Teyah Parent, features editor
The room at New City Center was filled with music, drag and community on Sept. 5 as local artists came together for Pink Aid IV, a fundraising event organized by Pink Place and Twin Cities Trans Mutual Aid (TCTMA). For TCTMA, events like Pink Aid are part of the effort to provide direct support for the Twin Cities trans community. The organization describes itself as a grassroots, community-led organization that assists gender-nonconforming, trans and intersex people in Minneapolis and St. Paul with meeting their needs. Pink Aid uses Minneapolis’ do-it-yourself (DIY) music and drag communities to create a space where people can contribute while also celebrating local performers. The fundraiser featured musical acts including Anita Velveeta, Doll Chaser, Virginia’s Basement and Jonger, alongside a lineup of drag performers including but not limited to: Mink Hole, Sprinkles Sparkles, Father Les Behavior, Davie Bash and The Big Cheese.
“It is an amazing way for trans and queer people to come together because of the rollback of trans rights under this administration and with some of the bathroom bills that we’re seeing, along with the increase in barriers that prevent access to gender affirming care—especially for youth. An influx of trans people are coming to the Twin Cities as a sort of safe haven. This organization really supports the rights of trans people who live here to not only just live, but survive and succeed,” states Avery Cheeseman, the drag king known as The Big Cheese.
The citizens of the Twin Cities who are allies, or even members of the trans community came together to celebrate art and foster a strong sense of community. For performers, participating in an event like Pink Aid means more than just taking the stage. It offers an opportunity to use the existing artistic community to support people who may need financial or material assistance.
According to Cheeseman, “art is a really important way to understand someone’s heart and soul. Drag and performance art in general has a really strong connection to the queer movement. Drag is a wonderful way to both highlight and critique the world around us. A big part of drag looks at this idea: how can we move forward positively, and what are the possibilities of imagining a future where we can all live and thrive? It does a really good job of allowing people to just ponder these things and experience community involvement while growing as an individual in self-discovery.”
Drag and performance art in general has a really strong connection to the queer movement. Drag is a wonderful way to both highlight and critique the world around us.
Avery Cheeseman
In the Twin Cities, music, drag and grassroots organizing intersect to create spaces that are entertaining and community-oriented. For TCTMA and its supporters, the event offered another opportunity to turn local creativity into tangible support for members of the trans community. Seeing local trans artists and activists all working together to raise money for the trans people in their own community is such a beautiful precedent in a way that uses creativity to build fruitful community ties. Artists were not compensated for this event. It was local performers, vendors and drag artists who decided to get involved without any monetary compensation. Grassroots organizing is very much a labor of love. What better way to give your time, energy and heart than to perform/showcase your own art, see the art of others and support an awesome cause?