The 270 Chronicles tells stories within Bowling Green’s 270 area code, 270 words at a time, featuring niche events, organizations and people that make up our local community.
On Oct. 26, vendors, organizations, performers and community members came together at Circus Square Park for Bowling Green Pride.
Among the attendees was Jyn Yates from Columbia, Kentucky who said they came out in 1995 at 17.
When Yates came out, they said they recognized that some places were hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, Yates said they have become outspoken for the community.
“I didn’t learn to use my voice until my thirties, maybe late twenties,” Yates said. “Now, I’m older and see a lot of young people and I’m like, ‘I need to speak out.’”
Yates is a drummer who has played at pride events across the country. They said they enjoy getting to do something they love, surrounded by the community they love. They said that they have found a family in the LGBTQ+ community.
Drag queen Zoe Zahara from Beaver Dam attended as a performer this year. Zahara said she came out and began doing drag eight years ago, after surviving religiously sanctioned conversion therapy.
“I think when people come out, at least in my experience, they experience this period of ‘I’ve picked me but I lost everyone else,’” Zahara said. “So, it was great to be active.”
Zahara said she is a big advocate for the community. As a survivor of conversion therapy, she was very passionate about abolishing it in Kentucky.
When Zahara came out, she said she lost a lot of people in her life. By getting involved in her local LGBTQ+ community, she was led into the drag population.
“I always tell everyone that drag saved my life,” Zahara said.