Whispurr Watershadow performs as Marrie Antionette for Pride Asia 2025. As part of the show, she fed cake to some audience members. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.
Drag. Dance. Song. Kung Fu. Community.
What else could it be, but the 13th return of Pride Asia on May 25, 2025?
The event took place in Hing Hay Park; one part dedicated to informational and resource booths from various LGBTQIA+ and AANHPI organizations and the other entertained the crowd with drag performances, dance, and speeches. The crowd grew as the sun slowly came out.
Aleksa Manila opens Pride Asia 2025 with a speech on memory, humanity, and resilience. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.
The theme this year was “Still, we rice!” A clever play on words meant to remind the intersecting community of their resilience and culture, especially in today’s political climate. Aleksa Manila, founder of Pride Asia in 2012 by drag performer and social activist, led the crowd in a chant that included “Free Palestine!” and “Still, we rice!”
“Still, we rice— R-I-C-E — is a play on words,” Manila said on Sunday. “But make no mistake. It is of inspiration and intention.”
Pride Asia is a celebration of humanity that will continue to thrive.
“The humanity of the most marginalized, most oppressed of communities,” Manila said. “LGBTQ+ peoples, Asian Pacific Islanders, immigrants, women, and children.”
Whispurr Watershadow performs her second show to the song “Blow” by Kesha. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.Dutchess Drew performance on May 25, 2025. Dutchess Drew is Seattle’s first Bollywood inspired drag queen. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.Lion dances of all ages from the Northwest Kung Fu Association kick off the performances of the day’s festivities. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.Lion dances of all ages from the Northwest Kung Fu Association kick off the performances of the day’s festivities. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.The community organization booths offer free resources and Pride merchandise. Pictured: King County Public Health, JME Paints, and ARCS. Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.V. VA performs the song “True Colors” by Cindy Lauper as sung in the popular show “Glee.” Photo by Dany Villarreal Martinez.
