RALEIGH, N.C. – Drag Queen Story Hour is a global organization and the Raleigh chapter was founded in 2019.

The organization helps facilitate opportunities for drag queens, like Kiara Mel from Raleigh, to read storybooks to children.

Kiara Mel was born with a love of preforming.

“It’s not easy. That’s why it takes me such a long time to do my makeup because I think it’s a big part of the artistry; the whole transformation part of it,” Kiara Mel said.

Kiara Mel believes performing is not about gender identity, but expressing yourself.

“It’s not a sexuality thing. It’s not a gender discovery or identity thing. It’s just purely entertainment for other people,” Kiara Mel said. “A lot of people also think all drag queens want to be women. I identify as a gay cis male and I’m very happy with my gender identity and my sexuality.”

Whether Kiara Mel takes the stage as singers like Lizzo or Beyonce, it’s a performance with a purpose.

“I think my drag is like a love letter to all the big, beautiful brown women in my life that have taught me so much,” Kiara Mel said.

Kiara Mel often impersonates role models who helped her unravel some of her own insecurities. However, these differences are now welcomed with open arms.

“Being closeted, being brown, being overweight, being too flamboyant. The crazy thing about drag is everything I was bullied for or put down for is praised through Kiara Mel. When Kira Mel displays it, it’s praised,” Kiara Mel said.

Kiara Mel is a larger-than-life personality in a community that can teach us all something about life.

“Your universe isn’t the same as everybody else’s. I think drag has definitely taught me that too. Everybody looks at everything so differently and you have to learn to respect that,” Kiara Mel said.

Another unique perspective Kiara Mel offered is that drag is not as taboo as it’s sometimes made out to be. For example, there are many iconic female characters that are played by men such as, Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire, Tyler Perry as Madea in addition to Keenen and Marlon Wayans in the movie “White Chicks.”

As for Drag Queen Story Hour, the stories are often diverse in their representation, including characters of different races and cultures. This past year, most of the readings in Raleigh were virtual, but the organizers are hoping to return to once a month, in-person readings.

Regardless of where the readings take place, founder Elise Chenoweth said the goal is the same.

“We want to make sure our program teaches kids that they can be themselves and they can explore all these things and they don’t have to be this cookie cutter kid,” Chenoweth said.

Raleigh’s Drag Queen Story Hour is donation-based and fiscally sponsored by the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Some other chapters, like the one in Sweden, are government funded.