Thank you so much for another great Pride Event! Pride 2023 was amazing!
For immediate release, 17 JUNE 2022
Viroqua Pride Board Statement
For a second year, local community members have come together to plan a family friendly, LGBTQIA+ Pride event in Viroqua. The inaugural year was a huge success, with over 500 people attending from the surrounding areas. But what made it so powerful was not the numbers, but the positive affect it had on the local queer community members, from the youth to the elders.
This year we have been excited to add two drag performances, not only led by Sapphire who grew up in the LaCrosse area, but featuring Lyle Loves-It, a local award-winning Drag King legend.
However, it has come to our attention that there are some members of our community who are not happy about this addition to our event, and are concerned that it will compromise the “family friendly” aspect of the event.
In our experience, many cases where people clash stems from fear or not having our own experiences with the thing we are upset about. Those feelings are common, and one of the reasons that Pride exists is to help others understand and enjoy all the beautiful aspects of our community.
Drag is far from new, though its stylings and popularity has evolved. When Shakespearean theater began it had strong ties to the Church, barring women from performing so men dressed as women and their dresses “dragged” on the stage. Over the years it became extremely popular in vaudeville and burlesque performances in Europe, before crossing into US culture in the 20’s. In fact drag was not considered a “gay” art until those who didn’t understand and feared it, attempted to label it as such. Because of this, drag became misunderstood and shunned, even after the first years of Pride celebrations.
Fast forward to today and drag has become not only a vibrant, fun, and supportive part of the LGBTGIA+ community, but in mainstream culture world wide. Every performer and show is unique and there are definitely ones that are adult themed, just like there are R rated movie ratings or age limits in venues. However, our show is family friendly, as are the costumes and music selections. And not only is our show for all ages, but some numbers have been tailored specifically with our young guests in mind.
We hope that anyone who is concerned will take this opportunity to learn more about drag and Pride, because we are all equal and important members of this community. Our wish would be that everyone would come to Pride with an open heart and see this incredible display of local talent, art, activities, artisans, and PEOPLE. Your loved ones, your friends, neighbors, teachers, clergy, coaches, farmers and youth that make up this diverse and special place that we all come home. And for those who can’t, that you remember our collective humanity and freedom to gather and celebrate unhindered, just like you.
