PHOTOS: Peppermint, Paula Pell, Cody Rigsby & more icons gathered for Queerty’s Pride50 celebration
we honor 50 incredible LGBTQ+ people who have made an impact and inspired us over the last year –– from actors to activists, politicians to drag queens.
So, we brought together as many of these icons as possible, alongside some of the biggest names in queer entertainment and media, for one big party.Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.Let us take you behind the endless supply of dumplings, thirst-quenching libations, and Troye Sivan songs on repeat for the biggest moments of the night.After an intro assured us that Peppermint was in the building –– and most definitely a Faithful, not a Traitor –– the RuPaul’s Drag Race queen strutted up to the stage for a spot-on performance of Janet Jackson’s “Together Again”, complete with costumed background dancers.
Throughout the evening, Peppermint kept the ceremony rolling. Even when every speaker was just as gagged to see her onstage as the audience was.The illustrious Charles Busch was nearly speechless after a video recounting his groundbreaking work in drag, theater, and screen played before his Catalyst Award acceptance speech. “Everything I was about to say, I said,” the New York native quipped.Nonetheless, the Broadway icon stressed that he’s as grateful for the LGBTQ+ community as it is for him.
The Die, Mommie, Die! and Psycho Beach Party star explained that when he didn’t see a path forward, he carved one out for himself, encouraging the audience to do as much for themselves.The night was all about this year’s class of LGBTQ+ Pride50 movers and shakers.
