Organizers shutter Houston’s Drag Queen Story Time

Albert Garza, a 32-year-old registered sex offender, participated in the Drag Queen Story Time program under the name Tatiana Mala-Niña, according to the conservative anti-LGBTQ group, MassResistance. That happened before the Houston Public Library began conducting background checks on readers. This Sept. 23, 2018 photo shows Tatiana Mala-Niña before a performance at Rich's Houston in Houston. less Albert Garza, a 32-year-old registered sex offender, participated in the Drag Queen Story Time program under the name Tatiana Mala-Niña, according to the conservative anti-LGBTQ group, MassResistance. That ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip, MBO / Associated Press Photo: Melissa Phillip, MBO / Associated Press Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Organizers shutter Houston’s Drag Queen Story Time 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

In an open letter published by Houstonia magazine, the organizers of Houston's Drag Queen Story Time said they are shuttering the controversial program after recent news that one of their readers had previously sexually assaulted an 8-year-old child.

The organizers, Trent Lira and Devin Will, penned the letter, claiming that anti-LGBT groups had been threatening library employees and participants in the story time.

Albert Garza, a 32-year-old registered sex offender, participated in the program under the name Tatiana Mala-Niña, according to the conservative anti-LGBTQ group, MassResistance. That happened before the Houston Public Library started performing background checks on readers.

The library system has since apologized.

APOLOGY: HPL apologizes after registered sex offender participated in Drag Queen Story Time

"We assure you that this participant will not be involved in any future HPL programs," the library's statement reads. "...We deeply regret this oversight and the concern this may cause our customers. We realize this is a serious matter."

In the letter, the organizers said they are planning on serving the community in another way.

"This isn't what we wanted," they said. "We have so loved seeing the smiles on children's faces, their laughter, their dances. We have so loved connecting with parents and connecting with our community. We appreciate the support and experience we gained working with the team at HPL and hope to work with them again in the future."

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message