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Drag Pride Showcase 2025: Queer Community Celebrates Virtually With Livestreamed Drag Extravaganza
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On September 12, 2025, the Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce will host its 10th Annual Drag Pride Showcase, a virtual event livestreamed to audiences across the globe. This milestone edition is set to feature celebrated drag performers such as Ariyah Fuego, Veranda L'Ni, Gaia Naturi, Melissa Ross, Denise Russell, Sassy Sascha, Bella Sin, Ryder Slowly, and Bram Stroke-Her, each bringing unique artistry and personality to the digital stage .
The decision to livestream was deliberate, ensuring accessibility for queer people and allies worldwide—especially those in regions where attending physical Pride events is not feasible or safe. The event exemplifies how the queer community is using technology to celebrate Pride, express identity, and foster solidarity in a rapidly changing world.
Marking its tenth year, the Drag Pride Showcase has evolved from a local in-person celebration to a global platform for queer expression. This evolution accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many Pride celebrations moved online out of necessity. Even as in-person festivals have returned in some areas, virtual components remain critical for inclusivity and reach .
This year's showcase will take full advantage of digital platforms. Livestreaming via social media will enable real-time engagement, with performers interacting with viewers through live chat, shout-outs, and requests. Fans can post reactions and celebrate their favorite acts using event-specific hashtags, amplifying the event’s reach on platforms like Instagram and Twitter .
Beyond entertainment, the Drag Pride Showcase is meant to be a vehicle for digital activism and fundraising. Throughout the event, host will highlighted ongoing struggles faced by queer people, such as legislative attacks on transgender rights and the need for mental health resources. Viewers will encouraged to donate to queer nonprofits, with links provided in the livestream and on event social media pages .
This blend of celebration and advocacy reflects a broader trend: virtual Pride events are increasingly leveraged to mobilize support and raise awareness. Organizers employ digital toolkits, shareable infographics, and coordinated calls to action, empowering participants to become activists from their own homes.
Social media will be central to the event’s sense of community. Pride-themed filters and badges circulate on Instagram and TikTok, allowing users to express identity and solidarity. Virtual watch parties are emerging organically, with groups set to use video chat apps to experience the event together—sometimes across continents. For many queer users, especially those in rural areas or places with limited local resources, such online gatherings offer a crucial sense of belonging.
The Drag Pride Showcase is intentional in highlighting performers from diverse backgrounds, including transgender and nonbinary artists, people of color, and a range of drag traditions. This commitment to intersectionality wil be echoed in the chat discussions and post-event panels, which will address topics such as accessibility, mental health, and the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in drag performance.
The event will feature sign language interpreters and closed captioning, ensuring accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Organizers emphasize that digital Pride spaces must be as inclusive as possible, setting a standard for future virtual events .
