Activists are throwing a massive LGBTQ dance party right outside Mike Pence's house
Chevy Chase, the quiet D.C. neighborhood soon to be home to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, is about to get really, really loud.
Activists behind WerkForPeace and #DisruptJ20 have joined together to plan a huge queer dance party outside of Pence's new home this Wednesday, Jan. 18th. Queer dancers and their allies will follow a dancing route through Pence's new neighborhood, hoping to get as close as possible to his home.
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"We have planned a route to dance through Pence's neighborhood and celebrate queerness, leaving behind traces of rainbow and glitter that he is bound to see and never forget," Firas Nasr, a representative from WerkForPeace, told Mashable in an email. "Our most important point is to celebrate our love for one another and our diversity through dance and self-expression. He will know we are there!"
Image: Jean van devanter White/werkforpeace
LGBTQ activists are deeply concerned about the vice president-elect's record on issues pertaining to the gay community. In the past, Pence expressed support for conversion therapy, a dangerous practice presently opposed by the American Medical Association.
Trump himself has promised to sign the First Amendment Defense Act, which would allow businesses, landlords and even hospitals to turn away LGBTQ people if their needs violate the owners' religious beliefs.
WerkForPeace wants to make its opposition known (and, in a welcome development, actually have fun at the same time). The group, organized after the Pulse nightclub massacre, has planned similar dances in the past. And members are expecting a large turnout for the Pence protest:
"Over 2,000 people have expressed interest, and nearly 500 people have [RSVPd] to come out and werrrkkk! Yas queen!" Nasr told Mashable.
Pence's new neighborhood hasn't exactly welcomed him with open arms. Previously, Pence's neighbors plastered the area with gay flags and signs that read "This Neighborhood Trusts Women." Pence has also expressed support for defunding Planned Parenthood and overturning Roe V. Wade.
"We choose to bring the dance floor to the streets and assert that #WeAreHere and #WeWillDance. No longer will we remain silent about bigotry in our country, especially when it is occupying one of the highest positions in government. Instead, we choose to stand together and #werkforpeace," Nasr told Mashable.
Image: jean van dewanter white /werkforpeace
More details about the event can be found here.
