Calvary Episcopal Church to Host a Drag Show in Honor of Pride Month

The Drag Show Will Benefit the Church’s Ministry of Feeding Neighbors in Need

by J.C. Phelps

Louisville, KY [June 2023] – Calvary Episcopal Church, which was founded in 1860, has a long history of reaching out in love to their neighbors. In that spirit, the Downtown Louisville congregation invites and welcomes all inside their doors to celebrate the end of Pride Month with their inaugural Drag Me to Church: A Gospel Drag Show.

Calvary, a beautiful and lively church located at 821 S. 4th Street, believes that every person is a beloved child of God. This unconditional love is what inspired the church to host a drag show. As a parish, Calvary strives to follow the promises that they have made in their Baptismal Covenant to see Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being.

“I am proud and honored to be able to offer Drag Me to Church: A Gospel Drag Show at Calvary as a way of affirming our long-standing support of our LGBTQIA+ friends and to invite new friends to come to our beautiful space in a different way,” said The Rev. Dr. Lee F. Shafer, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church. “It saddens me that so many have been hurt and even oppressed by churches, the very place that should welcome all of God’s people with open arms. I hope folks will venture into Calvary and feel like they are truly welcome and truly loved.”

Drag Me to Church will be held on Friday, June 30th at 7:00 PM. All are invited to a reception before the show, which will begin at 6:30 PM. Donations are encouraged, which will go to support Calvary’s food ministry, which serves around 90 individuals daily on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Both food and monetary donations are welcomed.

“I am uniquely qualified to attest to the longtime commitment Calvary has always maintained in support of the LGBTQIA+ Community,” said Margaret Dickinson, a parishioner who generously devotes her time to the food mission. “It is especially gratifying to me, as one who has balanced music and food at Calvary for 58 years, that we can join forces to host a musical event with the proceeds targeted to feed the needy around us. A drag show inside the walls of Calvary? Why not!”

Drag Me to Church will feature talent from six drag queens and is hosted by Louisville legend Cadillac Seville. “We are thrilled to close out Pride Month with a drag show at Calvary,” proclaimed Cadillac, who has been in the entertainment industry for 40+ years. “At times, it seems like we are moving backward with the state of affairs in our country. Events like this help us push forward and be proud of who we are and who we love.”

Parishioners share in the excitement for the show. “On the front page of our bulletin, Calvary explicitly states that we welcome all: people of color, the LGBTQIA+ Community, drag queens, the partnered and single, those that are differently-abled, families and children, the young and the old, our houseless neighbors, the alcoholic and addicted, believers and those questioning faith, and anyone who desires a spiritual home,” said JC Phelps. “Calvary is a church where all have a seat at the table. Whether at the drag show or during Sunday Service, all are always welcome to sit beside me.”

Drag Me to Church is a family-friendly event that is free and open to the public. For any questions, please contact The Rev. Dr. Lee F. Shafer at rector@calvaryepiscopal.org.