MAX
COURIER LIFE, A M BR B G PRIL 12–18, 2019 31
Kids learn about
LGBTQ culture
EXPLORING GENDER: YouTube star Lindsay Amer of
Queer Kids Stuff sings to kids at Brooklyn Public Library’s
Genderful event on April 6. Photos by Trey Pentecost
BY COLIN MIXSON
Youngsters between the
ages of 6 and 12 gathered
at Brooklyn Public Library’s
Central Branch
in Prospect Heights on
April 6 to study queer
culture and gender identity
under the tutelage
of a ukulele playing You-
Tube personality, in an
event that proved just
as eye opening for parents
as it was for Kings
County kids, according to
one mom.
“I think it was more
for me,” said Bay Ridge
mom Rupsha Iqbal, who
brought 8-year-old daughter
Doria Sharif to the
event. “We didn’t grow
up with that lingo, but
they have.”
The event, called Genderful,
kicked off with educational
stories and singa
longs about LGBTQ
culture by uke player Lindasy
Amar, host of the
“Queer Kid Stuff” channel
on the popular videostreaming
site.
Afterwards, kids were
set free to explore various
gay-themed craft and
event stations located in
the book lender’s youth
section, with attractions
including free temporary
tattoos featuring notable
queer icons, the chance to
make their own LGBTQ
buttons and zines, and a
station featuring fabric
and used clothes that kids
could use to make their
own, unconventional outfi
ts, according to a Chicago
based designer of
LGBTQ clothes.
“I want kids to start to
thinking about clothing
in a different way,” said
Sky Cubacub, founder of
Rebirth Garments.
Brooklyn Public Library
debuted Genderful
in 2017, and has continued
the event as a way
for kids and parents to explore
gender identity and
queer culture, according
to a spokeswoman for the
borough booklender.
“Brooklyn Public Library
aims to be a welcoming
and affi rming
space for people all
across the borough, representative
of many different
identities and experiences,”
said Fritizi
Bodenheimer.
PROUD: From left, Amira Merrill, Rupsha Iqbal, Doria Sharif,
Sky Cubacub, and Milenka Bermanova.