conversations that adults can have about identity, resilience, and the power of chosen family. By centering drag as both performance and pedagogy, the club highlights the transformative potential of queer art and literature in cultivating empathy and self-understanding .

The decision to begin with “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is no accident. The Oz series has a long-standing resonance within LGBTQ+ communities, inspiring generations with its celebration of difference, courage, and the search for belonging. The book club will explore how the narrative’s themes—such as Dorothy’s quest for home and her friendships with outcasts—mirror the lived experiences of many LGBTQ+ individuals .

Future selections promise to continue this tradition, spotlighting fantasy classics that evoke the magic, resilience, and diversity of queer communities. Each meeting will include live readings, interactive discussions, and opportunities for attendees to share personal reflections, all in an atmosphere of affirmation and celebration .

Accessibility is central to the club’s vision. By leveraging hybrid events and partnerships with indie bookstores, Drag Story Hour is working to ensure that LGBTQ+ adults across the country—and potentially internationally—can participate. The organization’s website (dragstoryhour.org) provides details on upcoming sessions, reading lists, and ways to get involved. Local venues are encouraged to host their own watch parties or invite drag performers for in-person readings, further amplifying the reach and impact of the program .

‘Queer Visitors’ represents a significant step forward in LGBTQ+ cultural programming, offering a new model for literary engagement that is explicitly inclusive, celebratory, and rooted in queer history. As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric persist in some regions, affirming spaces like these are vital for fostering resilience, solidarity, and joy .

Participants and organizers alike hope that the club will inspire similar initiatives elsewhere, demonstrating the power of literature—and drag—to unite, heal, and empower LGBTQ+ people of all backgrounds. As Drag Story Hour prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, ‘Queer Visitors’ stands as a testament to the enduring value of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of queer imagination .