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<\/a>\u201cIt\u2019s a unique space where anyone can come and appreciate and experience queer culture in a welcoming environment,\u201d says Brougham.<\/p>\n
With Pride on the horizon, venues like Friends of Dorothy offer a comfortable space to celebrate with one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is lots of allies,\u201d says Brougham. \u201cIts queer specific, but important to have and invite allies and friends and to share community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some performers who have hit the stage at Friends of Dorothy include Vancouver\u2019s Mina Mercury and local king Sylvester Stalletto.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBurlesque and stripping is brand new to FOD and not something you see in this city,\u201d says Stalletto.<\/p>\n Stalletto says that one of the best parts of having a space in town like Friends of Dorothy is the ability to curate a show specific to sharing sex-worker rights and art.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful to get to hear how bringing queer pole dancers and burlesque performers has such a profound impact,\u201d says Stalletto.<\/p>\n Brougham, who also performs as Decathlon Queen, says it\u2019s important to be open to new events and says that what may be lacking in the city are competitions. He\u2019s on the heels of hosting the most recent competition for clothing design, and he says that the future has more in store.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe next event will be the Lip Sync Assassin of Dorothy, a drag- and queer-specific competition featuring six contestants,\u201d he says, adding that the judges lined up for the event include local queen Ket Bush and Virgin Radio morning show hosts Bailey Parker and Johnny Novak.<\/p>\n While Friends of Dorothy has offered the space to explore, the experiences that come from having a stage and voice continue to have lasting impressions. Stalletto says that their experience with venues hasn\u2019t always been positive.<\/p>\n \u201cI struggle[d] as a trans Latinx drag king to feel I was valued when [a] cisgender hetero white audience didn\u2019t respect me,\u201d says Stalletto. \u201cI was able to take my skills and power into my own hands to create my dream experience for myself, my performers, and my audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n