Taylor Madison Monroe dipped her eyeshadow brush into a half-full cup of vodka Coke before lining her lids with black pigment. She normally uses water to darken her winged eyeliner, but this was closest at hand—and she figured the liquor made it sterile. She’s backstage at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her makeup brushes and powder are on the folding table in front of her, a Hollywood mirror lights up her face, and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj is thumping from the stage behind her. She’s getting ready to perform at Glitterville, a celebration during Northwest Arkansas’s 21st annual Pride Weekend.
“It literally sells out in 24 hours,” Monroe said as she powdered her face. “It’s like a Dolly Parton ticket!”
The party included performances by Ivy Dripp, Shanel Sterling, Jorgeous, and Audacity Twinx, followed by a set by DJ Drew G. Guests came dressed in everything from hot pink wigs, go-go boots, and sequin leotards to Bass Pro hats, cowgirl boots, and Canadian tuxes. They were greeted with rainbow lights, a giant disco ball, and gay anthems that even security nodded their heads to.
Earlier that day, more than 40,000 people had attended Fayetteville’s Pride Parade—the largest turnout since the event’s inception in 2004, according to NWA Equality’s executive director, Joseph Porter.
