DJ SHAWNA will never forget the first year she was offered a Sunday afternoon slot performing in the dance pavilion for PrideFest. “I was scheduled at the exact same time as the Pride Parade in Walker’s Point. There’s a reason PrideFest ends on Saturday now, because on Sunday the whole community is at the parade.” The turnout for her set was minimal that year, but the opportunity to serve as a role model for women and queer people offset any disappointment. “I want to be the person for these young queer people who I really needed when I was in their shoes – someone to say ‘we are a family and we’ve got your back.’”
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
JORNA TAYLOR has loved the dance pavilion since it was just a tent in Veterans Park. This year will be slightly different – in her new role as manager, it’s Taylor’s responsibility to program the event. As always, she’ll look forward to the last 10 minutes of Saturday night. “It’s perfect because the crowd has this crazy, frenzied energy. Every dancer is on stage giving it their all, the sound is near deafening, and it’s glorious.”
TERRANCE RAFFEET has always been protective of his people, so volunteering for the PrideFest security team just made sense. He started in 1997, which was also his very first PrideFest. Raffeet views his role as a duty to the community that he loves so deeply. “Seeing my people in this carefree scenario, feeling safe to let their guard down no matter what is happening in the news, is the best part of the weekend by far.”
MELEE is a local drag star and returning host at the dance pavilion. They see drag performance as an artistic effort and a cornerstone of the local community’s celebration of queerness. To them, the most special part of the PrideFest experience is witnessing true authenticity on and off the stage: “I just adore seeing my coworkers, friends and drag family get out there and do their best for the crowd, but also for themselves. This is Milwaukee Pride. This is how we uniquely show up for each other.”
MARK GERBER is the director of entertainment at PrideFest, in charge of booking drag shows, comedians and artists for the SKYYline main stage. When he has a free minute, he always finds his way to the market to connect with the vendors and hear their stories. Though he has enjoyed other pride festivals around the country, for Gerber, none of them compares to Milwaukee. “People travel far and wide to experience our festival for a reason.”
