The Pridelines Gala at Coral Gables Country Club dazzled with performances and raised over $100,000 for a vital cause. But amidst the celebration, Lady Bunny sparked debate, using her signature edgy humor to challenge the status quo and remind us that drag has always been about pushing boundaries—both for laughs and for change.
Photography: Stephen R. Lang
The highlight of this past weekend was the spectacular Pridelines’ Gala at the Coral
Gables Country Club. The night was packed with energy, featuring performances from
dancers, local youth musicians, and, of course, some of Miami’s most beloved drag
queens. It wasn’t just about entertainment, though—the event raised over $100,000 for
Pridelines, and included several honoree awards, including nods to Miami Girls Rock
Camp and Michael Roman of the City of Miami.
However, the spotlight didn’t just stay on the glitz and glamor. The legendary Lady
Bunny, known for her larger-than-life presence in the drag world, found herself at the
center of a heated debate. Her recent comments critiquing Democratic Presidential
Nominee Kamala Harris stirred up a whirlwind of reactions, turning what should’ve been
a celebratory night into a platform for political discourse. Local queer media and online
commentators were quick to pounce, arguing that Lady Bunny’s words were divisive at
a time when unity is crucial.
Let’s be real—Lady Bunny’s known for pushing boundaries, and her uncouth jokes
during the Gala were par for the course. Drag has always been about challenging
norms, making people laugh, and yes, making them a bit uncomfortable. Her humor, no
matter how edgy, is a staple of drag culture. But amidst the jokes, Lady Bunny also
dropped some real talk, emphasizing that politicians have a chance to make actual
change by passing the Equality Act. She reminded us that talking about change isn’t
enough—we need to demand it.
It’s worth noting that drag queens and transfolk have always been at the forefront of
LGBTQ activism. The Stonewall Riots, which were a turning point for LGBTQ rights,
were led by those very individuals who had the courage to fight back. Lady Bunny’s
actions and words, controversial as they might be, are part of that long tradition of drag
performers who use their platform to speak out.
The community turned on her for her comments, as if forgetting that drag queens have
always been the jesters who dare to speak the unspeakable. It’s easy for armchair
journalists and online commentators to blow things out of proportion, but the reality is
that Lady Bunny did what she has always done—used her platform to stir the pot and
get people talking. And isn’t that what drag is all about?
In the end, the Pridelines Gala was a resounding success. More than 300 people
gathered to support a cause that truly matters, and the event was a reminder of the
incredible talent and dedication within our community. Let’s not lose sight of that. Lady
Bunny may have ruffled some feathers, but she also reminded us that drag, at its core, is about challenging the status quo, even when it makes us uncomfortable. And isn’t
that why we love it?
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