WATCH: First-Ever Drag Show at National Constitution Center

Yesterday evening, the National Constitution Center held a grand opening celebration for the opening of its first LGBT exhibit, “Speaking Out for Equality.” The event drew a crowd of about 600—everyone from State Representative Brian Sims, who looked dashing in his rainbow suspenders; Philly Pride’s Franny Price with purple hair a blazin’; and even the out owner of Geno’s Steaks Geno Vento.

There was a fantastic spread of food and drinks, and everyone was in the best of spirits. I popped in toward the beginning of the party so I could catch what has been billed as the first-ever drag performance at the Constitution Center. The queen in question was John Jarboe, founder of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, who strolled onto the stage with the Philadelphia Voices of Pride draped in a flag dress and wearing a crown à la Lady Liberty that was made out of the Constitution. The performance started with him asking the crowd to raise their hands and twinkle their fingers, then …

It was perfect in every way—the ideal blend of humor and irreverence and tribute to the community. Bravo!

This morning, the Constitution Center will hold a short ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opens “Speaking Out for Equality” to the public, and then it’s yours to explore through January of 2016. For more information, go here. Check out our sneak peek at the exhibit here.