Chappell Roan, the mega-superstar beloved by Gen Z and beyond, recently held part of her tour in Kansas City, Missouri. This visit to her home state has sparked a conversation on Kansas City’s vibrant, rising queer community. Some are even celebrating the homecoming by creating public art in a BIG way.
Two local queer artists, Jared Horman and Christine Riutzel, saluted Chappell Roan’s arrival with a massive mural. The three-story-tall creation features Roan’s signature waves of orangey-red curls enveloping her white makeup-painted face which she’s become known for. The two muralists cite her newest song and video ‘The Subway’ as a major inspiration for their work. The project is meant to shine a light on the burgeoning queer community of Missouri: an identity Chappell Roan embodies perfectly.
The mural can be found on the side of the popular drag bar, Hamburger Mary’s, where Chappell Roan saw her first-ever drag show. Horman and Riutzel are hoping Roan can visit the installation and help highlight the progressive heart of Kansas City.
Kansas City is no stranger to the spotlight.
Taylor Swift is famously engaged to Travis Kelce, the Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs. Her frequent visits to root on Kelce at the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium have taken over a few million TikToks. Could we be gearing up for a Super Bowl Halftime Show (Taylor’s Version) next February, perhaps in Kansas City?
Many rising LGBTQ+ identifying celebs proudly call Kansas City home. Comedian Caleb Hearon is a Kansas City native and discusses life there in his new special, “Model Comedian.” “Overcompensating” scene-stealer Holmes, who was also hilarious in “Hacks,” is also from KC. Seeing them tear up every show they book is just another way the city’s queer pride is taking up space on an even larger scale. Hearon and Holmes previously sold a TV pilot about two queer friends living in Kansas City, a show we’d happily watch and report on.
The blooming presence and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Kansas City is made possible by older queer Missourians and their historic ties to the area. Kansas City’s hidden history as a hub for queer activism, even before the Stonewall Riots, is also found in the fabric of the city known as “The Heart of America.”
Did you know Kansas City once held a small, yet mighty self-sustaining neighborhood for the growing lesbian community? Called Womontown, it held more than 75 LGBTQ+ folks in the 1980s and 90s. Folks can walk through Womontown and visit more unsung queer landmarks with a guided walk from KC Rainbow Tour.
The celebration of gay pride extends to one of the city’s most frequented institutions. The Museum of Kansas City is currently hosting the “Arrive As You Are” exhibition, which showcases the legendary career of Bruce Winter, who has performed for 50 years in Kansas City as the iconic Melinda Ryder.
This moment of queer joy is a sweet showing for the state’s LGBTQ+ community and allies. As more queer-owned businesses find their footing in Kansas City, like new record shop Good Vibes Vinyl, the community is able to come together and celebrate. Many businesses are even getting in on the Chappell of it all, hosting events leading up to (and after) the highly anticipated concert.
While Kansas has a few progressive pockets throughout the state, like Kansas City, there are active legislators who limit the rights of LGBTQ+ Missourians. The Kansas Reflector reported on a recent effort to disallow same-sex foster parents the opportunity to house foster kids, citing religious reasons. Last January, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit to reverse the protective bans on conversion therapy in Kansas City and Jackson County.
Chappell Roan performed on October 3rd and 4th at the Museum Memorial Park with Japanese Breakfast and Baby Tate, respectively.
Local allies and members of Missouri’s queer community view Roan’s return as a chance to celebrate louder and prouder. This included a three-night-long ‘Chappell Roan Themed Takeover” at gay nightclub Q Kansas City. In honor of the “Pink Pony Club” singer, Q Kansas City is even had a costumed ‘Look Alike Contest’ for any Chappell Roan doppelgangers looking to feel like a true “Feminomenon.”
As another pop country legend, Hannah Montana, once sang, “you’ll always find your way back home.” You can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can’t take the Midwest out of the girl! Chappell has been a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ voices in conservative states like Missouri, even going the extra mile to bring to stage the talents of local drag queens at her sold-out shows. This visibility really matters in a state with a small out gay population, somewhere that coming out isn’t as simple as it sometimes is here.
Most importantly, Chappell Roan’s ability to bring out all the pride in places that may not often feel like safe spaces for the queer community is just another commendable reason why I know Ms. Roan will forever be the people’s Midwestern princess.
