“We are all born naked, and the rest is drag.” -RuPaul
Prism owners Sean Abernathy and Jade Sinclair, along with RFT Society Columnist Chris Andoe, and Pride St. Louis’ Jordan Elizabeth Braxton, have formed an ad hoc group called “It’s all drag!” to respond to the nationwide drag bans and other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced.
The group’s first action will be a solidarity march through the Grove on March 25th at 6:00 p.m. The march will kick off outside Rehab Bar and Grill and end with a rally at Prism. Participants are encouraged to wear anything that could get them arrested under the ill-defined new drag bans around the country. All are welcome.
At the end of the march, there will be a presentation and celebration outside Prism where Out in STL will present ICON Awards to the three performers/activists who traveled to Jefferson City and successfully derailed Missouri’s ban. The three honorees are Akasha Royale, Maxi Glamour and Jordan Elizabeth Braxton.
“Drag shows aren’t only part of queer culture, they are part of St. Louis culture,” says Chris Andoe. “According to the St. Louis LGBT History Project’s Steven Louis Brawley, 1870’s vaudeville shows featuring female impersonators and drag shows akin to what we have today have been happening in the region since the 1930s. Even before marriage equality, drag performers helped St. Louis’ bridal parties celebrate. Our community is now under attack, and we are asking the greater St. Louis community to come together and stand with us.”
According to the ACLU there are currently 399 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in the US. Missouri is leading all states with 38 proposed bills. Recently, Tennessee’s Governor signed a law banning drag in public places and within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks or places of worship. Also signed was legislation that bans transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care.
