Southeast Kansas Pride will take place in September in Independence

Project Q&A is excited to announce the 5th annual Southeast Kansas Pride, September 7-11, 2021, in downtown Independence, Kansas! “We’re Comin’ Out: Southeast Kansas Pride,” celebrates and raises visibility for the rural LGBTQ community in Southeast Kansas. This year’s festival features in-person and virtual events including workshops, panel discussions, a drag show, community dinner, and more.

Dusty Ray Bottoms hosts the annual drag show

Kick-off Pride each day with Lunch and Learn workshops, live-streamed at noon (CST) on Facebook (@MGKSLGBTQ). Workshops include topics such as mindful self-compassion, LGBTQ history, climate change, and more.

Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8 join in on two panel discussion via Facebook at 7:00 PM: “Addiction and the LGBTQ community” and “Growing Up Out.”

Get social at Stoney B's | Photo: Facebook

In-person events include: Pride Social on Thursday, September 9 at Stoney B’s. On Friday, September 10, at the Booth Hotel is the annual Pride Drag Show, headlined by Dusty Ray Bottoms (Louisville, KY) from season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Other performers include the host of the show, Amanduh Masters (Wichita, KS), and performances from Effi Darling (Wichita, KS), Sexual Chocolate (Wichita, KS), and Lady Bearica Andrews (Los Angeles, CA).

You won’t want to miss Pride in the Park on Saturday, September 11. Head to the Riverside Park and Zoo 4H Building for a day of entertainment, vendors, food, trivia, small-town charm, and more.

Following Pride in the Park is a free community dinner at the Booth Hotel with keynote speaker Representative Stephanie Byers, the first openly transgender person to serve in the Kansas Legislature and the first transgender Native American person elected to office. She is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Following the community dinner, take a night out on the town with the LGBTQ community!

Stephanie Byers

For more details and to purchase tickets go to projectqna.org/southeast-kansas-pride.

Project Q&A is the leading nonprofit organization raising awareness for the over 2.9 million LGBTQ individuals who call rural America home. The organization works to educate rural communities on queer issues, empower LGBTQ individuals and allies to create sustainable change, and raise visibility to create safe spaces. To learn more about Project Q&A or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit projectqna.org.