ST PETE PRIDE DETAILS REBRANDED DRAG PAGEANT

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST. PETERSBURG | St Pete Pride’s annual drag pageant will return April 30 from 5:30-11 p.m. at the University Student Center of USF St. Petersburg, open to all genders as the reimagined Mx St Pete Pride Pageant.

Formerly the Miss St Pete Pride Pageant, the event has entertained audiences for more than a decade. Previous winners include fan favorites like the late Star Montrese Love, Kori Stevens and Delores T. Van-Cartier, whose 2022 reign will be honored this year.

St Pete Pride first announced this pageant’s expansion Feb. 28, citing “the current political climate in Florida.” The state’s 2023 legislative session officially began with a Republican supermajority March 7 with a slate of anti-LGBTQ bills targeting transgender health care, drag performers, LGBTQ inclusion in schools and more.

“In our twenty years of existence, St Pete Pride has worked hard to be inclusive, our umbrella ever more expansive,” the board of directors said. “But we also recognize our shortcomings in that pursuit. Moving forward, we will refocus our efforts to bring more voices to the table, reimagining how we celebrate pride, and truly honoring the rich diversity that makes our community great.”

“In celebration of our city’s rich diversity, St Pete Pride is proud to introduce the Mx St Pete Pride Pageant,” Executive Director Nicole Berman explains. “The 2023 Mx St Pete Pride Pageant will be open to all contestants, regardless of gender.”

This year’s contestants will compete in three divisions: Miss, Mr and Mx. Miss will feature stage personas who identify as female, Mr will feature stage personas who identify as male and Mx will include personas who are gender diverse/nonbinary.

A winner from each division will win a crown and $1,500 cash, with performances during St Pete Pride 2023. A minimum of two contestants in each division will be required to compete and registration is open to the first 12 applicants now. The entry fee is $150. Tickets to attend Mx St Pete Pride begin at $20 with preferred seating at $35. VIP tickets are $75 and include a meet and greet with Van-Cartier and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Kennedy Davenport. Tables are available for $1,000 and include 10 tickets with other benefits.

“The art of drag and its performers are an integral and vibrant part of the St. Petersburg LGBTQ2SIA+ and greater community. We look forward to honoring the artistry, beauty, and dedication to the craft of this year’s contestants,” Berman says. “Nothing brings St Pete Pride more joy than creating spaces where people are empowered to be true to themselves.”

The 2023 Mx St Pete Pride Pageant is 18+ and scheduled for April 30 at USF St. Petersburg’s University Student Center, located at 200 6th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. For more information, visit StPetePride.org.