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From left, audience members Kim Wilcox, of White River Junction, Vt., Mikey Barton, of Windsor, Vt., and Eric Marks, of White River Junction, react to a performance by David Price, of Middlesex, Vt., aka Luci Furr-Matrix during an all ages Pride Month drag show at The Exchange in Windsor on Friday, June 23, 2023. Between performances drag queens talked about the value of inclusivity and queer joy, especially during an era of increased discrimination directed at trans people. โWeโre one big family,โ said Anthony Wood, of Rutland, Vt., aka Rita Cocktail. โThatโs how we stay strong.โ (Valley News / Report For America – Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. -
Tonya Durant, left, of Brandon, Vt., performs as Anita Cocktail alongside Jae Martin, 12, of Brandon, aka Shenita Mocktail, during an all ages Pride Month drag show at The Exchange in Windsor, Vt., on Friday, June 23, 2023. The show was Martinโs second time ever participating in a drag show and her parents and sister were in the audience to cheer her on. โIt is so empowering and so freeing,โ Durant said of performing in drag. (Valley News / Report For America – Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. -
Darcie Allen, left, of West Rutland, Vt., aka Mama Dukes, helps Tonya Durant, of Brandon, Vt., aka Anita Cocktail, apply her false eyelashes before an all ages Pride Month drag show at The Exchange in Windsor, Vt., on Friday, June 23, 2023. Durant, who grew up in Windsor, started participating in drag shows six years ago and said the experience has given her access to parts of herself she didnโt know existed. โIt gave me so much confidence,โ she said. โAnita lets me the person Tonya is afraid to be.โ (Valley News / Report For America – Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
