Drag performers Icon Ebony Fierce and Sapphira Cristal always planned to have a gala and fundraising event highlighting performers and artists of color. However, they felt a stronger sense of urgency after recent allegations of racism in the Gayborhood and Donald Trump’s presidential election.
“After all of these events happened, we were like, OK, there’s no excuse anymore,” Icon said. “We need to get this done. We need to have an event like this only because it’s either now or never.”
This event became an all-inclusive Jan. 13 gala entitled “Something Of A Different Color.” The all-ages evening will feature performances from Ann Artist, Boy Blue, The means., Dada Cos, Honey Davenport and DJ Jclef. Icon and Sapphira will host and perform while also encouraging audience members to take the microphone and voice their concerns for the country.
Attendees can make donations between $5-$500 at the door with proceeds going to the William Way LGBT Community Center, where the event will be held. Chris Bartlett, executive director at William Way, said the evening will provide an outlet for those who often don’t have voices.
“I think that if you want to see some of the brightest creativity in our communities emerging from people of color, this is the place to do it,” Bartlett said.
Icon said she wanted the event to be for all ages because most events in the Gayborhood are for people over the age of 21. When she’s not in drag, Icon volunteers at The Attic Youth Center and noticed young people do not have many options for celebration.
“They don’t really have a place where they can go and celebrate being gay or a person of color or to have fun and have a safe space that’s not boozy or crazy,” Icon said.
She added this event will help increase solidarity among youth while communicating with them.
“We’re not going to back down and we’re not going to let you back down because there’s still spaces for you to come,” Icon said as a message to young people. “There’s an area for you to express yourself and be who you are.”
O’Neill Haynes, Sapphira’s name when not in drag, mentioned the dress codes of Gayborhood bars. He said he has seen support for queer people of color, but that it’s hard to determine how far support goes.
“It is hard to figure that out when the people in charge really don’t want certain types of music, or certain types of outfits or shoes,” Haynes said.
Haynes said Something Of A Different Color encourages others to “dress to impress,” although the meaning is up to the individual.
“I get impressed by someone in really nice Skechers,” Haynes said. “We want everyone to come into a space where they are allowed to be their most special selves.”
Haynes said he plans for “Something Of A Different Color” to become a monthly event benefitting alternating charities. He would also like to teach a cooking class to youth and have them cater the event to encourage community involvement.
Until then, Haynes said this event is “not only called for, but needed” and he encouraged others to attend.
“People should come to this event because it starts that whole conversation that we’ve been trying to have,” Haynes said. “It will be that place where people can have that conversation with each other openly and without fear of being judged.”
“Something Of A Different Color” will be held 6 p.m Jan. 13 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.