Churches reimagine traditional Christmas celebrations with drag shows

Progressive church buildings in Colorado and Washington are internet hosting drag-themed Christmas occasions this vacation season along with extra conventional providers.

The Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted its third annual drag Christmas present, “A Drag Christmas Spectacular,” on December 19 and 20. The 90-minute efficiency is marketed as “a joyful, irreverent reinterpretation of the Christmas story that celebrates queer pleasure, chosen household and the facility of affection and acceptance.”

“Prepare for the last word festive extravaganza with ‘A Drag Christmas Spectacular,’ the place magical Queers make their approach to Bethlehem,” the event description says.

The occasion web site notes that the present options grownup themes and is advisable for ages 16 and older.

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The Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted “A Drag Christmas Spectacular” from December 19 to twenty. (iStock/Foothills Unitarian)

The Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, a queer-identifying minister at Foothills Unitarian, informed Colorado Public Radio that he created the occasion two years in the past in response to what he described as anti-LGBTQ laws being launched throughout the nation.

“I used to be type of sitting with that actuality, and being a queer individual myself, I simply realized what it takes for the church to step into this hole and say one thing,” Neil-Barron told the outlet in 2024. “What if we created this unusual little oasis, this little unusual sacred area in the course of the holidays, the place individuals can come and see their lives and their communities as helpful, which is so wanted proper now?”

He known as the magicians “outdoors characters” within the Bible story, which he stated contributed to the thought of ​​together with drag and LGBTQ themes in one other Christmas story.

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Christmas nativity scene. (Getty Photos)

“What in the event that they embodied this quest for queerness?… As a substitute of simply discovering Jesus, what if they really encountered queer individuals who got here alive, who had been born once more, who claimed pleasure, who claimed hope, who claimed resilience?” he stated.

The Colorado church is not the one congregation internet hosting LGBTQ-themed Christmas occasions this 12 months.

Emmaus Desk in Seattle, Washington, which describes itself as a “religious neighborhood” that’s LGBTQ-affirming and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, additionally hosted a “Christmas Carol”-inspired drag event on December 12 known as: “Drag Church: The Yassification of Ebenezer Scrooge.”

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“The Yassification of Ebenezer Scrooge is a conventional Christmas pageant reimagined by a queer lens,” in response to the occasion description. “Based mostly on Charles Dickens’ traditional A Christmas Carol, audiences observe Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s guided by three drag queen ghosts on a transformative journey. Collectively they assist him let go of disgrace and anger, embrace his true self and rediscover the enjoyment of neighborhood.

The occasion is described as “spiritually inclusive [and] household pleasant” and open to all ages.

Progressive denominations such because the Episcopalian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, and the United Church of Christ overtly welcome LGBTQ clergy and a few church buildings are recognized for internet hosting drag worship and different ministry occasions.

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Foothills Unitarian and Emmaus Desk didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.