Axel Brozie celebrates Pride!
IDT is proud to introduce our current board members as we celebrate Pride 2025:
Axel Brozie (they/them) is serving as the IDT Board Vice President
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride, to me, is a celebration of queer joy built on the courage, hardships, sacrifices, and fierce love of our LGBTQ+ elders who paved the way, notably through the dedication trans women of color and other marginalized groups.
Pride is being able to exist along intersections that fall under one big, beautiful rainbow birthed from tears of grief, and tears of joy. Pride is ensuring that the milestones that our elders achieved don’t get washed away by any changing tides.
Pride is also, frankly, a blast of an event here in Indy. But it’s important to remember the history behind the sparkling spectacle. Without all the ground work our elders did, we would not have these events.
Without these events, our local community’s conscious may be shocked by much less than a loud, beautiful display of queer joy. So, thank you to all the “gaudy”, unapologetic performers and parade goers who paved the way for a world where queer couple holding hands on the sidewalk nothing to warrant a second glance about - well, for most people…
Queer joy is an inherently powerful message. We shouldn’t let that shine be dimmed simply because some people, whether well-intentioned or not, want us to solemnly accept the rights we have secured, however shaky they may be, and assimilate to societal standards.
To all those who were brave enough to partake in those first protests, navigate the political sphere, and engage in those early parades - I say thank you. You have allowed me to both feel and express my Pride.
How does Indy Drag Theatre connect you to community?
It’s allowed me the opportunity to meet, create, and grow with some of the brightest minds you’ll meet - and brightest smiles (or smirks- cmon villain tracks!) you’ll see. When I first moved to Indy, IDT was a space where I knew I could feel safe and seen with the benefit of routine rehearsals and/or meetings with unique, energetic artists aligned on a shared mission and working towards a collaborative goal - which is what community is all about.
What is an IDT moment that filled you with Pride?
It was undoubtedly the last regular rehearsal for Shrek: A Drag Parody Musical last November, specifically the energy in the room when we hit the last pose of the heart-string-wrenching Act One closer.
A perfect happy ending, that’s how it should be.
I was playing Ogre Fiona— smiling, looking determined and hopeful, then collapsed into tears the second the track cut. The lyrics hit me- hard— and they seemed to sink in the throughout whole room.
The way everyone instantly, intuitively came together and hugged and laughed and cried was so beautiful. It was a surreal moment and I’m very lucky a friend caught it on film, because they saw the power of that moment before it fully set in.
Creating art that sparks hope and joy, surrounded by a community of likeminded individuals, even when things seem dark? That’s Pride.
What do you want everyone to keep in mind this Pride season?
You matter. Please never let anyone dim your light or define your spirit. We see you and we love you.
