In a supposed show of solidarity for the LGBT community, the Calgary Unitarian Church is hosting an all-ages drag show for their Easter services this year.

“Easter Sunday Service has never been so LIT! DRAG Queen Performances and story time for all ages, singing, dancing, and so much more,” reads the church’s Eventbrite page, titled “DRAG Me to Church: What does TRANSformation mean today?”

According to a Facebook post from Calgary Unitarians, the Easter service drag show is intended to be “thought-provoking” and is being done as a “sacred act of protest” as they explore the concept of “TRANSformation”.

Additionally, rather than taking collections for the church, all proceeds will be going to a non-profit that supports the trans community through activism and legal action.

“No matter what tradition you’re from, I guarantee you that you will have people in your community who identify on the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum,” said Rev. Samaya Oakley, “whether they are free to say it or not. If we are truly people who believe in the goodness and the inherent love that exists in this world, then we would extend that to people on that spectrum.”

As for the hosts for the drag performances and drag queen story time, the church has lined up four performers: Indigo, Jessica, Liv Bright, and Visa De’klein. The church also promoted Karla Marx earlier this year, who some may remember hosted Drag Queen Brunch at the Calgary Stampede in 2022.

A “sacred act of protest”

According to their Facebook page, this “sacred act of protest” is being carried out to “support our Trans Siblings during this current political climate”. In other words, it’s being done to protest the Alberta government’s decision to ban the prescription of puberty blockers for minors and Premier Danielle Smith’s continued stance against children transitioning before they are “old enough to understand the consequences.”

“We’re talking about sterility—let’s be frank about it,” Smith said.