(The Lion) — San Francisco has appointed a taxpayer-funded “Drag Laureate” to promote drag culture across the city.
Mayor Daniel Lurie announced drag queen and educator Per Sia will serve as the city’s next Drag Laureate, a position created by the mayor’s office in 2023 under London Breed. The role comes with a $35,000 annual stipend, funded by the San Francisco Public Library.
Per Sia is known for leading the first “Drag Queen Story Hour” a decade ago – a program drawing criticism from parents nationwide for exposing children to gender ideology. Sia will serve a three-year term representing the city’s drag and LGBTQ community.
“As San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, Per Sia will lead the way for new representation that uplifts and highlights the storied drag history of our city,” Lurie told reporters. “Our city is known all over the world as a place where people are allowed to be who they want to be, love who they want to love, and live the lives they choose without fear of persecution.”
Per Sia said he was “excited” about the appointment and described himself as “visibly trans, brown, Mexican, and a product of immigrant parents.”
The selection committee that helped choose Per Sia included representatives from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – an anti-Catholic hate group mocking Catholic imagery – as well as employees of the Transgender District and San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives.
Outgoing Drag Laureate D’Arcy Drollinger called the decision “a bold message,” saying “all those things are scary to the right wing, but it shows that San Francisco is not catering to those people.”
As Drag Laureate, Per Sia will help plan city events and work with government agencies to promote drag. He also plans to continue hosting Drag Queen Story Hour readings for children.
“I want to show my students that there are so many ways to live,” Per Sia said. “As long as you’re doing what you love to do, then you’re living your life and you’re doing it right.”
The San Francisco Public Library praised the program, calling it part of its longstanding service to the LGBT community.
The role reflects a growing divide in American culture.
While secular city governments such as San Francisco’s continue to use taxpayer dollars to elevate drag and gender ideology, many families see it as another example of fiscal waste and government institutions pushing values contrary to their beliefs.
