Full Breakdown
New York House Candidates Vow to Seek Federal Funding for Drag Story Hour Amid $700,000 Local Investment
5/26/2026, 8:51:25 PM
Democratic Primary Candidates Vow to Seek Federal Funding for Drag Story Hour
Incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman and former city Comptroller Brad Lander, the two contenders in New York’s 10th-district Democratic primary, told the Jim Owles LGBT Liberal Democratic Club they will pursue federal appropriations for Drag Story Hour if elected to the U.S. House. Their pledge follows nearly $700,000 in city-state spending on the program over the past decade.
Program Overview and Local Funding
Drag Story Hour is run by the nonprofit Drag Artists for Expression NYC (formerly Drag Story Hour NYC) and partners with 128 schools and more than 90 public libraries. The organization’s website says its readings “celebrate gender diversity…to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves.” Local funding includes $367,000 from the Department of Youth and Community Development and $204,500 from the New York State Council on the Arts. In 2025 the program logged 165 readings that reached over 5,000 youth, including school, library, bilingual and foster-care sessions.
Official Statements & Responses
Goldman said that once Democrats regain control of the House, he “cannot wait to fund programs like Drag Story Hours and other programs,” and he would welcome the chance to host an event. Lander’s campaign echoed this, indicating that federal support for Drag Story Hour would accompany his broader agenda on affordable housing, health care, child care, USAID, libraries and the arts. The nonprofit frames the readings as a tool for empathy and gender-diversity education.
Criticism & Opposition
The program has faced protests, bomb threats and parental complaints about lack of consent. Republican pollster John McLaughlin called the Democratic push for federal funding “outrageous” and “bizarre,” arguing that “the vast majority of Americans don’t want taxpayer dollars used to indoctrinate children with gender ideology.” New York State Conservative Party chair Gerard Kassar labeled the proposed spending “a very inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars” and “pushing extremism.” GOP strategists say the issue will be a focal point in upcoming congressional races.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Program officials claim the readings foster empathy and reduce discrimination, while critics label them ideological indoctrination. No independent studies have been cited to assess the program’s impact on attitudes or academic outcomes, leaving an evidentiary gap for both sides.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Unfortunately, the Majority does not allow funding from Members of Congress to support LGBTQIA+ programming,” — Dan Goldman, Rep. (questionnaire response)
- “Once we take back the House, I certainly cannot wait to fund programs like Drag Story Hours and other programs,” — Dan Goldman, Rep.
- “to funding affordable housing, health care, child care, USAID, libraries, and lots of arts and culture programs, most certainly including Drag Story Hour.” — Brad Lander spokesperson, campaign statement
- “Through fun and fabulous educational experiences, our programs celebrate gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable,” — Drag Artists for Expression NYC, website
- “The vast majority of Americans don’t want taxpayer dollars used to indoctrinate children with gender ideology,” — John McLaughlin, Republican pollster
What’s Next
The June 2026 primary will decide which candidate advances to the November midterms. If Democrats regain the House, both candidates have pledged to introduce legislation directing federal resources to Drag Story Hour, a move likely to spark further partisan debate and potential legal challenges over the use of federal funds for culturally contested programs.
