Wave Staff Report
WEST HOLLYWOOD — The City Council has unanimously chosen Pickle to be the city’s first drag laureate.
Pickle was selected June 26 following an application process with a selection committee comprised of members of the city’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission. An installation ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. July 16 at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.
“West Hollywood has been one of the centers of drag culture for decades,” Councilwoman Lauren Meister said. “Drag performers are often a thrilling attraction at many of our restaurants and bars and West Hollywood’s drag performers take center stage in a wide range of our city’s arts and culture events.
“This year, we’ve witnessed conservative attacks on drag performers by those who seek to ban culture and expression. Plain and simple, this is a proxy for homophobia and such ‘drag bans’ attack LGBT people. I’m thrilled that West Hollywood’s drag laureate program will raise awareness about drag culture and I’m overjoyed to welcome Pickle as our inaugural drag laureate.”
Pickle is a performer and community activist. She is a singing drag queen and comedienne who values education, community and humor.
She has been performing in drag professionally for eight years and has collaborated with many people and organizations to bring drag into people’s lives. A Los Angeles native, she received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence College.
Pickle has focused on blending education initiatives into her drag work and runs the L.A. chapter of Drag Story Hour. She has appeared on television on NBC’s “The Weakest Link,” the Discovery Channel’s “Dodgeball Thunderdome,” and Tyler Perry’s “Sistas.”
She collaborates regularly with live musicians to incorporate big-band sound into her performances and is committed to exploring new technologies for the art of drag, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
As the city’s drag laureate, Pickle will serve a term of two years through June 30, 2025. During the term, Pickle is expected to enhance the presence and appreciation of drag culture and arts in West Hollywood, promote partnerships with West Hollywood business and community organizations, celebrate the spirit and special qualities of the city of West Hollywood and its residents; and inspire an emerging generation of drag artists by celebrating and promoting drag history.
As drag laureate, Pickle will attend approximately 15 events throughout the year, including WeHo Pride and West Hollywood Day.
The drag laureate program provides a $12,500 honorarium each year, and a $2,500 stipend for the annual city drag event, totaling $15,000 per year.
