Stoic Drag Queen Story Hour

What drag queens can teach Stoics about how to live an ethical life

Is there room in Modern Stoicism for people who consider each other to be debauchees, homophobes, groomers, or bigots?

Ryan Holiday, the author who is probably responsible for bringing more converts to Stoicism than any other living author through his many books on Stoicism — such as The Obstacle is the Way, The Daily Stoic, and Lives of the Stoics — has done something interesting to bring attention to the Stoic conception of virtue.

In addition to being an author, Holiday owns and operates a bookstore in Bastrop, Texas. Its name is The Painted Porch — in tribute to the ancient Stoics whose first meetings were at a painted porch. The bookstore prominently displays books on Stoicism and related topics.

The bookstore also sponsors public events. One of these events turned out to be controversial: “Drag Story Hour,” where drag performers dressed as pirates and princesses read stories to kids.

The controversy surrounding this event — which Ryan Holiday was adamant about holding despite customer complaints — provides an illuminating view into the issues facing Modern Stoicism.

For those unfamiliar with Stoicism, the Stoics claim that virtue is the only good. Everything else — pleasure, health, wealth, status, etc. — is only of worth to the degree that it supports or facilitates virtue. Every decision for a practicing Stoic has ethical implications…