The Louisville Free Public Library has scheduled a new Drag Queen Storytime for May, after canceling the March event without explanation.

The event, a first for Louisville libraries, invites guests to "channel your inner fabulous" with special guest Vanessa Demornay. The event is set for 2-3 p.m. May 18 at the main branch on York Street.

Mikhail Schulz, who's been performing as Demornay for 15 years, said he was honored to be asked to participate.

"It's an amazing opportunity for kids to see people that maybe live outside of the norms of society and that are marching to the beat of their own drum," Schulz said. "It's something I wish I had seen as a child."

"I hope it inspires kids that like sparkly, pretty things like me, and encourages them to explore who they are," added Shulz, who isn't affiliated with the Derby City Sisters, the group originally scheduled for the first event.

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The library canceled the event earlier this month, but interim director Lee Burchfield provided no explanation except for saying that it wasn't "because it was a Drag Queen Storytime."

"We had to cancel this one, but we're committed to hosting an event like this in the future," Burchfield told the Courier Journal at the time.

He said Monday that he expected a "welcoming audience" for the upcoming program in Louisville.

"The controversial but popular and successful Drag Queen Story Hours that have happened in cities across the country are programs consistent with the library's values of respect for individuals and inclusion," Burchfield said in a statement.

Drag Queen Storytimes have gained popularity, sometimes sparking controversy, across the country. Such events led to a lawsuit in Louisiana and a protest in Evansville, Indiana, at its first program last month.

The canceled event was with the Derby City Sisters, a Louisville group dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ community and the city through community service, outreach, advocacy and education for safer sex awareness.

Background:Library union condemns 'intolerance' after canceled drag queen event

Before it was canceled, some people opposed to the event wrote hateful comments on Facebook about the LGBTQ community. After it was canceled, others criticized the library system for backing down, suggesting it was because of the potential controversy.

The Derby City Sisters event cancellation led to a statement from Louisville's library union, condemning "hatred and intolerance to LGBTQIA people."

"Libraries are meant to be safe community spaces for everyone no matter their class, race, sexuality, gender or origin," the statement from AFSCME Local 3425 said.

On Monday, Christopher McDavid, who performs under the name Sister Petty Davis, said Derby City Sisters is still working to reschedule its storytime event and is also considering a brunch storytime or one centered on Pride.

As for the library event: "We wish them well and hope it will be a huge success," McDavid said, adding that he is worried the new event might face similar controversy to what the Sisters saw.

Demornay has called Louisville home for 13 years, according to the library's website. She previously was honored with titles including Miss Kentucky newcomer, Miss Kentucky USofA and National Entertainer of the Year. It says she's currently the Midwest All American Goddess.

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Demornay also was once joined by Lady Gaga on stage in Louisville, during a lip-sync performance of "Born This Way," Shulz told the Courier Journal.

Courier Journal photographers captured Shulz performing as Demornay at the opening of PLAY nightclub in 2013.

The upcoming event will be a "fun time, where kids can let loose and celebrate beautiful, sparkly things," Shulz said Monday.

"The message I would want to share to any kids that are coming, which is the message I remind myself of every day, (is): You deserve to be seen, you deserve to be heard and you deserve to be loved," Shulz said.

What's happened at other Drag Queen Storytimes?

One in Louisiana took place last month, after the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana filed suit against an action by Lafayette's public libraries that banned citizens from holding such an event in the library's facilities. The ACLU won that decision.

And in Evansville, Indiana, the first Drag Queen Story Hour program took place Feb. 23, as supporters and protesters gathered outside the library, with some waving rainbow flags and others screaming insults.

One group, who call themselves "Warrior for Christ," yelled anti-gay slogans and spoke against parents who brought their children to the event, as well as the LGBTQ community, according to the Evansville Courier & Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/darcyc.