Chicago drag queens announce a follow-up to their Black Lives Matter march of 2020, which drew thousands of protesters to the North Side
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Chicago’s drag queens of color stepped up after George Floyd’s murder last year, quickly organizing a Black Lives Matter protest calling for more inclusion at majority-white LGBTQ entertainment venues, as well as an end to racism and police brutality.
Thousands attended the inaugural Drag March for Change, and applauded its goals.
Afterward, more than 30 LGBTQ bars, restaurants and nightclubs on the North Side agreed to work with the newly formed Chicago Black Drag Council to increase diversity and promote inclusion.
But there’s still work to be done, according to Drag March for Change organizer Jo MaMa, who has announced a second march this Sunday, with demands that include reduced funding for the Chicago Police Department, and the classification of anti-transgender violence as a hate crime.
“This year it’s broader,” said Jo MaMa, the drag persona of Chicago artist and bartender Joe Lewis, 35. “We looked at our community first, so we could clean up our own backyard. Now we can branch out beyond our backyard to the next level, which will be looking at local government. They can really be powerful and helpful in this.”
Once again, the protest is drawing some top names from the Chicago drag scene, with speakers including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums DiDa Ritz and The Vixen, as well as Miss Toto, Lucy Stoole, Drag Council Co-Founder Lil Nicki, Molasses Collective member Cae Monae and Jo MaMa.
Organizers are calling on the Chicago City Council to reduce police funding by 75% and use the money saved to invest in social services and community programs.
Other demands include justice for Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, by which organizers mean “abolishment of the system that took these lives” as well as restorative actions.
Marchers also want to see uniformed police banned from marching in Pride festivities, and the release of all protesters from previous Black Lives Matter actions.
The second Drag March for Change will be held in the Boystown neighborhood, which is now marketed as Northalsted. Demonstrators will gather at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Belmont Avenue and Halsted Street. Drag is not required and LGBTQ allies are welcome. The march, which starts at 1 p.m., will end with speeches by leaders of the drag community.
