PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A drag queen and activist is bringing drag mainstream, and erasing stigma around it one show at a time.
"Pride is something that should be celebrated every day," said Brittany Lynn, LGBTQ activist and head of Philly's Drag Mafia.
Lynn is taking her show out of the Gayborhood and in front of mainly straight crowds, because, as she said, the best way to bridge communities is through exposure and laughter.
Christina and her friend Catherine Davis, while not part of the LGBTQ community, said they heard about Lynn and Drag Mafia's inclusive shows. They wanted to see what they were missing.
"It was wonderful. This was actually my first drag show and it was so fun," said Christina, "exactly what I needed right now."
"Brittany Lynn, she was hilarious," said Davis, "and the performers were amazing. I had a good time, I feel good."
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Lynn's audiences, however, aren't limited to club patrons. Lynn also helms Philly’s Drag Queen Story Time program, which sees her reading to children at area schools and libraries.
No matter the venue, Lynn said she appreciated audiences like Christina and her friends. "They're good allies," she said. "They're the real deal."
Lynn also hosts Drag Trivia the second Wednesday of each month at Bok Bar. Aug. 10’s installment is sci-fi and nerd-themed.