NY City Council hosts, judges drag dance contest in first Pride Ball in chambers

The New York City Council on Wednesday revealed that its LGBTQIA+ Caucus had turned the historic City Hall council chamber in Midtown Manhattan into a runway for drag performers. The city council celebrated the "fierce performers" who came to the Pride Ball.

“TENS ACROSS THE BOARD at last night’s Council Pride celebration! The Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus hosted the Council’s first ever Pride Ball, turning the people’s chambers into a runway. Thanks to all of the fierce performers and proud New Yorkers who joined us in strutting into Pride Month the right way!” the city council wrote.

The June 2 Pride Month event featured drag artists who wore brightly colored costumes walking back and forth in front of council members who served as judges. The event was led by LGBTQIA+ Caucus co-chairs, Council Members Justin Sanchez and Chi Ossé.

Sanchez described the event in an interview with City and State New York. “The idea behind it is five boroughs, three categories, one crown, while keeping those categories close to the vest,” he said. “Ballroom is about self-expression. Ballroom is about truly tapping into whatever fantasy that you want to be for that day, that night, that hour. And it is about achieving dreams that usually were unachievable.”

The celebration comes as the caucus continues to advance a policy agenda detailed in its official mission statement. The caucus page on the NYC Council's website describes its mission as follows: “The LGBTQIA+ Caucus of the New York City Council shall establish legislative and budget priorities and the creation of community initiatives, rooted in the tradition of Black Queer feminism, to dismantle systems of oppression and promote the culture, contribution, and interests of the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City.”

Yanery Cruz, a trans-identified male who was recently appointed executive director of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus, said that his mission is to ensure that his role is about “protecting our community and building a future where every LGBTQIA+ New Yorker can thrive.”

The event drew criticism, with one user commenting: “Hey, that’s terrific! Let me ask you, did this display help with any REAL problems NYC is currently experiencing like: crumbling infrastructure, high grocery and gas prices, outrageous utility prices, homelessness, and crime? Yeah, didn't think so… SASHAY AWAY."