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West Hollywood Picks An Inaugural Drag Laureate
Pickle's new role comes with a $12,500 honorarium each year, paid for by the city.
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Patrick McPheron
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Courtesy of Pickle
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Topline:
The city of West Hollywood has found its first-ever Drag Laureate in Pickle . The role is believed to be only the second of its kind in the U.S.
What’s a Drag Laureate? The position is somewhat similar to a poet laureate, except this is about recognizing and amplifying drag culture. The only other known Drag Laureate is in San Francisco, with whom Pickle will work. She’ll also act as an ambassador for West Hollywood by appearing at different city events and hosting an annual event of her own about drag history.
What should I know about Pickle? She’s from Los Angeles and has been doing drag professionally for eight years. Her long list of accomplishments includes running the L.A. chapter of Drag Story Hour. Pickle is also a masterful storyteller. (Back in LAist’s Unheard LA days, she shared her personal stories with us ). And in 2019, the L.A. city council gave her a certificate of recognition for her service to the community.
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When does she start? On July 1, Pickle will officially begin her two-year term as Drag Laureate. Her debut in this role will be at her installation event at West Hollywood Park on July 16.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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