Inclusivity and Diversity Take Center Stage at Weho’s Drag March, Drawing Thousands to the Streets
By Susan Payne
Santa Monica Boulevard was the center of the inaugural Drag March on April 9, rallying thousands in solidarity of the LGBTQ community facing discrimination across the United States.
“In the words of our lord and savior Michelle Obama, ‘When they go low we go high,’ and that’s what we’re here to do,” a marcher named Glitterous told CBS News.
Driving the march was the recent anti-LGBTQ legislation enacted in the country.
“This year alone more than 400 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation has been introduced and passed throughout the United States,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
The bills have, especially targeted transgender people.
“These bills directly target transgender people by denying them access to gender-affirming care and criminalizing free gender expression,” Hollendoner said. “They seek to ban books that include LGBTQ people — erase us from history lessons and force queer people back into the closet.”
Politicians and Pride activists alike rallied the crowd before the march, drawing attention to the reason for the fight, CBS News reported.
“It’s an abomination to see our LGBTQ+ community constantly used as a target of hatred because they are failing and they know they’re wrong,” said L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
After the march, West Hollywood city officials signed a resolution to help artists and performers feel safe, denouncing anti-drag laws being drafted in some states, CBS reported.
“We owe it to our young people to create a world where they can grow up knowing they’re loved, respected, and valued no matter who they are or whom they love,” said Hollendoner.
