It was a spectacular night of music, pageantry and lots of laughs at the Pride Niagara Kick Off Party held on June 3rd at the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
Emceed by the infamous Miss Claudia Silva, the evening included the Miss Pride Niagara pageant. Performing their step-down numbers were last year's winners Macy Manolo (Miss Pride Niagara) and Kayim Syder (Mr Pride Niagara.)
Contestants for this year's title included Tammy B (who performed her new original single "Take Me or Watch Me" which she is happy to announce will be released on SoundCloud June 6th.) and Kino Saigawa.
Also appearing this night was the legendary American drag artist Lady Bunny (yes...the real deal, Rupaul's bestie) who kept the room in stitches with her humour and also posed for photos with party goers in a meet and greet.
Attending the Kick Off Party for the first time was Unity Award nominee Justin Preston (founder of 'Rise Against Bullying') who was blown away by the event.
Said Justin on Facebook; "I never really have the option to have a night out with having fun. I'm so proud of Pride Niagara for bringing in so many people.I have never had so much fun as I did last night and glad to been able to attend one of my first dance parties that Pride Niagara hosts"
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| Enzo DeDivtiis photo-Standard |
"I still cannot believe Claudia was Enzo DeDivitiis." Justin said in amazement, "[Which] only shows I need to get out more often."
Niagara Pride Week continues with flag raising ceremonies across the region June 5th, the 4th Annual Unity Awards June 7th and the 6th Annual Pride in the Park extravaganza on June 10th.
Celebrating Niagara’s sexual diversity
Filling our hearts with even more pride, Enzo DeDivtiis - Pride Niagara board chairperson - appeared in an article in the local newspaper The St. Catharines Standard, where he spoke about Pride Week and diversity in the region. To read that article click here.
