Northern Door Pride had its main Pride Month event tonight — a circus-themed evening at the village hall in Sister Bay. I’m hard to drag out of my home on weeknights during the best of times, so I wasn’t sure if I would make it. But my sister-in-law came through and went with me and I’m glad we took the time.
The hall was packed in the most validating way — all these people showing up on a Tuesday night to show their pride. We made it in time to participate in the raffle and see the address before the performances. It’s also where I learned that Wisconsin is one of the few states in the nation that doesn’t currently have anti-LGBTQ+ legislation happening. That may change, it’s not perfect here, but it does make you feel proud to be in this state. And to hear all the voices in the room cheering in support and love . . .
Someone from the governor’s office even came and gave a supportive statement — Tony Evers just raised the progress pride flag above the state capital a few days ago as he’s done every year since he took office in 2019 — the first Wisconsin governor to do so.
After the address was a half-hour show of local performers.
You may be picturing one thing when I say that, but you have to remember that Door County is a community overflowing with performing arts. So many of these people are in actual theater productions. There were dances, songs, two performances from the drag queen Gypsy Black, and an ending dance and a musical number of “The Greatest Show” from The Greatest Showman.
It was really fucking good. I cried. There is something about being in a community of queer people in my own community that felt incredibly validating and healing.
With Love,
Natalie