LOUISVILLE, Ky. — By dipping their brush in paint, Raine Smith is doing their part to make people feel happy.
Smith was a face painter at Carmichael’s Bookstore Drag Story Hour this year.
“We’re not afraid to be who we are. We like to make people happy, just like everybody else does,” Smith said.
The rising high school freshman has found a passion for art and hopes to share their talents with others.
“Even though we may not stick to traditional gender methods, we’re doing something that we love and I feel like everybody should be able to do that and feel happy doing it,” Smith said.
They were one of many who attended the Drag Story Hour at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville on Sunday. The event aims to provide an inclusive and accessible educational experience for all ages.
“It’s incredibly important for youth that may be LGBTQ or may be, but not know it yet, to see themselves in stories,” said Sam Miller, manager of Carmichael’s on Frankfort Avenue. “Everyone deserves to see themselves as the hero of a story, the subject of a story. So we want to amplify those words as much as we can through our business.”
Miller says, especially in today’s climate, important opportunities like these need to exist.
“Recently, in a lot of states like Kentucky, we’ve taken a lot of steps back. I sort of feel like, at a certain point, especially when gay marriage was legalized, things are different now, things have changed for good. But it seems like maybe that’s not the case because there is legislation that has put us two or three or maybe ten steps backwards,” Miller said. “So I think it’s crucial that in places like Kentucky, that we do this.”
After going to a drag story hour in the past, Smith is glad to have an active role in fostering the community.
“I really like what they are doing here and in the community for so long. I was drawn to it and I wanted to make people happy, let people have a happy pride and everything,” Smith said. “And really, it boosts my spirits because I like seeing people happy and having support in the community.”
Drag Story Hour is a national organization, allowing children the ability to access role models through the art of drag and through books.