ON SATURDAY, August 12, The Castle Tap hosted a Rainbow Barn Dance to raise funds for a member of the community with line-dancing and drag performances.
With Big Jay taking up hosting duties, the event saw live performances from Duac, Dorian Gay, and Brittana Faberry, as well as DJ sets from Anitah DJ.
Attendees donned cowboy hats and chaps and took part in line dancing and raffles, raising funds to help Kit Pascal undergo top surgery.
Kit said at the event: “It’s so surreal, but it feels so great to see so many people from our community come together to help out, and it will really go a long way.
“I feel like there’s been a barrage of anti-trans rhetoric, especially recently; personally, I’ve been on such a long journey with it, and nearly came out when I was 19, but scared myself back into the closet.
“It’s objectively so hard, and you can’t do it until you’re ready; I’ve known this about myself for the best part of a decade, but only been able to socially transition in the past year.”
He explained that getting access to trans healthcare is extremely difficult, especially if you can’t afford private healthcare.
“I’ve had the privilege to be able to have the option of doing that for hormones, but that’s just one thing; it’s exponentially more money for surgery.
“It was a difficult decision to start crowdfunding it, but for so many of us there’s no other option than to reach out to your community.”
However, he said he was grateful that “there is so much solidarity here coming from other trans and LGBTQ+ people, and drag performers who put the event on.”
Organiser Big Jay said: “It’s an honour to be able to put on a fun, accessible event, and for that hard work to go somewhere positive.
“My business is making queer safe spaces, and people have been joining in with the dancing and performances.
“Just seeing all of the people here has been phenomenal, and I love the Castle Tap so much.
“It’s a real community space, and they’re easy to work with and so open, so we’re grateful to them.”
