Nina West Cheers Columbus Pride and No Kings Day
Drag icon celebrates festivities with joyous shout-out, rainbow vibes and community unity!
Image: Instagram
Happy Columbus Pride And No Kings Day!
In a vibrant Instagram post on June 24, drag luminary Nina West shared a colorful salute to her hometown festivities: “Happy Columbus PRIDE and NO KINGS Day! #pride #nokings.” The snap captures West beaming in a sequin-studded ensemble, complete with rainbow accents and the queen’s signature charisma.
From Local Legend To Drag Icon
Born Andrew Swann in 1977, Nina West has spent over two decades honing her craft on Columbus stages before dazzling national audiences. After winning Miss Congeniality on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 in 2019, she parlayed reality-TV fame into advocacy and performance. West’s love for Columbus runs deep: she founded The Nina West Foundation in 2015 to support LGBTQ+ families and youth, making her salute to Pride Week especially meaningful.
Pride Appearances Across The Map
West’s Columbus post is just the latest in a string of Pride celebrations. Earlier this month, she marked Milwaukee Pride with a simple caption—“Milwaukee Pride!”—and a gallery of snaps showcasing her parade float performance. With fans cheering and flags waving, she reminded followers that drag bridges communities from coast to coast.
No Kings Day: A Drag Tradition
No Kings Day, observed June 23, began in Columbus as an alternative celebration to Pride’s corporate partnerships. By replacing “sash” with “crown,” organizers champion grassroots drag and queer art. West has long supported the day, which spotlights emerging performers and DIY events. In her post, the hashtag #nokings underscores her alignment with community-driven Pride, honoring both professional heads and underground stars.
Advocacy Beyond The Spotlight
Offstage, West remains a vocal advocate for equality. Through her foundation, she has granted over $150,000 in scholarships and donations to LGBTQ+ causes in Ohio and beyond. At Drag Queen Story Hour events, she reads to children in libraries, normalizing queer identities early. Her Pride post doubles as a reminder that visibility sparks change—and that celebrations like No Kings Day feed grassroots momentum.
What’s Next For Nina West?
After Columbus, West heads to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where her hit show “Sugar in the Tank: A Big Gay Musical Adventure” runs through September at Pilgrim House. Accompanied by pianist Yaron Spiwak, she blends original songs with drag spectacle. Tickets are selling fast, reflecting her ability to turn Pride energy into year-round engagement.
Whether she’s on a float, in a library, or on the Pilgrim House stage, Nina West continues to shine her light on queer causes. From a birthday shout-out to Harvey Fierstein to her summer tour stops in Rehoboth and New York City, her calendar remains packed—and Pride season is only just beginning.
As fans raise their rainbow flags this weekend, Nina West’s message is simple: Celebrate loudly, support local artists, and remember that every crown—big or small—strengthens community bonds.
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