The winner of the popular Canadian Drag Race show, Priyanka, who was born to Guyanese parents, is in Guyana on a visit to not only reconnect with the birthplace of her parents, but to also showcase her talent as an international pop star.
Priyanka will headline a concert on Saturday at the Theatre Guild playhouse. The concert is meant to celebrate the progress that Guyana has made on LGBT rights.
In an interview, Priyanka said initially she was warned against performing in Guyana due to fears that persons from the LGBT community are targeted and assaulted.
However, she explained that was pleased to learn, through the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), that the country has been making steady progress in the acceptance of LGBT persons.
“When I did some research, everything online said it was really bad here for drag queens, LGBT people, trans people but then I met Joel from SASOD and it was very like, girl what are you talking about. Like yes, we have work to do, everywhere has work to do, Canada has work to do, the States has work to do but there are gay people in Guyana, in Guyana, I couldn’t believe that,” Priyanka said during an interview.
A recent study found that a large portion of the Guyanese population not only supports legal protection for LGBT people, but also thinks it is Government’s responsibility to protect persons from the LGBT community.
Further, the study found a majority of the Guyanese population is supportive of the elimination of laws that are discriminatory against LGBT persons.
Priyanka said there is a need for persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, to co-exist peacefully and respectfully.
“I always say as a community, LGBTQ community, we have to meet people where they are at. We are so tired and we are so bullied and so many of our community members being killed all over the world all the time because of their identity. My mission and my message is to spread the word as to how do we meet middle, how do we as a society exists in the same space, and just treat each other like human,” she said.
The concert, which is being hosted by SASOD Guyana and the Drag Academy will also mark the launch of the Guyana Pride Festival 2025.
According to SASOD, it will be no ordinary drag show, as Priyanka promises an electrifying performance.
Priyanka’s debut album of original music was launched in August this year.
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