Happy Pride,We Hate You
I asked friend, trans woman and influencer Draya King a couple of questions about what Pride month means to her and to give me an update and reflect on her first Pride month in LA since COVID-19 and moving from Los Angeles.”
“Being a trans woman is hard to find a space to exist outside of the gay community in the workforce.”
Draya: “After doing some extensive media coverage at the Out Loud Music Festival in West Hollywood, California I kinda had an introspective moment. It showed me how far I came as a journalist but also being a trans woman is hard to find a space to exist outside of the gay community in the workforce.
Q: So is that how your magazine Klickbait was started? We do have other LGBTQIA representation when it comes to podcasts or magazines and even media but I feel like it’s something different that you offer with your site.
“But I hate being classified as an LGBTQIA publication.”
Draya: “I started Klickbait because I wanted to create my lane in these spaces without having to ask for permission or deal with grandfathering and homophobia or just being out of the social circle and being new to the scene, as in LA they tend to be extremely cliquey. The way I use Klickbait is it’s really a promotional tool. The name in itself is clickbait, but I only talk about upcoming projects and ask professionals in their craft about making it and allowing them to give inside scoop about the field through their personal experiences.
But I hate being classified as an LGBTQIA publication. I would much rather be classified as a woman who happens to be trans with a magazine because they use classification as a way to put you in a box!
Roman: I can understand that especially being a fem male. A lot of times people automatically assume that they should carry you a certain type of way, in all actuality it's like no, respect me like the boss I am. Not my mannerisms as it doesn't define me. My sexuality doesn't define me either, what I bring to the table does or should at least.
Draya: Well first off shout out to all the girls, Laverne [Cox], Amiyah Scott and Ru Paul because I really feel like they truly help pave the way and open doors and allow me to be the person that I am today. Someone that I have to just give a special shout out to is Saucy Santana. He has been grinding so hard and it's so hard to be a gay rapper especially in today's climate everyone's on Lil Nas X but Saucy Santana is actually the culture and when you think of the gay world Saucy Santana is it and so I'm so proud to even have someone that represents us like that. Even to interview him he was very much about his business and also he put on a hell of a show.
Roman: I completely agree with you.
“I typically only tend to work with brands that do things for the community outside of Pride and not just when it’s Pride time.”
“It needs to be a part of your culture and not accepting on a case by case, but accepting everyone because that’s just human rights regardless straight, black, white, gay.”
Q: I know you work with a lot of brands. How do you make sure that you're the representation and also not a sell-out when it comes to working with companies that want to push Pride propaganda?
Draya: Well when it comes down to it, so does reputation, I always make sure that I am the best version of myself first and foremost, and then of course the best representation of the community as obviously I’m here to represent. Also when it comes to working with brands during Pride I typically only tend to work with brands that do things for the community outside of Pride and not just when it’s Pride time to get the content. Brands like Chick-fil-A will say ‘Happy Pride’ but politics will turn around and actually hate you and put money to support bills against you. It needs to be a part of your culture and not accepting on a case by case, but accepting everyone because that’s just human rights regardless straight black white gay.
The Takeaway
Most brands look at Pride as a way to celebrate LGBTQIA, but their form of celebration often unintentionally otherizes queer communities. We are treated as if we are supernatural or special when we are fighting to be seen as just human like everyone else. Even the limited run time of queer inclusion to pride only showcases the ‘othering’ of queer communities, including brands that say ‘Happy Pride’ but will turn around and actually hate you and put money to support bills against you. We need to be a part of your culture and not accepted on a case by case, but accepted because we’re just human rights regardless straight black white gay.