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NYC Pride and GLAAD to support “Pride 2020 Drag Fest,” a three-day digital drag festival to celebrate Pride and raise funds for local drag performers
Today, NYC-based drag artist, television personality, and political activist Marti Gould Cummings and The Only Productions announced “Pride 2020 Drag Fest,” the largest digital drag festival during Pride 2020. More than 100 performers are scheduled to appear during “Pride 2020 Drag Fest,” an official event of NYC Pride and supported by GLAAD. The virtual performances will run each day from 6:30-8pm EST beginning on Friday, June 19 and through Sunday, June 21, 2020. The video events will stream on NYC Pride and GLAAD’s Facebook pages. Viewers can contribute directly to each performer during their scheduled time through donations to their Venmo profiles and donation platforms highlighted during the broadcast.
For more information, visit www.nycpride.org/events/pride-2020-dragfest.
“Since before Stonewall our drag community and our trans community have rallied to stand up and fight for equality and justice,” said Marti Gould Cummings. “As we grapple with the new normal of our daily lives we must continue in the footsteps and carry on the spirit of Pride. We may not be able to meet in person this year but Pride will live on as we gather digitally to celebrate our drag community and honor the legacy of Masha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and the activism that so many LGBTQ icons ushered in.”
Performers slated to appear during “Pride 2020 Drag Fest” include RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jan, Heidi N. Closet, Nicky Doll, Shuga Cain, Brita Filter, Milk, Honey Davenport, Jiggly Caliente, Dusty Ray Bottoms, plus NYC drag stars including Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Sherry Vine, Shequida, Pixie Aventura, Horrorchata, Merrie Cherry, and over 100 others. See the full talent list below:
In April, VICE.com reported that “While nearly all businesses in the U.S. have been threatened by the outbreak, bars and nightclubs that cater to the LGBTQ community are particularly vulnerable because they already operate under extremely small margins.” Many drag performers have started hosting virtual performances, while several LGBTQ bars and nightclubs have launched crowdfunding pages to support employees.
“COVID-19 has closed LGBTQ safe spaces including community centers, bars, and nightclubs which served as lifelines for so many LGBTQ people, and it has also delivered an unexpected and urgent financial loss to talented performers and employees who worked in these spaces,” said GLAAD Chief Communications Officer, Rich Ferraro. “Both during Pride month and beyond, our community needs to join together to support drag performers and other talent who have always supported us.”
“You cannot have Pride without a little (or a lot) of Drag. This performance of gender expression has been a staple of the LGBTQIA+ community throughout its history, bringing with it a sense of vibrancy and power that can be felt at every NYC Pride event,” Shawn Kobetz, Partnerships Manager, NYC Pride. “We at NYC Pride are proud to stand with our drag friends and family from around the world during these trying times. We hope this event provides much needed support and entertainment for our community.”
Last week, NYC Pride began announcing virtual events to celebrate Pride 2020 and bring NYC’s LGBTQ community together including a special broadcast event with WABC-TV Channel 7.
Marti Gould Cummings is a NYC-based drag artist, television personality, and political activist. Throughout their nearly decade long drag career Marti has been a regular fixture in the nightlife world who uses their platform to spread a message of equality, acceptance, and kindness. Marti has appeared across media outlets including The New York Times, New York Daily News, People and Good Morning America online to speak about LGBTQ issues and, most recently, about COVID-19’s impact on LGBTQ New Yorkers.
Last year, Martin Goulding Cummings became the first drag performer to formally interview a major Presidential candidate when they interviewed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during her presidential candidacy. Marti has sold out concerts at 54 Below, Lincoln Center’s Big Apple Circus, Dixon Place and they regularly tour the world with Atlantis Cruises. They have also been seen on the Fusion television’s Shade Queens of NYC, The Marti Report on LOGO, Dragged on Yahoo! and The X Change Rate on The Build Series. Marti has been named to the OUT 100 list and serves on the Board of Directors for The Ali Forney Center for Homeless LGBTQ Youth, the Advisory Board of Equality NY, the NYC Nightlife Advisory Council, and is a National Co-Chair of Drag Out the Vote.
More information about “Pride 2020 Drag Fest: A Weekend to Support Our Queens,” click here.
www.glaad.org/blog/nyc-pride-and-glaad-support-pride-2020-drag-fest
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