By: Madeleine Wieczorek
My name is Madeleine Wieczorek.. I have Autism and an intellectual disability.
I love to dance and I love everything about Drag, so when UNITI (Semiahmoo House Society) asked me if I wanted to perform as a Drag Queen at a fundraiser I said, “SURE!” My Drag name was Miss Sassy Pants. I dressed up as Lady Gaga and lip synced to her song “Born This Way” which has special meaning for me. It was amazing and so much fun!
It was a dream come true to be backstage with real Drag Queens just like the Werk Room on the TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Carlotta (a local Drag Queen) did my makeup and lent me one of her wigs. I learned so much from her and watched as she got ready for her performance.
Each performer was asked to choose a charity and ask people to pledge money. I chose the White Rock Pride Society because I have friends and family members including myself in the LGBTQIA+ community. I identify as A which means “Asexual” which means someone who doesn’t feel sexual attraction to either men or women.
I am proud to say I raised $1000 for the the White Rock Pride Society which is an organization in my community that promotes inclusiveness, equality and celebrates diversity. This is important to me because all people should be treated with respect and be accepted. It should not matter if you have a disability or if your sexual orientation or identity is different from others; you should be proud of being “born this way”.
I think it is important to be involved in community events. Because I love to dance, I enjoyed having the opportunity to perform and show the audience that people with disabilities have diverse abilities and talent.
The White Rock Pride Society asked me to give a short speech at their Family Day and also at their big Love is Love Gala, so I felt accepted and included as a member of the community. Would I do it again…Oh YES, I would!
