Since 2023, May 7th has been recognized in Asbury Park as Drag Queen Visibility Day at Paradise. Dedicated days like this are more important now than ever before as the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community are under constant threat and attack. With a line-up of events from a drag carwash, Drag Zumba, Drag The Boards (a queens walk down the boardwalk), to a final drag show extravaganza, the day was packed with glam, advocacy, and community! The day is dedicated to the queens who uplift and enrich the vibrant community of Asbury Park as well as the crucial and dynamic allies that support them.
Now in its third year, the City of Asbury Park, and Paradise, Asbury’s premiere nightclub, honored one of its own former Miss Paradise winners (2022), Crystal Envy, recent star and current reigning Ms. Congeniality from the current season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Presenting the honor to Crystal, was another New Jersey gay icon, housewife of New Jersey royalty and self-proclaimed drag queen, Margaret Josephs.
Margaret awarding Crystal this proclamation from the City of Asbury Park was simply a natural fit. Margaret (along with her dynamic mother Marge Sr.) is a former Miss Paradise judge, and Margaret remains a consistent and loyal advocate to the LGBTQ community. Crystal and Margaret’s own relationship goes way back to when Crystal (also an acclaimed makeup artist) worked with Margaret and the other cast members of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, regularly getting them into full housewife glam. This moment at Drag Queen Visibility Day served as a full circle moment for the both of them.
Unbeknownst to Margaret however, she was also being honored that night by the community that she loves so dearly. New York City drag performer Vanity LaVain (drag daughter of Drag Race star Olivia Lux, who Margaret & Marge Sr. helped crown Miss Paradise 2020) presented Margaret with the ‘Real Ally of New Jersey’ award for her endless support and consistent hard work for the queer community.
Margaret has consistently used her platform to promote inclusivity and champion the talents of queer people. Whether that’s showcasing drag on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, raising the pride flag for the town of Englewood, or judging Paradise’s own Miss Paradise drag pageant, Margaret demonstrates a real ally every stiletto step of the way
In accepting her award Margaret said, “Now more than ever with what’s going on in our world, we all have to stick together to speak up and speak loudly.”
Events like Drag Day of Visibility, establishments like Paradise and community members like Crystal Envy & Margaret Josephs not only each serve as a rallying call of sorts to help bring the queer community together, but to embolden our allies to stand with us unapologetically in the face of oppression. It is more important now than ever before to celebrate days like Drag Queen Visibility Day and Pride to show that we will not be going anywhere anytime soon.
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