As drag culture takes heat, WeHo’s 1st Drag Laureate keeps her cool

West Hollywood is set to anoint singer and performer Pickle as its first Drag Laureate — the city’s first official ambassador for the drag community and the second to hold that title in the United States.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Pickle’s connection to WeHo runs deep. She got her start at Flaming Saddles eight years ago, where she started as a guest performer before becoming the mainstay host of all their drag shows.

Known for her powerhouse hosting skills, captivating performances and dedication to community activism, she has collaborated with numerous individuals and organizations to bring the art of drag to people’s lives. Her partnership with the city on Drag Story Hour has been particularly impactful, promoting inclusivity and sparking interest in reading among children.

Her new role comes with high stakes at a time when drag culture is more visible — and, arguably, more controversial — than ever before.

But Pickle is always the adult in the room.

In April, she bravely intervened to de-escalate a protest and violent counter-protest that erupted over Drag Story Hour at WeHo Library.

A drag queen addresses the counter protesters and thanks them for their support, but requests that they “deescalate,” saying that the “ruckus” distracts from “what the program is trying to do, which is teach kids about compassion, about reading, about expressing themselves.” pic.twitter.com/TY4oOgNEHE

— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) April 15, 2023

“Ironically, creating a ruckus will actually distract from what the program is trying to do, which is teach kids about compassion, reading, and self-expression,” she told both groups of protesters. “If their core memories of the event are fights breaking out in the lobby, that’s what they’re going to remember, and they may start to feel afraid. Even though I understand the effort it takes to organize and escalate this protest, … we are striving to keep it community-oriented and nonviolent.”

Pickle sees the outrage directed at drag queens in conservative parts of the country as “smoke and mirrors,” a political maneuver more than anything.

“Their issue with drag arises from its connection to the queer community and the fact that it’s an art form traditionally practiced by the queer community,” Pickle said. “So I think that the sort of baseline misconception is that queer people are somehow wrong or somehow dangerous or need to be eradicated, and then the fear of drag stems from that. I mean, they don’t have a problem with drag as a concept because, as we’ve seen in the media, a lot of them have done drag.”

Pickle doesn’t believe it’s her role as Drag Laureate to evangelize the detractors.

“I think my focus has always been on the people who want to participate in the art form,” she said. “You know, with Drag Story Hour, it’s like I provide Drag Story Hour and the parents that want to come and bring their kids, they come. And the parents that don’t, don’t. Like, you know, I’m not gonna go to their houses and knock on the doors and be like, ‘You need to appreciate that.’ I think the best thing I can do for the art form is to continue to be a community leader and a model. And the rest will follow, you know?”

Pickle disputes the idea that drag queens are somehow inappropriate for children.

“Drag isn’t controversial; people make it controversial,” she said. “Drag as an art form is about concealing a part of yourself to reveal a deeper truth that connects with an audience. I find it very conducive to children as many core values of drag such as joy, self-expression, humor, acceptance, and compassion are values we want to teach our children. Of course, there are versions of drag that wouldn’t be appropriate for children, just like there are movies, musical performances, and theatrical performances that aren’t suitable for them. ”

So what do the kids themselves think about it?

“Kids are much more sophisticated, smart, and open-minded than we give them credit for,” Pickle said. “Mostly, children just enjoy it because it’s like dress-up and it captures their imaginations. Many drag performers are charismatic, fun, and just like when kids go to Disneyland and see Goofy walking around, they don’t ask Goofy existential questions. They simply enjoy it because of the character. Occasionally, a child may ask, ‘Are you a boy or girl?’ and I might respond with something like, ‘I’m both.’ But really, it’s the adults who tend to impose intellectual examination on kids. Kids just enjoy the sparkles and the fun.”

She would direct parents with questions to other resources.

“I’m not a child psychologist or therapist, nor am I a professional spokesperson for the trans community. I don’t feel the need to instruct or impose. I’m there to exist. It’s actually quite rare for kids to ask those kinds of questions. They generally take everything at face value. If I walk into a room and say, ‘I’m a unicorn,’ they’ll just go along with it. Kids are just fun and they want their imaginations to be captivated.”

The title of Drag Laureate holds immense meaning for Pickle. It symbolizes the dignity and attention she believes drag deserves. On a personal level, it represents the years of hard work, perseverance, and carving out a unique path in the entertainment industry. As someone who defies traditional norms, Pickle sees the title as a validation of her unconventional journey and a reminder to be proud of her accomplishments.

To stay updated on Pickle’s journey and connect with her on social media, you can follow her at @pickledragqueen and visit her website at www.pickledragqueen.com.