In honor of Pride Month, we are highlighting Instagrammers who identify as LGBTQIA and are well-known drag queens, advocates, influencers and nonprofit organizations.
These 11 Arizonans and Arizona-based groups have racked up thousands of followers with their variety of content. Scotty Kirby is known for his photography, Ashley and Malori for their aspirational relationship and Rose Montoya for her advocacy for visibility of transgender and other marginalized people.
This June marks the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that took place June 28-30, 1969, as well as a slow return to in-person celebrations after most events went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arizonans will have to wait a little longer for Phoenix’s biggest Pride celebration this year. Phoenix Pride is celebrating “40 years of fortitude” in November, rather than April, due to rescheduling.
“Pride committees commemorate the birth of the gay and lesbian rights movement each year across the country. They host rallies, parades, marches and festivals in the month of June, many on or around the 28th,” Phoenix Pride’s website says. “These activities keep the spirit alive and allow us to renew our energies toward educating the general public about our Pride in ourselves and our right to exist.”
In the meantime, check out these 11 Instagram accounts to celebrate the spectrum of people who make up Arizona’s LGBTQ community.
Astrud Elizabeth Aurelia, @astrudaurelia
Musician and singer/songwriter Astrud Elizabeth Aurelia found drag a way to “liberate myself from the traditional, sometimes suffocating nature of music school, where I studied jazz music,” according to a 2019 feature on Aurelia on World of Wonder Productions’ website.
“I’ve found the perfect way to blend my love of music, fashion, performance art and all things punk in one spot,” reads Aurelia’s bio.
You can find Astrud Elizabeth Aurelia performing for the Queer Agenda at Stacy’s @ Melrose on Tuesdays.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/astrudaurelia.
Diné Pride, @navajo_nation_pride
Diné Pride, which bills itself as the “largest Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebration in the country,” takes place June 14-20 in Window Rock on the Navajo Nation. Last year, the Navajo Nation Council formally recognized the third week of June as Diné Pride Week.
“Diné Pride will reintroduce traditional knowledge & teachings that kept our LGBTQIA+ relatives safe and revered — the way our culture recognized at one point in history,” the organization’s website says.
The organization’s Instagram account shares upcoming roundtable discussions, panels and drag shows, many of which are accessible virtually, that highlight Indigenous members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Since 2005, same-sex marriage has been prohibited on the Navajo Nation.
Co-founders Brennen Yonnie and Alray Nelson are also founders of Diné Equality.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/navajo_nation_pride, https://www.navajonationpride.com.
Gay Pride Apparel, @gayprideapparel
Sergio Aragon and Jesus Gutierrez are the West Valley-raised Arizonans behind Gay Pride Apparel.
The couple developed the “LGBT-owned and minority-owned” brand with designs such as “Sounds gay; I’m in” while living in New York City. Seeing “Riverdale” actress Lili Reinhart wear that piece of apparel was a thrill. Aragon and Gutierrez have since returned home to Phoenix.
Gay Pride Apparel began as a “creative outlet and also as a way to kind of take back the Pride merchandise,” Gutierrez told The Arizona Republic in 2020. “A lot of the companies would come out with seasonal products, and we kind of felt that our community deserves better.”
He added: “We wanted to be present year-round.”
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/gayprideapparel, https://gayprideapparel.com.
‘Acceptance and equality for all’:A Phoenix love story sparked an LGBTQ pride clothing brand
Joey Jay, @joeyjayisgay
This year, Joey Jay became the first drag queen from Phoenix to compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Before Joey Jay’s season wrapped, crowning America’s 13th Drag Superstar, he talked to The Arizona Republic about his “filler queen” label, how he went on the show to “make moments” and how he uses his platform to educate his followers.
“I try to always remember even though drag can be fun I believe that you have a responsibility as a drag queen. You’re a walking political statement,” Joey Jay said. “And I don’t know what families tell their kids — I’m not in their households — but I just feel like especially right now with everything going on in the world — the pandemic, Black Lives Matter, trans lives matter — there’s a lot that needs to be talked about.”
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/joeyjayisgay.
Joey Jay Q&A:A ‘queen who loves to make fun of herself’
Malori and Ashley, @malleyinlove
Ashley and Malori, a couple that met on Bumble two years ago, keep their 13,000 followers updated on their daily lives on their joint Instagram account, @malleyinlove. With their latest engagement announcements, fans can look forward to Ashley and Malori’s upcoming wedding in October 2022.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/malleyinlove.
One-n-ten, @onentenphx
Local nonprofit one.n.ten shares volunteer opportunities as well as educational, developmental and community-building events on its Instagram page.
According to the organization’s website, one.n.ten is a “nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to serving and assisting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth” that “envisions a world where all LGBTQ youth and young adults are embraced for who they are, actively engaged in their communities and empowered to lead.”
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/onentenphx, https://onenten.org.
More:How one.n.ten created a COVID-19 relief fund for LGBTQ youth
Piper M’Shay, @pipermshay
Ariana Grande? No, that’s local Valley drag queen @pipermshay, but it’s easy to confuse the two.
M’Shay, who studied theater at Arizona State University and holds the title of Miss Arizona Gay Rodeo 2019, can often be found at gay bar and nightclub Charlie’s Phoenix. On her Instagram, she often shares her latest drag looks and videos from her latest performances.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/pipermshay.
Rose Montoya, @rosalynnemontoya
Rosalynne (Rose) Montoya is a model, actor, makeup artist and public speaker, according to her Instagram profile, and is transgender and gender nonbinary. Montoya uses the pronouns she and her as well as they and them.
In March, Montoya’s video documenting how her airport security experience made her feel unsafe went viral on TikTok with more than 25 million views.
“I always have an ‘anomaly’ between my legs that sets off the alarm,” she said in the video. “And my boobs set off the scanner, because of course. So I tried to make a joke of it and said there’s a lot of plastic in there; it’s fine.”
Montoya followed up with a 16-minute video documenting a phone conversation with TSA in which she relays her full experience, asks how their machines work and makes suggestions for “how to be more respectful of transgender people who are traveling.”
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/rosalynnemontoya, http://www.rosalynnemontoya.com.
Scotty Kirby, AKA @scottykirbyphoto
Drag, portrait and fashion photographer Scotty Kirby has worked with the who’s who of the drag scene in Phoenix — and beyond.
Kirby graduated from ASU with a degree in biology but turned to a full-time career in photography, soon finding himself able to “express his own individualism and talents” by photographing “the art of drag,” according to Kirby’s website.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/scottykirbyphoto, http://www.scottykirby.com.
Shaun Blokker, @shaunt
Beachbody star Shaun T — whose full name is Shaun Blokker — lives in Mesa with his husband, Scott Blokker, and their two children. The trainer, who counts Lizzo among his fans, says he projects “projects “fun, joy (and) realness” in his workouts.
In April, Shaun T told The Arizona Republic that the couple initially had some reservations about moving to Arizona shortly after getting married in New York City.
“One of our fears of moving here is we’re gay, and New York is so liberal,” he said. “So we had some reservations culturally, if you will, but (we) literally haven’t run into any issues in that way.”
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/shaunt, https://shauntfitness.com.
Exclusive interview:How Shaun T found strength in the toughest of times
Tempest DuJour, @tempestdujour
You might recall drag queen Tempest DuJour — and her early exit — on Season 7 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” DuJour, also known as Patrick Holt, was the costume designer for Arizona Theatre Company’s production of “The Legend of Georgia McBride” during the 2019-2020 season.
It appears the first “Drag Race” contestant to represent Arizona still lives and performs in Tucson but stays in touch with fellow Season 7 queens. You will also find family pictures and a variety of wildlife on her page, including emus, snakes and toucans.
Where to find them: https://www.instagram.com/tempestdujour.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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