Desi Pride Block Party returns to celebrate South Asian queer community
The celebration at Vancouver’s Punjabi Market will feature drag, music, and henna
Last year’s Desi Pride block party saw over 100 attendees. (Submitted)
The Desi Pride Block Party returns for a second year to celebrate the South Asian, queer, and BIPOC communities.
The block party will take place at the Punjabi Market on July 25 from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. It will feature a Desi drag show and live music.
The free celebration is organized by Sher Pride, a charity that supports queer South Asians and allies, and Queer Art Exchange, with support from the Punjabi Market Collective.
“The biggest [impact] is visibility, because often, and not just in our culture, but many disadvantaged communities or people of colour tend to have to hide and live double lives, or keep having to code switch,” says Joshna Hirani, Sher Pride’s community engagement manager.
The celebration was held for the first time last year after Sher Pride received funding from the City of Vancouver’s community placemaking program.
Hirani says they didn’t expect last year’s turnout of more than 150 attendees, and this time the event will feature more activities.
A South Asian Bollywood drag king will host the block party. Drag performers include Bad Shah, Jimmy, Jolene Queen Sloan, Ra, Nimrat The Drag, Kavika, and Destinee Dosanjh.
“The aim is to try and support different queer people of colour who are just part of the community and help them get these opportunities,” Hirani says.
The event will also include two henna artists and free coffee from Alai Coffee.
Hirani adds that Sher Pride continues to use the Punjabi Market Plaza for community events, and not just during the summer.
“The Punjabi Market Collective has worked very hard to try and revive Punjabi Market because it was quite vibrant a few decades ago,” Hirani says. “Often spaces and communities get quietly erased, and we don’t want that to happen.”
She hopes first-time attendees will be pleasantly surprised by the block party, adding that it will be decorated with Pride colours, Indian fabrics, and marigold garlands, with people dressed in traditional clothing.
“One thing that we found last year … is that there were people from all different age groups … and people from different communities, not just South Asian communities,” Hirani says. “I’m hoping that the same will happen this year.”
For more information, visit www.bit.ly/desiprideparty.
