The City of Thunder Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior is in a state of transition. From the early days of the blue collar trade through the port comes something with a bit more colour, “God Save the Queen” or it could have read “God Save the Queers”.

Like many cities of its size in Canada, the city offers few collection points for the GLBT community. In fact there is little to speak of as the regular socials have become extinct and there is no exclusive gay bar.

Advertised on-line, the “God Save the Queen” event boasted a night of drag shows with drag queens and drag kings. Something to crack the cool air of winter with excitement and some hot performances.  The event held at Pier 61, a second floor saloon, often referred to as the “Queer Pier” was packed with a predominance of women and a smaller number of men.

Jimmy Wiggins, event promoter, says he “wanted to throw a party and for people to have a good time”. He accomplish that, with outstanding performances given by Vega, Lady Fantasia, Boris, Dirt Bag Dean amongst others.

The inception of the event happened over coffee with a couple of local performers who helped organize the event. I asked Wiggins if he thought Thunder Bay was a friendly place for the GLBT community and he seemed to think so but said it “depends on what part of the city you are in”.

As I looked around I noted that the crowd was in the twenty something range and I asked Wiggins why there was only a younger crowd, he said “older people may feel intimidated by younger gay people” or because youth today connect and hear about activities on Facebook, MySpace or his website www.tbshows.com .

It’s wonderful to see that people in this community are trying to make a difference by organizing an event that entertains while bringing  people together on a white wintery night.

Lets hope that people like Wiggins can continue to bring more colour to the community as diversity equals strength, God Save the Queen!