- Advertisement -
More
    - Advertisement -
    - Advertisement -
    HomeNewsWest Hollywood Attracts Over 2,000 Drag March LA Participants Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

    West Hollywood Attracts Over 2,000 Drag March LA Participants Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

    The Los Angeles LGBT Center estimates that over 2,000 participants hit the streets of West Hollywood for Drag March LA to protest the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. More than 40 LGBTQ+ organizations, faith groups, queer and trans activists, drag artists, and hundreds of supporters of all ages gathered at West Hollywood Park by Robertson Boulevard for speeches, performances and presentations, followed by a march on Santa Monica Boulevard.

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES

    Speakers at the rally included Rev. Keith Mozingo of Founders Metropolitan Community Church, who came right from Easter Services dressed in drag to bless demonstrators before the Drag March began.

    Additional speakers included Trans Wellness Center program manager Mariana Marroquin, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, City of West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne, Jazzmun Crayton of APAIT, Bamby Salcedo of the TransLatin@ Coalition, Tony Hoang of Equality California, and Rev. Keith Mozingo of Founders Metropolitan Community Church.

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES

    RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Kerri Colby and Honey Davenport performed for the crowd along with the drag king Twinka Masala. A resource fair was available on site to connect attendees with local service providers and community organizers. There were also artist memorial shrines honoring three drag entertainers who recently passed this year, Darcelle XV, Heklina, and Crystal Woods.

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES

    West Hollywood Mayor presented the LA LGBT Center with a City Proclamation calling April 9, Drag Day 2023.

    The Mayor also presented David Cooley and The Abbey Food & Bar with a city recognition for their support of drag entertainers.

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES

    Drag March LA was supposed to start at West Hollywood City Hall, but that was changed to host a larger gathering a West Hollywood Park. Earlier posts also stated that the March would move from WeHo Park to City Hall, however, it was shortened and the crowd turned back to the park at Westmount Drive. Marchers were also escorted by West Hollywood sheriff deputies for safety and traffic control.

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
    Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMES
    Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMES

    “We stand together united by our unwavering belief in the fundamental right to love and be loved, the right to be recognized and respected, the right to live our lives authentically without fear or discrimination—and do with our bodies what we wish,” Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner said at the pre-march rally. “Like those who came before us, we are not just fighting for ourselves. We are here to fight for the generations to come. We owe it to our youth to create a world where they can grow up knowing that they are loved, respected, and valued, no matter who they are or whom they love. And we owe it to our elders—the people who fought for our hard-earned progress—to fight back against these evils when they rear their ugly heads.”

    Drag March LA – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES

    In the first three months of 2023 alone, more than 400 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation were introduced or passed across the United States, most of them targeting transgender and gender nonconforming people. Drag March LA was formed to serve as a reminder of the strength of the LGBTQ+ community—and a call to action to continue fighting in defense of free self-expression, bodily autonomy, and equality for all.

    5 2 votes
    Article Rating
    Paulo Murillo
    Paulo Murillohttps://wehotimes.com
    Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist. Murillo began his professional writing career as the author of “Love Ya, Mean It,” an irreverent and sometimes controversial West Hollywood lifestyle column for FAB! newspaper. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, which include the “Hot Topic” column in Frontiers magazine, where he covered breaking news and local events in West Hollywood. He can be reached at [email protected]

    4 COMMENTS

    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest
    4 Comments: We Want to Hear from You!
    newest
    oldest most voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Enough!
    Enough!
    Offline
    7 months ago

    If I’m not mistaken a lot (if not all) of this legislation prohibits children from being exposed to adult topics of discussion or making body altering decisions before they have reached maturity. To say that it is anti-trans or anti-gay is a stretch.

    Jason
    Jason
    Offline
    7 months ago

    Nothing against drag, though its really not my interest. Can we look at this with clear eyes, though? What the hell did people think was going to happen when they started having drag queen story hour in schools and libraries, and drag shows for children, in places like Tennessee? This has got to be the most contrived activist cause of the century… Might as well start leatherman story hour for kids, and then freak out when it gets banned.

    Michael
    Michael
    Offline
    Reply to  Jason
    7 months ago

    A major problem that has not been addressed is that registered sex offenders, pedophiles, former priests, can easily use drag to seduce children.

    Last edited 7 months ago by Michael
    Woke Up WEHO
    Woke Up WEHO
    Offline
    7 months ago

    Great photos! Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell who is a drag queen and who isn’t. I would rather see a bunch of hot guys with their shirts off. Bottom line, this is Boys Town not Drag Town.

    Last edited 7 months ago by Woke Up WEHO
    RELATED ARTICLES
    - Advertisment -

    Recent Comments On WEHO TIMES

    Latest Articles

    4
    0
    Would love your thoughts, please comment.x