A silk aerialist spun upside down to Chappell Roan. Old school roller skate dancers moved in sync to Prince. A drag performer did splits. Queer people arm wrestled for fun. Clowns competed for the title of “Philadelphia Fool.” This was Kensington’s first Queer Circus, a final hoorah for Pride month.
Queer families, couples of all ages, and friends in clown make-up enjoyed a day of festivities along Martha St. For many, it was encouragement to tap into their inner whimsy.
“There's room for everybody in the circus,” said Erin Flanigan, who organized the day as a member of the East Kensington Arts Committee, part of East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA). It was also a collaboration with Paul Yavarone Jr., of Kensington’s Weirdo Fest, established in 2021.
Amidst “trying times” in the country, Flanigan said she wanted to create a space that would allow people to express themselves, to be joyfully colorful.
Along with performances throughout the day, including a roller circus, a clown competition, and drag story time, local vendors were set up near the Philadelphia Brewing Company courtyard. People danced, ate, and drank to electronic music provided by live DJs at a booth hosted by local record store Great Circles.
Cass Dudek traveled from Bucks County to meet their partner Max Thomas, of West Philadelphia. Both were dressed as clowns and had full faces of make-up — including blue spiral cheeks and black diamond eyes. Dudek sported high rainbow heels. Being a clown is queer, they agreed.
“There are no rules when you’re a clown,” Thomas said.
Just wearing a red clown nose unleashed something for Kensington resident Ron Lodise. “I feel like I’m in my silliest state,” Lodise said.
Maylani Boyce drove up from Maryland for the circus.
Boyce gave her friend a ride for a second date in Philadelphia. The queer circus was an added bonus for Boyce, who painted her face with bright pink, yellow, and orange clown make-up. She said she was looking forward to watching arm wrestling.
“Maybe I can find a wife,” Boyce said.
Queer arm wrestling was a highlight of the evening. Participants went head to head with red faces, heavy breaths, quaking arms and tight grips.
It might be the only acceptable place where strangers can aggressively hold hands, noted organizer Jett Biggert. Biggert lives in Kensington and has been organizing queer arm wrestling events since June 2024.
“It’s an invitation to play,” Biggert said. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the day’s tournament.
Biggert pulled hopefuls’ names out of a hat to decide who would compete. Half the bracket was for self-identified “Popeyes,” the other for “Noodle Arms.” People of all strength levels are welcome.
Before each match, Biggert asked each competitor: “What makes you strong?” Answers included intergenerational trauma, proving their mother wrong, and the food service industry.
It was Sapphire Reid’s first time arm-wrestling in front of a crowd. The impetus — just to show their strength. “It’s my toxic masculinity," they said.
Couple Sydney Telaak and Elin Strassner from Philadelphia both wanted to express their “dyke muscles” for each other. They said they enjoy the juxtaposition of being both feminine and strong.
“It subverts the expectation. It's cool to be able to defend myself and my queerness, and I know she thinks it’s hot,” Strassner said.
The competition raised money for Queer Care Philly, which supports people after gender-affirming surgery.
Miles Cutler, of East Kensington, set up a table to sell what he calls “Boingers” — sculptures made out of recycled and repurposed objects he finds in the trash.
Ryann McHale, of Norris Square, was gearing up for their DJ set, and was happy to see the “sexy circus babes,” out and about.
“It’s nice to see people trying to make space for us, not just the first weekend of the month,” McHale said.
