'All about love': Jackson Pride draws largest turnout yet

An air of joyful resilience swarmed the Carl Perkins Civic Center Saturday, as hundreds of attendees from Jackson and beyond attended the third annual Jackson Pride annual celebration.

The Pride event marked its most successful year to date, by far, despite swirling opposition from local legislators and some local church members that pushed the event from its original location at Conger Park to the Civic Center.

“It’s been the most beautiful perfect day for Pride,” said Darren Lykes, chairperson of the Jackson Pride Committee. “It’s been a lovely time, everyone has been so wonderful.”

Booths from different pride groups and local organizations, as well as vendors and live music filled the space as attendees enjoyed an explosively colorful, celebratory environment.

“I think thus far, the number of people here has been amazing,” Lykes said. “The joy on their faces makes it worth it. And seeing the diversity and inclusivity throughout the day has been amazing.”

Previously:State, local legislators try to halt Jackson Pride drag show

Related:Jackson Pride 2022 to place age restrictions on drag show

Attendee Jeremy Bratcher, who swanned his way through the crowds with shimmering holographic wings, expressed his appreciation for the warmth of the community gathered in the halls of the Civic Center.

“This is 2022. There’s too much hate,” he said. “People love to hate and hate to love, and this event is all about love.”

The day-long celebration closed with Jackson Pride’s first-ever drag show, the cornerstone activity of the day that drew ire from state and local legislators and some local church members.

While around 20 protestors gathered outside the event hall, loudly telling attendees that they were “on the path of iniquity” among other statements, those inside awaited the 18 and over drag performances.

Bryce Kelley, descending the stairs to the drag show in a vivid purple sweater and matching crown, was ecstatic to see the performances.

“It’s been so great being here, great vibes,” he said. “Everyone is super friendly. It’s felt very inviting and warm.”

A Lexington native, Kelley said he had never been to a Pride event like this.

“It’s been really nice,” he said, adding that the upheaval did not sway his decision to go at all. “There’s drama surrounding it every year, that’s just something that happens. It didn’t deter me at all. It was kind of amusing watching protestors outside.”

Drag Queen Bella DuBalle, dressed in a glimmering gold gown, emceed the show, beginning the night by reminding members of the LGBTQ community of the struggles they faced to gain the right to have pride events—and likening that resolve to the resolve Jackson residents faced to hold the event.

“For four days and nights, we fought for our liberty and our freedoms,” she said, referencing the Stonewall Riots of 1969. “We gather here tonight to celebrate that achievement. To cheer for those victories and to remind ourselves that we still have struggles. It reminds us that no matter how they try to stop us, love will always win. And we will always rise.”

18 and up compromise implemented

A court decision ahead of the drag show placed an age restriction, 18 and up, on the event — a settlement reached by Jackson Pride organizers and local legislators like Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, who attempted to cancel the event altogether with an injunction request earlier in the week.

While a number of performances leaned into comedy or sheer fun like remixes of the Golden Girls theme song and rousing Rocky Top Tennessee performances, many dances seemed to focus on the resilience of attendees despite weeks of controversy leading to the event.

Songs like “Rise,” by Katy Perry, and “This is Me,” from The Greatest Showman, brought standing ovations from the crowd.

DuBalle, who is from Clarksburg, later thanked the Jackson community for being so welcoming despite the controversy.

“To be here tonight — a proud, openly queer person — celebrating in a city that I never thought would make me feel this welcome?” she said, visibly emotional. “It has just been a lovely experience to be here. This means everything to me.”

Atmosphere of love and respect 'meant everything'

After the show ended and the crowd began to disperse, performer Alexis Storm spoke with the Jackson Sun backstage.

“Being a part of something that was brand new, like Jackson’s first Jackson Pride drag show — and it being so big, especially after COVID-19 — was so special,” she said. “Especially since I graduated here and I’ve known these people on the committee for years. Being a part of something so special means absolutely everything to me.”

Storm, who grew up in Savannah, Tennessee, went to Jackson State Community College before beginning her drag career.

“Knowing how much diversity there is in the community itself, having this many people show up and show love for us, as human beings … they showed us so much love tonight, and you could feel every ounce of that love and positivity that reigned through that entire night,” she said.

Storm also encouraged anyone who was nervous to come this year to come again next year.

“Please try next year,” she said. “This is such a safe space, and we welcome everyone through those doors. We’re just people doing what we love, and we’re being who we are and being our truthful selves. We welcome everyone. And I want to tell Jackson I love them. Tonight meant everything to me. I’ll see you again soon.”

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson Pride sees largest turnout yet in 2022