Drag Performer Tina Burner Says Pride 2020 Honored Its Roots

This year Pride has looked a lot different than it has in the recent past. Although insted af it being a new version of the annual event as some have contended, the change really reflects a return to the origins of Pride. And like in the past, drag performers have helped to lead the way.

Drag performer Tina Burner, who is the reigning National Miss Comedy Queen, has spoken out in the past on a variety of issues inlcuing LGBTQ+ rights and U=U. For Pride this year she partnered with the alcohol-delivery service Saucey for their first-ever Pride campaign. For it, Saucey donated $1 from each sale to support GLAAD this month.

"June has always been an important month to Saucey because of Pride," Saucey Founder & CEO Chris Vaughn said in a release. "This year, with the country quarantined, we wanted to help people celebrate virtually by bringing a party to their door. GLAAD and Tina Burner are the perfect partners to join us as we support the continued fight for equal rights and recognition."

Here,we talk to Tina abou tthe project, Pride, and showing solidarity.

How did you get involved with this project?

As a performer, I've always said I'm sassy and saucy so when I was approached for this project, it felt like a natural fit. Saucey is an alcohol delivery platform that guarantees delivery in 30 minutes or less. The concept made so much sense for Pride this year when a lot of people still aren't comfortable leaving their homes, it was a way for people to still celebrate without compromising their health. Plus the campaign benefits GLAAD, an organization I champion.

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride means equality, acceptance and love for everybody. It means being proud of who you are - living a life without fear and continuing to push forward.

How has celebrating Pride changed for you this year giving the protests and social distancing?

Pride definitely looks different this year but only for the better. This year, Pride honored its roots and collectively reminded everyone of its history and where it started: a Black, trans woman leading protest in retaliation against unjust police Seeing the community come together and stand up for the BLM movement has been incredible and at the same time something that should have never been necessary.

Even though drag is thought of as an innate form of activism, there's also always been a long history of truly doing the work and being on the front lines. Is there a drag performer historically that you admire or look back to often?

Divine for continuing to push boundaries and make fearless choices. Sometimes drag doesn't have to be outwardly political but rather act as a catalyst to generate dialogue and shift perspectives. That's what Divine did.

As an ally, what is one thing actionable thing other white LGBTQ+ folks can do to show solidarity with and assist Black communities?

Listen and stand up. And wash and repeat. Whether some people like to admit it or not, many have lived a life of privilege and now is the time take time to understand and acknowledge those facts and to fight for people who don't have it.

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