Philly Hosts Guinness World Record-Setting Drag Queen Story Time Event

Philadelphia has set a new Guinness World Records title for the “largest attendance at a drag queen story time reading.” On Saturday morning, the City of Brotherly Love hosted an event sponsored by Visit Philadelphia that brought together famed Philadelphia drag performers and dozens of local Philadelphians and their children. The event took place at the National Constitution Center, where performers read children’s stories to a record-setting audience of 263 people.

Brittany Lynn, a drag performer, LGBTQIA+ activist, literacy advocate, and head of the award-winning Philly Drag Mafia, served as emcee for the event. Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, commented on the significance of the event, stating, “Philadelphia is where our country was founded, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed, and where some of the most significant LGBTQIA+ moments in U.S. history took place. Creating history-making moments like we’ve done today, hosted on land synonymous with our country’s fight for fundamental rights and freedom, serves as a powerful reminder of the resiliency, talent, and culture that make up the fabric of our great American city.”