City of West Hollywood Selects Pickle as City’s Inaugural Drag Laureate
BY ORLY LYONNE
The City Council of the City of West Hollywood unanimously approved Pickle as the City’s inaugural Drag Laureate last month. Pickle was selected through an application process with a selection committee comprised of members of the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission.
The public event for the Drag Laureate installation will take place on International Drag Day, Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 3 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard.
“This year, we’ve witnessed conservative attacks on drag performers by those who seek to ban culture and expression,” said Councilmember Lauren Meister. “Plain and simple, this is a proxy for homophobia and such ‘drag bans’ attack LGBTQ people. I’m thrilled that West Hollywood’s Drag Laureate program will raise awareness about drag culture and I’m overjoyed to welcome Pickle as our inaugural Drag Laureate.”
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected as the City of West Hollywood’s inaugural drag laureate,” said Pickle, in an interview with THE FIGHT.
“Increasingly, we are able to share our love for this incredibly unique and powerful art form from larger platforms, and it is one of the bright spots in my life not only to share my own work but also to advocate for the exceptional artists I have had the opportunity to meet during my time as a drag performer thus far.”
Pickle is a powerhouse host, performer, and community activist. She is a singing drag queen and comedienne who values education, community, and humor. She has been performing in drag professionally for eight years and has collaborated with many people and organizations to bring drag into people’s lives.
A Los Angeles native, she received her BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Pickle has focused on blending education initiatives into her drag work and runs the LA chapter of Drag Story Hour.
She has partnered with many organizations to present unique and dynamic drag programming. Pickle is dedicated to expanding drag as a medium both for herself and for the community. She has appeared on television on NBC’s “The Weakest Link,” the Discovery Channel’s “Dodgeball Thunderdome,” and Tyler Perry’s “Sistas.”
She collaborates regularly with live musicians to incorporate big-band sound into her performances and is committed to exploring new technologies for the art of drag, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
As West Hollywood Drag Laureate, Pickle will serve a term of two years from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. During the term, the Drag Laureate is expected to enhance the presence and appreciation of drag culture and arts in West Hollywood; promote partnerships with West Hollywood business and community organizations; celebrate the spirit and special qualities of the City of West Hollywood and its residents; and inspire an emerging generation of drag artists by celebrating and promoting drag history.
The Drag Laureate will work with City staff to serve as an ambassador for West Hollywood. Pickle will attend approximately 15 events throughout the year, including WeHo Pride and West Hollywood Day. The City will also organize a yearly event to celebrate drag history, promote West Hollywood drag culture, and invite the West Hollywood community to attend.
For more information about Pickle, visit www.pickledragqueen.com.
