Celebrate Pride on South Pearl

Come meet The Pie Queen of Denver on June 17

Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson
Special to Colorado Community Media
Posted 6/6/23

Martin Howard spent years of his life making waves in New York City as a trained executive pastry chef, thrilling locals with his chocolate-made marvels. In 1996, Howard and several of his culinary …

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Celebrate Pride on South Pearl

Come meet The Pie Queen of Denver on June 17

Posted

Martin Howard spent years of his life making waves in New York City as a trained executive pastry chef, thrilling locals with his chocolate-made marvels. In 1996, Howard and several of his culinary colleagues participated in a chocolate-themed fundraising benefit where all of the chefs presented a themed tasting table. Howard’s was themed around “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” an Australian drag-themed road comedy from 1994. Howard came in drag as Chocolatina, Queen of the Dessert. She served a dessert in the shape of a high-heeled shoe and did a musical baking demo.

On that day, Chocolatina Q. Dessert was born.

Later after moving to Denver, Chocolatina became known as The Pie Queen.

“The Pie Queen started during COVID when we had no work. I started at home, then Epicurean Catering — where I work — let me use their kitchen,” said Chocolatina. “During COVID, people were starved for comfort food and live entertainment. I decided to bring it to their front yard.”

On June 17, join Chocolatina as The Pie Queen of Denver at Pride on South Pearl, a fun-filled local pride event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

“I will be there to provide sweet treats and musical merriment,” The Pie Queen said.

The event’s festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Historic South Pearl Street in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood. It will include food trucks, live music and other entertainment, and much more.

The event will also raise funds for The Center on Colfax, a nonprofit that serves the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The Center on Colfax gives a voice to Colorado’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, and plays a pivotal role in statewide initiatives to reduce harassment and discrimination.

Pride on South Pearl is a family friendly event with activities for people of all ages. Attendees can participate in an educational Pride flag scavenger hunt, prepare for The Center on Colfax’s Denver PrideFest 2023 — which takes place June 24-25 — with tie dying at the Second Star to the Right bookstore, and dance the night away at the DJ Dance Party with DJ Cyn.

“We encourage the community to come dressed for a good time and demonstrate their support for Pride,” said Jody Fidler, event organizer and a South Pearl Street merchant.

Pride-goers can also engage with two of Denver’s most notable drag artists, Alice Glamoure and The Pie Queen herself. Alice Glamoure will be leading Drag Queen Story Time and The Pie Queen will do a song and dance performance and will have her tasty pies for sale.

“I am so excited that the Pie Queen will be singing and dancing during our Pride on South Pearl event,” said Fidler. “I read about her during the pandemic and hired her to entertain friends and bring her delicious pies to two special occasions. Aside from the fact that we bonded over New York roots, the Pie Queen is charming, funny and an extremely talented performer and baker.”

The freedom of creative gender expression through drag has been under fire in recent months with some states restricting drag performances in public spaces. Denver, however, has generally been a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Gov. Jared Polis recently signed HB19-1129, which prohibits mental health care providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under 18 years of age; and HB19-1039, Jude’s Law, which allows for easier change of gender markers on identification documents.

Though Colorado has several laws supporting the LGBTQ+ community, some Coloradans are concerned about HB23-1135, a 2023 State House Bill that increases the penalty for indecent exposure in view of a minor under 15 years of age from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. Opponents of the bill have some concern that it could lead to restricting drag shows in Colorado. The bill is currently waiting for Polis’ signature.

“Everyone should be able to live their life freely and fully without being threatened,” The Pie Queen said. “Visibility is the best way for people to get over their fears. If someone told me in the ‘80s that we’d be at this point now, I would have laughed. We’ve gone backwards, but here in Denver, it seems to be embraced, thank goodness.”

To find a list of the entertainment and attractions for Pride on South Pearl, visit southpearlstreet.com/pride-on-south-pearl.

South Pearl Street, Denver, The Pie Queen of Denver

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