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An Episcopalian school in blue New York City invited a drag queen to its “Pride Chapel” event earlier this year, as minors were encouraged to stand up and clap for the activist.

According to the drag queen’s TikTok, Grace Church School invited the activist, Brita Filter, to “teach the children.”

“I literally went to church to teach the children today… ️‍️‍,” Filter wrote in a TikTok post in April.
“A Catholic High School here in NYC invited me to their Pride Chapel,” he continued, misstating the school’s denomination, as it is Episcopalian.
“Visibility matters and I’m so honored to have had the chance to talk to you about my work as a LGBTQ+ Drag Queen Activist,” he added.

The video features a masked man introducing the drag queen, urging the high school students to stand up and welcome him.

“Her name is Brita Filter, and she is the queen of New York! Yaaaaaaas!” he exclaimed in the video that has recently gone viral...

According to the school’s website, the Grace Church School focuses on integrating “ethical consciousness and academic excellence by addressing the moral, personal, and spiritual development of students,” describing itself as an “intentionally inclusive community.”

“The Episcopal school tradition recognizes the unique, intrinsic worth of every human being, bestowed upon each by a loving God,” it continues.

The school said it intentionally attempts to instill students with a “deep respect” for not just race or religion but sexual orientation and gender identity, touting its “anti-bias” and “antiracism” programs.

Students are required to attend chapel at the school, which is described as “non-denominational Christian observance, loosely drawn from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, that neither includes nor excludes a student on the basis of religion.” Chapel talks include topics including but not limited to “social justice themes.” Because of these beliefs, it was not shock for the school to expose high schoolers to a “Pride Chapel,” which took place in late April.

The audience was treated to a surprise guest—world-renowned drag queen, Brita Filter. After a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Brita sat with Director of Vocal Music, Andrew Leonard, to answer questions about drag, representation and what pride month symbolizes. Student members of Spectrum shared their own stories and experiences of identity and belonging at Grace, before the Grace Notes closed out the chapel with a performance of Rina Sayayama’s “Chosen Family.”...

More about "Pride Chapel"
https://www.gcschool.org/news-detail?pk ... mId=248546

...Later in the spring, CHANGE (the middle school’s GSA), held their 4th annual Pride Chapel on June 3, featuring the voices of the Middle School Chorus and special guest speaker, Joanna McClintick, reading from her new book, “Twas the Night Before Pride”, which shares the history and global significance of Pride.

Finally, this year marked the first-ever Lower School Pride Chapel on June 7. GCS Chaplain Reverend Mark Hummel began the service by sharing a few words on the importance of Pride. Early Childhood Dance and Drama Teacher Laurel Lesio led students through the history of the rainbow flag and what it symbolizes, and Dean of Equity and Inclusion Jean-Robert Andre read “Twas the Night Before Pride” to an audience of students and their families.

Pride Chapels, along with the other history and identity-based chapels and assemblies held throughout the year, help empower Grace students to foster a safe and welcoming place for all, in which the diversity of our school is celebrated and lifted up.

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Pride says: “I’m tired of being a creature. I don’t want to be obedient. I want what I want. I want to be the center of things. I want it all to revolve around me. I want my own way.” “I…” “I…” “I…” “I want to be…my own god.” -Devil character 1967 movie “Bedazzled”