The host of Bracknell Pride has said concerns over their full stage name are ‘taking away from all the event means’.
Bracknell Forest’s third Pride event at the Lexicon Shopping Centre on June 7 is being hosted by family-friendly drag artist Fonda.
But a mistake in advertisement from Bracknell Forest Council – referring to the artist’s usual full name of Fonda Cox – drew criticism from residents who claimed this was against the ‘family-friendly’ nature of the event.
Fonda, who moved to Bracknell last year, agreed to host this year’s celebration of the LGBTQ+ community after performing at South Hill Park and other daytime Bracknell events.
The drag artist said: “Every aspect of drag is all about humour that is in the ear of the beholder, so if you want to take an innocent name and make it into something more, then that’s on you.
“However, I do get that when you are referring to an event that’s going to happen outside a supermarket on a Saturday afternoon, it’s valid.”
Fonda said she considered criticism of her stage name as ‘a reason to vilify the event, and that’s taking away from all that it means’.
Cllr Helen Purnell, cabinet member for the environment, community and housing, said: “Events like Bracknell Forest Pride bring people together and raise awareness. It shows that our borough supports equality and makes our community stronger and more inclusive for everyone.
“Fonda, our host this year, has previously performed at family events locally and will bring the high energy and professionalism needed for an event like this.”
Cllr Purnell explained while it is ‘not unusual’ for drag artists to have names that are a double entendre, this ‘can cause offence’.
One social media post that referred to Fonda Cox was shared on social media sites that require people to be 13-year’s-old to sign up, Cllr Purnell added.
Fonda, who has performed for 22 years, said Pride has grown massively in the past five years, with more than 200 festivals now held across the country.
She explained: “No matter where you go in the country, people will always have fear of the unknown. There’s a good reason to have Pride because it normalises things and stops people panicking…it saves potential suicides, depression. It’s even more important in the current climate.”
Bracknell Pride is being held outside Marks and Spencer’s in the Lexicon Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 7.
