One Bowen resident is hoping to drag people to the polls this federal election.
Not physically of course, but rather by encouraging folks in the 2SLGBTQ+ community to get out and vote. Drag the Vote is a non-partisan campaign spurred by more than 100 drag performers across Canada who are looking to make an impact in this month’s election. The efforts are backed by Momentum Canada, a national queer advocacy society.
“The goal is to encourage the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies to educate themselves on the candidates in their ridings and to vote for the candidates that are allied the closest with the community,” says Breanna Himmelright, who lives on Bowen and participates in drag performances under the stage name Lavender Flame.
“There are a couple issues that are universal to the queer community and everyone in Canada: affordable housing, tackling the affordability crisis, health care,” explains Breanna. “But the overarching theme is protecting the human rights and dignity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and upholding Canada’s status worldwide as a country that has been progressive on queer issues and queer rights. Because we’ve enjoyed that reputation for a very long time.”
Himmelright notes Canada decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, and in the past two decades the country legalized same-sex marriage, recognized transgender rights under Bill C-16, and banned conversion therapy in all provinces and territories.
“We’ve made incredible strides in upholding the rights of the queer community, and what Momentum Canada and Drag the Vote want to ensure is that we keep that momentum going.”
Because, Himmelright explains, despite these advances there continue to be examples of discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada. “We’ve seen protests at drag storytimes, we’ve seen incredibly vile rhetoric on the subject of gender affirming care and on transgender people in everyday life.”
Drag the Vote is therefore emphasizing a close look at candidates’ statements and actions regarding these issues in order to elect officials who will work to reduce incidents of homophobia and transphobia going forward, and certainly to stop these cases from growing. “We want to encourage high voter turnout within the queer community, because those voices are very important,” says Himmelright.
Breanna’s inspiration to participate in Drag the Vote was also inspired by being involved with the Vancouver drag community for the past year-and-a-half, performing on-stage as Lavender Flame.
“The queer community in Vancouver, but the drag community especially, is incredibly creative and I firmly believe Vancouver has some of the best drag in Canada. Everyone I’ve worked with in that community has been so welcoming and has taught me so much,” says Breanna.
“I feel like I can be the most myself that I’ve been in a long time, and I want to make sure that the joy and the warmth that I felt being a part of drag remains available to everyone.”
Himmelright has been busy promoting Drag the Vote through poster and sticker drives on Bowen and in Horseshoe Bay, through her social media profiles (@lavenderflame.ypk), and at performances. A drag show organized by the Dogwood Monarchist Society featuring Lavender and other Drag the Vote ambassadors is scheduled to take place in Vancouver on April 27, the day before the election.
Ultimately the payoff will be seen at the polls. Breanna hopes to convince even those without politics at the front of their minds to come out and have their voice be heard.
“It’s so incredibly important for people to know who their candidates are and know what they stand for. I know there are some people who might think of politics as being kind of boring, or maybe they just don’t want to get involved. But when your life and your overall happiness depend on who gets into office, you don’t always have the option to just disengage,” says Himmelright.
“You have to be informed, you have to know who you’re dealing with, and you have to be able to make the choice accordingly.”
