Asbury Park LGBTQ club Paradise will be the host of Drag Queen Visibility Day
Asbury Park’s Paradise Nightclub has announced that May 7, 2023 will be officially Drag Queen Visibility Day in Asbury Park. This proclamation from the City of Asbury Park comes on the heels of the State of Tennessee becoming the first state to sharply restrict drag shows by banning performances on public property and in places where they could potentially be viewed by minors.
What is happening in Florida and the anti-drag Tennessee law have now set a precedent for other states to follow. There have been subsequent moves to create similar laws in many other states.
On May 7th, Paradise will be setting a precedent of their own by declaring that day officially “Drag Queen Visibility Day”. This will symbolically show support for the art of drag and community as a whole nationwide. The Paradise/Empress Hotel complex invites the community to join in the many day-long events they are scheduling.
Empress Hotel Assistant Manager Ryan Jimenez expressed the need for this event right now. “Enacting these types of laws allows for harassment and the silencing of LGBTQIA+ individuals and opens the door for harsher and more dangerous legislation. We cannot be afraid and must do as we always have as a community to battle such blatant hatred. We hope by declaring this day, other municipalities will follow in step and show their support for our brothers and sisters nationwide.”
Paradise will hold a day long drag festival highlighting various drag performers who, through their own individual talents, will show that drag is much more than just entertainment. Paradise will be holding several all-day events. The events will include a bake sale, a child-friendly Drag Queen Story Hour, a Drag Queen Comedy Hour and a Drag Zumba class.
Former Miss Paradise winners Jolina Jasmine, Victoria Courtez, and current Miss Paradise 2023 Sapphira Cristal will all be taking part in the event along with many more drag entertainers. There will be other surprise queens and performers taking part as well.
For events prior to 5pm, Paradise will ask for a suggested donation of $5, with events after 5pm at a $10 cover charge. A portion of the queen’s tips and other proceeds from the event will be donated to the Human Rights Campaign.
For more information, check out Paradise website
