Aronda Xystris – Artist Statement – “Drag Gals”
Drag Gals is a collection of images taken in the community of Cherry Grove, Fire Island, NY. This yearly historical event, the Independence Day Invasion and Parade, is the creme de la creme of creativity and excitement, with drag queens showing off their fabulousness for all to see. The tradition began in 1976, as a protest when one of the ‘Queens’ was refused service at a Pines establishment. What soon followed was a water taxi carrying several drag queens, dressed in full regalia, to ‘invade’ the Pines, in their self-made costumes. For many decades, the ‘Invasion of the Pines’ has been a consummate event, witnessed by droves of party goers who descend to the Grove and Pines each year on July 4th for fun and merriment.

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