Arts & Entertainment
Drag Queens to make first-ever Super Bowl appearance, thanks to Sabra ad
We already know that this year’s Super Bowl includes the first-ever openly LGBTQ coach in the event’s 54 year history. Now comes word it’s also going to feature the first drag queens.
Hummus brand Sabra will feature two alumni of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Kim Chi and Miz Cracker, in an ad that will run during the NFL championship game on February 2. AdWeek reports that the barrier-breaking commercial is part of a campaign which also features rapper T-Pain and former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” rivals Caroline Manzo and Teresa Giudice.
“We’re bringing a diverse group of personalities to the table and demonstrating just how incredibly versatile, relevant and relatable hummus is today,” said Jason Levine, Sabra’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We think we’ve got something for everyone.”
A teaser for the ad campaign, posted by Sabra on YouTube last week, offers a glimpse of the two queens, in which Miz Cracker is struggling to put a football helmet on over her enormous wig, saying “I hope this doesn’t give me helmet hair,” while a bemused Kim Chi watches.
Talking to NBC, marketing strategist Bob Witeck, who specializes in marketing to LGBTQ audiences, said the inclusion of the two popular queens in the ad is “revolutionary.”
“For queer audiences, [drag] is an art form and an ‘outsiders’ language. Reaching the Super Bowl means taking our language into every home in the nation and millions around the world.”
Predictably, there has been blowback. A petition started by Catholic website LifeSite has called for a boycott of the big game, describing the inclusion of the drag queens “a new low for the Super Bowl.” Another petition, from the notorious One Million Moms, a front for the American Family Association (designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center), deplores the ad by saying, “Normalizing this lifestyle is contrary to what conservative, Christian parents are teaching their children about God’s design for sexuality.”
Conservative backlash aside, Witeck says there has been a “sea change” in public attitudes toward drag over recent years, a normalization due in large part to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Now, for the first time, the Sabra ad will put drag into the living rooms of approximately 100 million football fans during arguably the biggest sports event of the year.
“The Super Bowl is the ultimate test, when you can take chances like this and realize that the fear of drag is nothing people imagined it to be,” says Witeck. “It’s us telling our own joke about ourselves, with a sense of humor and authenticity… with luck, everyone laughs with us.”
The Kansas City Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers for Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, February 2 at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The game will air live on Fox at 6:30pm ET.
You can watch the teaser for the Sabra ad featuring Kim Chi and Miz Cracker below.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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