Saskatchewan drag tour supports local organization during Pride month

Some of their stops are small communities, like Humboldt, La Ronge, and Kindersley, who have very few opportunities to host drag or queer content, especially while they celebrate Pride month, said McKay. The COVID-friendly drive-in show not only is giving communities a much needed night out after a rough year, but the collective has also made it a fundraising opportunity for smaller pride organizations. Fifty per cent of ticket sales will go directly to places like the Humboldt and Area Pride Network, Saskatchewan Pride Network, and Moose Jaw Pride.

Drag shows have always been a way people can show off their authentic selves and share that with the audience, said Sad Sally and COVID has changed the way they do that in a good way.

Sad Sally saw many local organizations host drive-in events as a way to follow COVID restrictions while still being out in the community. Along with the creation of more digital content to reach their followers, the drive-in drag shows have been a way for drag kings and queens to be out in communities where people may not have experienced drag.

“We’ve been able to have more people at the [drive-in] shows than we do at our regular shows in bars or in other close establishments… people that are walking along the street are stopping and some are seeing what’s happening and staying to watch.”

Drag queen, Chelazon Leroux, doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t want to dress up and perform, but first understood the concept of drag after seeing Ru Paul’s Drag Race for the first time. While she calls Buffalo River Dene Nation home, Leroux has lived in many small communities.

Providing role models close to home for future kings and queens, including young two-spirited children and young adults in their smaller stop, is one of their goals for this tour.

“How amazing would it have been for me as a younger kid seeing that happen in my own community? Someone that was like me or someone to look up to, and to know that I’m not alone, or that there’s a future ahead of you, you know. My mind would have been blown,” they said.

Leroux sees few First Nation and Metis drag monarchs currently performing in Saskatchewan—including fellow Drag Me Across Saskatchewan performer, Majix Trixx, also known as Jonathan McCloy who is Metis—but with a big following on social media; over 188,000 followers on TikTok, Leroux knows many of her fans are Indigenous.

The YXE Drag Collective, including Drag Queen Majix Trixx, has already hit the road in Saskatchewan with their Drag Me Across Saskatchewan tour, including a stop in Humboldt on June 4. (Becky Zimmer/paNOW Staff)

Even though she is excited for all the stops on the tour and is grateful for the opportunity to be out in Saskatchewan, for Leroux, performing in La Ronge is going to feel like coming home.

“It’s where I come from and I know it’s always important to come back to your communities as an individual and to support that. So I would be missing out on something great if I wasn’t able to be there.”

The collective have upcoming stops in Prince Albert, Lloydminster, La Ronge, and North Battleford. Click here for their full schedule.

Reporter Becky Zimmer is also the treasurer of Humboldt and Area Pride Network.

–

becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

by Becky Zimmer

Saskatchewan drag tour supports local organization during Pride month

What's Trending