the pride
ISSUE NUMBER 87, VOLUME 58 | APRIL 1 – APRIL 30, 2023 04.01.2023 – 04.30.2023
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
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LOS ANGELES 1
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
Abbey Founder Declares Drag is Not A Crime In solidary with drag performers, David Cooley, founder of The Abbey Food & Bar, stood before the West Hollywood City Council on March 6 to make statement By Susan Payne “Drag is not a crime.” In solidary with drag performers, David Cooley, founder of The Abbey Food & Bar, stood before the West Hollywood City Council on March 6 to make that statement, joined by 11 drag entertainers who perform at the Abby WeHo and The Chapel. In response to the state of Tennessee becoming the first state to criminalize drag shows, Cooley posted his speech on the @ abbeyweho Instagram page, according to the
WeHo Times. He said: “Last week, Tennessee became the first state to criminalize drag shows. It is now possible for a drag performer to be charged with a felony and have their voting rights stripped, just for performing. The bill is also so broad, it also means a trans person walking down the street could be charged with a felony for impersonating a male or female. Tennessee lawmakers are not done, they also have bills targeting venues that feature drag performers. They want to reclassify them as strip clubs. It could soon be illegal to see a drag queen in a gay bar in Tennessee. Drag is not a crime. Tennessee isn’t alone. Just two months into 2023, conservative lawmakers have introduced over 340 anti-LGBT bills. We are here tonight to show solidarity for our friends in Tennessee and ask the City of West Hollywood to issue a proclamation affirming that Drag is art, not a crime. Drag is an artform built on self-expression and artistic performance. Drag is also
powerful tool for political protest, that uplifts the LGBTQ+ community in the face of discrimination and oppression. We want the City of West Hollywood @ wehocity to make it clear that drag is both an art and form of political protest — both protected by the United States Constitution. We can send a powerful message to the entire country that we value and support the
Donatella Versace Visits the Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts master class with CFDA designersr By Sam Catanzaro Last month, the Los Angeles LGBT Center welcomed Donatella Versace, the Chief Creative Officer of Versace, for a tour of the nonprofit and a keynote conversation that was open to the public. Ms. Versace’s visit celebrates the announcement of a scholarship program for LGTBQ+ fashion students, supported by the Versace Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Ms. Versace toured the Center’s vast array of services, where she met with the Center’s
frontline workers and service providers from our Senior Services, Culinary Arts, and Youth Services departments. To accompany her visit, the CFDA brought the designers Pia Davis of No Sesso and Sergio Hudson to host a “fashion masterclass” with young people enrolled in the Center’s Youth Academy. The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers a wide range of programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth, including housing and education services, school-based programs, the LifeWorks mentorship program, and Models of Pride—the world’s largest free conference for LGBTQ+ youth. Afterwards, Ms. Versace sat down with the Center’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Phillip Picardi, for a fireside chat about her career in fashion and her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. “I was truly honoured to be at the Los
Angeles LGBT Center today to officially launch our scholarship with the CFDA to support LGBTQ+ students. Seeing the work of this incredible organisation in person was so important for me. The support they give to the people who need it most is invaluable, and I am thrilled to be a small part of helping the work they do. It was also a wonderful chance to bring together our fashion community. Together we are all stronger,” said Donatella Versace. She was introduced by the Center’s CEO, Joe Hollendoner, who said he was “personally very moved by Donatella’s visit.” “I have seen firsthand her commitment to uplifting the beauty in our community, and in all of us as individuals. It’s been a pleasure to welcome her to the Center,” he said.
rights of all individuals to express themselves freely and openly. We can send a message to our friends all over the country, whose rights are being stripped away, that we support them. I urge you to take a bold and affirmative stand to support drag performers everywhere. #beyourself #notacriminal #SupportDragQueens #DragIsNOTaCrime”