Drag Queen Who Routinely Poses Half Nude Performed for Children in Richfield

October 2, 2019October 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A drag performer who routinely poses half-nude recently performed for toddlers as part of Hennepin County’s “Stories Together with Drag Performers” series.

Russ King, popularly known as Miss Richfield 1981, kicked off the series during a Saturday morning event at Augsburg Park Library in Richfield. King is currently touring the country for his “Gender Fluids” show.

The Star Tribune provided positive coverage for King’s event, noting that it was the first in a series “that brings children and entertainers to Hennepin County libraries to celebrate their mutual love of stories, dress-up, and accepting people just the way they are.”

Freelance journalist Peggy Traeger Tierney was also there and claimed that King often mocks Christians during his performances, photos of which show him with his legs spread in front of a cross and eating baby Jesus cookies.

During his Saturday event, he read two books to the group of children. The first was called Neither, which argues that some people are neither a boy nor a girl, and the second was called Rainbow, which teaches children about the rainbow flag.

“Russ was wearing a very short skirt and very high heels, and when he bent over, or his legs spread apart, he revealed his underwear to a dozen toddlers who sat before him,” Tierney writes. “Children between 8 months and 13 years were there. Russ ended Story Hour with a vocal rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” which he belted out in his deep baritone voice, while playing a large saw he held projected out from between his legs.”

Everybody! It’s story time at the Richfield library! Starring Miss Richfield 1981! pic.twitter.com/He88ImU9s9

— Jennifer Brooks (@stribrooks) September 28, 2019

For me, this is the definitive cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow pic.twitter.com/spQwNd004F

— Jennifer Brooks (@stribrooks) September 28, 2019

Hennepin County Library notes that this is the third year of “Stories Together with Drag Performers,” and is part of a celebration of “LGBTQIA+ History Month.”

“It’s almost impossible not to smile and get involved with the songs and stories at these storytimes,” said Library Specialist Teresa Barnhill, who is the co-chair of the library system’s Pride Workgroup. “Stories Together with Drag Performers gives an elevated sense of a regular storytime with the added visual treat of our performers. Bringing someone new to the space to share their enthusiasm and confidence makes these events even more engaging and exciting.”

Library Director Janet Mills said the drag queen story time “provides an open, welcoming, and positive space for children and their families to learn more about gender identity, roles and expression.”

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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Miss Richfield” by Jennifer Brooks.