Unity in Philly Against the Bulldozers

Laura Rowello meets with Asian drag performer Mandy Mango to update the readers of Philadelphia Gay News to the problems associated with a proposed gentrification building development that will cut into both the Philadelphia China town and its LGBTQIA+ neighbourhoods.  "Mandy Mango just started to utilize Chinatown venues as a performer and has enjoyed events organized by Philly Asian & Queer (PAQ), a collective that aims to build community and raise the voices of people living at the intersection of queer and Asian or Asian-American identities. Drag has offered Mandy Mango a way to explore her culture — highlighting that intersection.  PAQ is one of four groups collaborating to host the No Arena Drag Show, an event that aims to raise awareness and invigorate participation in the movement to oppose 76 Place — a nearly 20,000 seat sports and events venue that the Philadelphia 76ers want to build in Chinatown.  Activists said this is just one of many examples of predatory developers destroying Philadelphia communities — gentrifying neighborhoods and decentralizing resources — because they view the land as profitable and easy to take from those currently using it."  For the full interview with Mango, visit the Philadelphia Gay News website.   https://epgn.com/2024/08/14/no-arena-drag-show/