A confluence of occasions has led one Calgary church to mix them in a celebration of “value and dignity,” and a “sacred protest.”
“We talked about doing ‘Drag Me To Church’ one Sunday and we went, yeah, that’s an important risk,” Rev. Samaya Oakley of the Calgary Unitarians Church mentioned. “And I seemed on the calendar and I noticed that this specific Sunday is Trans Day of Visibility.
“And I believed, what higher method to rejoice Trans Day of Visibility by holding a ‘Drag Me To Church’ service on Easter Sunday? In order that’s what we’re doing.”
Oakley mentioned it’ll be a “typical Sunday service” for the pluralistic congregation, however with a twist: drag performers can be a part of the service.
The all-ages portion will embrace a narrative learn by one of many performers.
“It’s a narrative a couple of younger baby who identifies in another way and desires to put on totally different garments at college and the way they get assist for that,” Oakley mentioned. “The youngsters can be despatched out, we’ll do an providing, and our providing goes to assist Skipping Stone.
“I’m going to inform the Easter story by way of (the drag performers) dance, so I’ll inform a bit little bit of the story, a performer will come out, we’ll sing some songs. Will probably be a wonderful occasion.”
Benjamin Tanner, who goes by the stage title of Jessica Bunny, is likely one of the drag performers who can be a part of the retelling of the Easter story.
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Tanner mentioned when the Unitarians reached out, it was “fairly uncommon and really thrilling.”
“I believe as queer folks, at the least for myself, issues like church and religion will be one of many first issues that go after we come out as ourselves. Having an area like this be so welcoming is de facto lovely,” Tanner mentioned.
“Easter is the time of recognizing transformation.”
Tanner’s been doing drag performances for 15 years and mentioned they’ve confronted discrimination and ostracization for longer.
Oakley mentioned a part of the intention behind the occasion is to point out the trans and LGBTQ2 group the church sees their “inherent value and dignity.”
“Each time a toddler is born, it’s a sacred and holy second. A spark of the divine involves life within the being of this baby. So who’re we to say that this spark of life is something however good and valued, and has inherited wealth and dignity? And that’s what we need to rejoice on this specific Sunday,” Oakley mentioned.
Occasion ticketing is at capability and the church has been working with Calgary police for the security of the attendees and performers. Oakley mentioned she expects to see an opposing protest throughout the road.
“I plan on serving them espresso if we get them and serving to them be comfy doing what they do,” the reverend mentioned.
Tanner mentioned “Drag Me To Church” supplies a possibility to have the range of the group be extra than simply acknowledged.
“There’s so much inside our group that has come up these days and I believe it’s actually lovely to tie in to Easter as a result of, actually, what it’s all about is simply celebrating our variations and celebrating one another for who we’re,” Tanner mentioned.
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