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Westchester Pride 2023 Leads with Special Guest, Drag Performer ROBIN FIERCE from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15
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Protest Message Included in This Year’s Festivities
5/8/2023
White Plains, NY
Westchester Pride 2023 is set to return on SUNDAY-JUNE 4 from 12-5 PM, and expecting a record-level-setting crowd of 7,500+ people, making it one of the largest Pride events in New York State, north of New York City.
The entertainment line-up features RuPaul Drag Race star Robin Fierce as a special guest who is scheduled to make two on-stage performances. Robin will also hold a meet and greet session before onstage performances.
Pride’s emcee will be nationally known drag performer, Sutton Lee Seymour who previously hosted in 2018. This year’s inclusion of drag performers is designed to also amplify the visibility of drag performers who are under increasing levels of assault.
Across the nation, drag performers have been targeted and attacked with both physical intimidation and legislation aimed at curbing their ability to work and engage with the community.
This year’s pride message is the protest slogan, “DRAG is not a crime, It Is ART” and it is the slogan being used in specially designed t-shirts, pins, and stickers that have been created to help spread the message this year at Pride.
“We will not be silent because of what is happening: the attack on our Trans community, the violence aimed at so many of us, the vilification of our culture, the banning of books, and the erasure of LGBTQ+ Rights is as Un-American as it gets,” says Judy Troilo, Executive Director of The LOFT, organizer of Westchester Pride.
Westchester Pride’s mission this year is to provide a space for healing, connection, celebration, and awareness. Westchester Pride is once again being held in the heart of downtown White Plains, NY on Court Street between Martine and Main and Renaissance Plaza.
“We are proud to be the home city of the LOFT and we are excited that Westchester Pride will once again take place in the heart of our downtown. This event is a time to recognize the accomplishments, remember the struggles (past and present) and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and have a great time! I look forward to seeing everyone on Court Street!” says White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.
The LOFT acknowledges the significance of Pride being a bigger festival than ever before due to the direct support of both the city of White Plains and Westchester County. This includes being recognized as the official Pride celebration for all of Westchester County, complete with a Flag Raising Ceremony led by Westchester County Executive, George Latimer.
“Westchester County is honored to once again take part in Westchester Pride, a celebration of a major part of Westchester’s diverse and welcoming nature. In our administration, we have always supported Westchester’s LGBTQ+ community through both our words and our actions. As we see alarming trends nationwide, understand that here in your home all are loved, accepted and celebrated. I look forward to joining those in attendance for this year’s Pride Flag raising and street fair,” says Westchester County Executive, George Latimer.
Aside from Robin Fierce, Westchester Pride will also be bringing back the hugely popular House and Ballroom event co-partnered with Arts Westchester, VOGUE: The Discovery of Self.
Join an intimate conversation with Vogue Legend Benny Ninja, as he reflects on his life in Westchester, vogue, the club scene, and discusses "how to create your path while leaving a trail."
The program will be moderated by his son, RIDIKKULUZ, from The Haus of Telfar. Following the conversation program, The Haus of Telfar will present an ORIGINAL vogue production created for 2023 Westchester Pride!
Westchester Pride is also proud to announce a special performance from three queer, female renowned recording artists MISHTI, Alex Nolan, and Allison Miller who together will rock the stage with a punk and folk mash-up of music.
Other points of interest include the festival staples: Vendors that include food trucks and stations, merchandise stalls, information tables, and free health screenings, The Pride Pet Parade, the Homecoming Queer Contest, The Family Zone (area specifically for children: games, fun, face painting, and treats--including a 360 rotation photo booth that will be free for all to use).
Westchester PRIDE is also made possible by the critical funding of sponsors like TD Bank, The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation, Circle Care Center, PCSB Bank, Prism Planning and Solutions Group, Westchester Medical Group, Charles Schwab, Phelps Northwell Health, New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center, and The HOPE Center, and the support of Westchester County Board of Legislators.
https://www.loftgaycenter.org/2023_westchester_pride
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WESTCHESTER PRIDE
JUNE 4, 2022-SUNDAY | Downtown White Plains, NY |
Court Street b/n Martine and Main | Free Admission
12:00-5:00 PM
After Party: 6:00-9:00 PM | Location to be announced…check back on the website
For marketing materials and contact: Jeffrey Guard (Director of Marketing and Communications, The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center) 917-684-7767, [email protected]
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MATERIALS
Ballroom Performance-Social Media
Sutton Lee Seymour-Social Media
DRAG IS ART- Campaign Graphic T-shirt Rendering
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