Anatomy

2026 Buffalo Pride Parade was different from any Buffalo pride Parade I've done in the past. Usually a happy, party like event, this year, I walked with a different state of mind.

On june 3rd , a good friend, a buffalo drag king legend, passed away Christain Gaye. It felt as if I had a giant storm cloud above my head at pride. Trying to stay focused on our group float and my outfit the days after the news as a way to cope and distract myself, using art to combat emotion is the best medicine I know.

This year we decided to play into our groups name Grave Glamour Draglesque , and do a cemetery scene. I volunteered to take on this project, measuring the uhaul trailer as detailed as I could, hand painting the canvas backdrops, cutting drywall installation foam and painting/using a hot wood carving knife to sculpt & engrave the foam. Maddi Moon s husband made us an awesome coffin frame to stand in on the float. Everything went to plan and was executed well, but Pride just hit differently this year.

Not only the unexpected passing of a friend, the current height of the political climate in the US with all the hate, prejudice, and attacks on the LGBTQIA community. This year it was hard to have feelings of celebration (and I do apologize if I looked unhappy marching) what kept me fueled that day though was not just the memory of my friend, but the thought of our communties roots, stonewall. Pride was a protest. Days leading up to the parade I told myself, i am not going to walk in the Buffalo pride Parade.... I am going to march, I am going to be visible, and I am going to protest. I did just that.

I decided to create an iconic black blazer, not very flashy from the front but once I walk past you will know I am a loud and proud Bisexual. I am in a straight passing relationship, i often get dismissed or overlooked as being q***r from just looking at me. Until you get to know me, its hard not to see. That was the idea of my blazer, not flashy from the first look but once I walk past you cant miss the sequin pink, purple, and blue train behind me.

I created and carried a gravestone to match the theme. One side said "bi bi bi till the day I die" the other side "death to g*tekeeping" . Some attendees i could tell were confused and some knew exactly what message I was sending and felt seen. As a bisexual, and Ive seen others such as pansexuals, Asexuals and Transgender people be exclude by others from the LGBTQIA community as if there is a g*te, and they are somekind of security guard asking us to prove our credibility in order to be considered a part of the LGBTQIA community. Ive experienced this from a former best friend of mine, a le***an, telling the internet that I am a fake bisexual because Ive never dated a woman and to get out of her community. The same person who faced g*te keeping by other le***ans for not being a "gold star" le***an ( a ridiculous term for le***ans who have never been with a man ever)

In online LGBTQIA groups ive been called transphobic for being bisexual. Bisexuality doesn't just mean attraction to 2 genders, you can be attracted to multiple genders, it is having heterosexual and homosexual attractions.

This year for me was all about continuing , preventing bierasure, and protesting g*t keeping in our own community. It was about continuing on, and marching forward when the skys are grey and our country unraveling and trying to rolling back civil rights not only for gay people, but for transgender people, black people, people of color, and women.

Keep on marching, never stop fighting, and continue to resist.

***r *tekeeping *tekeeping

Ps huge shout out to our lovely friends Be Witched Buffalo for sending us photos, videos and love from the parade lot.
Thank to the Buffalo satanic temple for honoring Christian Gaye on your jeep in the parade. It made me bawl.

It's been a hard week, despite all the pride activities

I am still at a loss for words, and grieving the loss of an iconic Buffalo drag King, and my friend and Drag Brotha from another M***a
Christian Gaye (Mahlia Lowell)

My deepest condolences to their family, partner, friends, and colleagues. It was always a great time when she would have g*therings for friends for various events and holidays. She also made sure to extend an invitation, she made you feel welcomed and included.
I will cherish not only the times we hung out at her home for get togethers, delicious dishes she made, but she helped me, offered advice and guidance when I started being a drag King. I always considered her my "drag brother from another mother". She supported me and helped me with winning my first drag pageant, a title I will never forget. Mahlia "Christian Gaye" was truly a staple and name not only in the Buffalo drag scene, but extended to CNY, PA, GA and beyond. It was such an honor to have you help crown me for my first pageant, but also crown me for my 2nd pageant win. To tell me if I had ran against you when you ran for snowflake I would have kicked your ass, was the biggest compliment and accomplishment of that evening.
I always admired their determination to over come personal challenges while lifting others up, and being a q***r role model to q***r high school youth groups.
I am really gonna miss our inside jokes about our fake show "party kitchen" and sharing silly dumb shark puppet videos to each other. Talking drag looks and pagent package ideas, and running them back and forth to each other. I'm gonna miss you my friend
*shark puppet noise
"yeeeeeea"

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mahlia-lowell-obituary?id=61616261&utm_source=webshareapi&utm_medium=share_button&utm_campaign=wsapimobile_beta@

A huge thank you to the 250+ people that came out for our May Buffalo Gay Bingo "Its gonna be May" a 90s/Y2K bingo, it was an energetic crowd, I am so grateful for you all. Especially as we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary and being so amazing to me (the newbie) on my 3rd season as a co host.

This month we donated $3000 to Upstate NY Black & Latino Pride.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for your continued support and dedication. We couldn't do this without you. Thank Pin Ups for a Cause New York for always assisting and being some of my biggest cheerleaders!

Please join us Saturday, June 13 for our final bingo of the season as we celebrate Pride!

You can make reservations for parties of 6 or more by messaging Buffalo Gay Bingo on their page.