The battalion of strollers present in Chicago’s Millennium Park on Sunday alongside men in drag who went by names like “Fabulous Freddie” was not an unfortunate coincidence. In fact, the day was designed to get as many toddlers in attendance as possible.
The opening performance at the “Queer Fam Pride Jam” was by Jules Hoffman, who is famous for performing songs aimed at teaching infants and toddlers their first words on Ms. Rachel, the YouTube channel with nearly 10 million subscribers. The “songs for littles” performer, who sparked controversy when she instructed people to refer to her with the pronouns “they/them,” excitedly invited parents and their “littles” to see her free show.
Hoffman performed the songs she’s famous with babies and their parents for, such as “Crabby Crab.” But making it to the stage wasn’t exactly kid-friendly. After I made my way through security alongside dozens of stroller-wielding families, I entered a packed tent where everyone appeared to be either forty or under four.
One of the first tables that greeted attendees was manned by a drag queen in a pink shawl, tight green spandex, and a frizzy wig offering “drag makeovers” for kids. The line grew long, with children and toddlers uneasy as their parents walked them up to the man in drag, who held the chin of a child steady as he applied red paint to his brow.
The booth foreshadowed the rest of the day, which prominently featured three different drag performers who danced for the children, with one even accepting a dollar bill from a child as he suggestively danced.
The event had the stamp of approval from both corporate sponsors such as Lululemon, but also the city itself. The city’s mayor Brandon Johnson took the stage after Hoffman’s opening set to declare June as “one of the most important months,” and wish the crowd a “happy queer family month.”
