What happened when Proud Boys stormed a drag-queen story hour
In 2022, during a Drag Story Hour at the San Lorenzo Public Library, actor Kyle Casey Chu, in her drag persona Panda Dulce, faced a traumatic disruption when Proud Boys stormed in, shouting transphobic slurs. The incident left Chu deeply affected, but the media's eagerness to shape her story according to their narratives was even more shocking. This inspired Chu and co-writer Róisín Isner to create “After What Happened at the Library,” a short film that delves into the aftermath of public trauma, portraying the complexities of media narratives surrounding victims. The film not only recounts the library incident but also reflects on Isner's own traumatic experience with media scrutiny after losing a finger to a firework accident at 17. Together, they explore the emotional impact of being thrust into the spotlight as symbols of broader cultural conflicts.
The film aims to challenge the myth that the library incident was investigated as a hate crime, revealing that no charges were filed. With Chu currently a resident at SFFILM FilmHouse, they are expanding this short into a feature film that promises to blend surrealism with comedy. Ultimately, their work seeks to reclaim narrative ownership and highlight the often-overlooked experiences of victims post-incident.