Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs hosts a live showcase of LGBTQ artists
"District of Pride" showcases queer artists in the D.C. area
Capital Pride has wrapped up, but the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs is keeping the celebrations going for the remainder of Pride month. “We’ve watched our government agencies hold events for API Heritage Month, Latinx History Month, and other celebrations, and we wanted to do something that would lift up the LGBTQ community as well,” says Sheila Alexander-Reid, director of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
The office has partnered with the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities, the D.C. Department of Health, and queer artist collaborative Sleepy Lee to host “District of Pride,” a performance event at the Lincoln Theatre on June 15 showcasing local LGBTQ performance artists, many of whom are queer people of color.
Performers include the Love Gospel Choir, burlesque performer Ophelia Hart, local drag personality Destiny B. Childs, Rayceen Pendarvis, BOOMscat, The Coolots Band, various singers and spoken word artists, and Pyroxotic, a female performance troupe that typically works with fire and pyrotechnics but will be putting on a special show with hula hoops and LED-lights.
Emcee Pretty Rik E, of Pretty Boi Drag, says the wide scope of performers, and the inclusion of those with large followings of millennial fans, was intentional. “The variety that we’re offering isn’t just drag, it isn’t just music, but a variety of performers,” he says. “It’s sexy, it’s new, it’s very now. And we’re really selling people on the fact that they get to see all these acts for free.”
“District of Pride” is Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Admission is free. For more information, contact Ben de Guzman at 202-442-8120 or visit lgbtq.dc.gov.
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