BS West in Scottsdale Will Host Drag Performance to Benefit Orlando Victims Tonight

The Phoenix gay community has not stood still after a shooter killed 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. About 750 people attended a vigil held Sunday night outside the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, according to various news reports. Stacy's at Melrose, a gay bar, hosted its own vigil...

By David Accomazzo

June 14, 2016

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The Phoenix gay community has not stood still after a shooter killed 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

About 750 people attended a vigil held Sunday night outside the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, according to various news reports. Stacy's at Melrose, a gay bar, hosted its own vigil on Sunday as well. BS West, a gay club in Scottsdale, will donate all the proceeds from its regular Tuesday night drag show to Equality Florida's GoFundMe page for shooting victims.

The event, called "Stars Choice," is in its 15th season. For the benefit, the stage will open to all performers. T-shirts, stickers, and more will be available for sale, with all proceeds going to benefit shooting victims.

BS West owner Mike Fornelli said in a Facebook post that it was crucial for the gay community to remain vigilant and visible in the face of an attack that took place in an openly queer space.

"Being with your community counts. It's a time to come together and be with each other," Fornelli said, adding that it is time for an "upbeat celebration of the lives lost and showing that we are not afraid."

The event starts at 8:30 p.m. tonight.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.