Australian Christmas parade ditches Santa for drag queens
One of Melbourne’s most popular shopping districts has caused a stir after ditching Santa for drag queens in an effort to celebrate diversity.
Chapel Street in Melbourne will transform into a Christmas parade as performers lip sync along to the likes of Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey on weekend afternoons from now to Christmas.
Chrissie Maus, the director of the association that represents the shops, reveals she wanted to “throw out the rule book.”
“Chapel Street does not do boring. It’s bold and full of colour,” she told the New Age.
“No one is more experienced at getting a party started than a drag queen, that’s why we’ve recruited three of Melbourne’s finest.”
Popular Australian act Art Simone will be participating in the show and, reacting to the controversy surrounding the decision, told the Daily Mail that “Change may not be comfortable… But it’s necessary.”
“I adore Chapel Street and I’m glad I can help spread some Christmas Cheer the new Chapel Street style!”