Pride & Joy: Charlotte's Annual LGBTQ+ Festival Returns with Arts, Culture and Drag
By Page Leggett
Drag queens continue to be the subject of false and discriminatory rhetoric, which has led to anti-drag bills being introduced in state houses across the country and in widespread protests.
In 2022, at least 141 protests were reported in the U.S., according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Charlotte Pride’s staff is acutely aware of it.
“When the protests started, we had an emergency meeting with other nonprofit, political and queer groups in town to discuss how to handle it,” said Meredith Thompson, Pride’s programs and development director.
Charlotte Pride, the free, annual two-day festival, returns to uptown Charlotte Aug. 19–20. Last year’s event, which drew 275,000 revelers, was the biggest yet.
“We hope to maintain that big energy this year,” Thompson said.
‘The heart of Pride’
This year, Pride organizers are doubling down on drag.
“You can’t have Pride without drag,” Thompson said. “It’s the heart of Pride.” (And, besides, who was going to put Big Freedia the Queen Diva – one of the headliners – in a corner?)
“We’re really proud that our entertainment team lead, who is nonbinary, has planned a wonderful line-up with a heavy emphasis on drag,” Thompson said. Drag will be featured on both stages that bookend the festival – the Charlotte Pride Main Stage and the Charlotte Pride Community Stage presented by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).
The Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant happens Saturday, Aug. 19 from 3:30–6 p.m. Some of the best local drag performers will compete to be named Mx. Charlotte Pride, Ms. Charlotte Pride and Mr. Charlotte Pride.
Also on Aug. 19, two former contestants from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” are coming to Charlotte for the festivities. Aja is a rapper and drag artist from Brooklyn who competed in season nine; Luxx Noir London, also a musical artist, competed on the 15th season.
In addition, Pride is partnering with the Gender Education Network in the Youth & Family Zone, presented by Equitable, to offer a drag queen story hour.
ASC’s expanded role
For the first time, ASC is a Visionary Sponsor of the Pride Festival.
Robert Touchstone, ASC’s vice president of philanthropy, said that major level of sponsorship “shows our solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community at a time when queer expression is being challenged.” He added, “at the same time, ASC seeks to increase awareness of our investments in the community and let queer creatives know ASC is here to support them and their work.”
ASC will have a big presence at the event.
The Neighborhood Market, presented by ASC, will be set up on Levine Avenue for the Arts on Saturday, Aug. 19 from noon-10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 20 from noon-6 p.m. Festivalgoers can support local artists, artisans and makers – and take home some unique, handcrafted wares.
ASC’s main booth, on South Tryon Street, is themed “Pride is Timeless: Fashion Through Three Eras.” A photo booth will add to the fun here.
The other booth contains an interactive, community art installation, “Acceptance and Celebration of Identity,” led by artists Elizabeth Palmisano and Jamil “Dyair” Steele. Visitors can add their own writing or drawing to the installation.
ASC is proud to support both Pride and individual artists who identify as LGBTQ. See how ASC supported the community in 2022.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Should you need a break from the hoopla – or the heat – Pride has you covered. Flourish, an annual celebration of LGBTQ arts and culture, is a festival-within-a-festival that will take place Saturday, Aug. 19 from 1 – 6 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Atrium (401 S. Tryon St.).
“Folks can come in out of the chaos and the heat and enjoy cool music, visual arts, spoken word,” Thompson said. “It’s a wonderful place to escape the madness of the festival and enjoy great art and music.”
Begun in 2013, Flourish was created by John C. Quillin, founder and artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and founder of One Voice Chorus. He turned the reins over to Charlotte Pride in 2019. Thompson confirms that One Voice Chorus will perform again this year, calling the group “a Pride tradition.”
Pride all year long
As big as the annual festival is, Pride is more than a two-day bash.
For instance, Charlotte Pride has hosted an annual LGBTQ film festival – now called Reel Out – for more than a decade. This year’s festival was held in May at the Independent Picture House and featured shorts and feature-length films.
The group has a scholarship program that Thompson calls “an important way we’re uplifting young, queer people who are college-bound.”
And there’s an annual job fair for LGBTQ job seekers. “This year, we had about 30 employers – companies and organizations looking for a diverse workforce and interested, specifically, in hiring queer people,” Thompson said. She expects to host another in February 2024.
Pride – the two-day festival – is still the most visible thing Charlotte Pride does.
“It takes our staff and a host of volunteers the entire year to plan these two days,” Thompson said. “It is, by far, the biggest thing we do. It’s also volunteer-driven and -led; we couldn’t pull it off without our dedicated volunteers.”
The purpose behind the party
Thompson thinks this year’s event could be as big, or bigger, than 2022’s: “Based on the energy around rising up against the anti-drag movement, plus the usual excitement we always have around Pride, I think we’re going to have another strong showing.”
Children are welcome throughout the festival – although Thompson thinks kids and parents will especially appreciate the Youth & Family Zone on The Green near Wells Fargo.
“It’s a wonderful space for families, including kids with sensory challenges,” she said. “It’s quieter, so it’s a nice respite from the rest of the festival.” The alcohol-free and tobacco-free space will have games and activities and programmatic elements, such as like Drag Story Hour. “It’s a great space for kids to feel affirmed and see other kids like them – and for parents to connect with each other and feel part of the community.”
Thompson hopes people enjoy the street party while also understanding the origins of the Pride movement.
“Stonewall was a watershed moment for LQBTQ rights,” Thompson said. “It’s why Pride got started. And we’re following that tradition. So, while this is a great party, there’s a point to it.
“In the end, the festival is about sexual freedom and the right to be who we are.”
And, as she pointed out, that right may not be forever guaranteed.
“We’ve been reminded this year that our work is not over,” she said. “We can never say, ‘Well, everybody seems to be embracing diversity now, so let’s not worry anymore.’ Our community is under attack right now. We’ve got to continue the fight.”
March with ASC in the Charlotte Pride Parade!
Join ASC in helping show solidarity with our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors by marching with ASC during the 2023 Charlotte Pride Parade on Sunday, Aug. 20. Walking groups (like ASC’s) will meet up at the address provided at 11:30 a.m. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Note that space for ASC’s walking group is limited to 100 people.