January always seems to fly by and 2016 is no exception. The city of Philadelphia rang in this year as we always do with a fabulous celebration on New Years Day. The Parade and Mummers festivities were certainly memorable this year thanks to all the hard work that goes into the event. In the last few years we’ve seen a lot of diversity parading down Broad street on January 1st and this year was a celebration of that diversity that makes our city so incredibly special.
Kicking off the parade was the Miss Fancy Brigade, four year veterans of the event but enjoying their first official year as mummers. Representing bars and restaurants from Philadelphia’s vibrant Gayborhood the ladies of the Miss Fancy Brigade made the start of the 2016 New Year Shine! We sat down with Derek Lightcap, otherwise known as Fanci Dismount. Fanci is known for hosting game nights and various events around the Gayborhood and throughout the city.
Miss Fancy Brigade 2016 Derek Lightcap 4th from left.
PH: The mummers have such a legacy here in Philly, the Philadelphia LGBT community is also such a strong part of our city, how did it feel to have those two worlds collide?
DL: It was fabulous! The LGBT community is a large part of the greater Philadelphia community, however, it has existed in seclusion for quite awhile. Now having the LGBT community included in some of Philadelphia’s longest standing traditions is amazing! In a time when the LGBT community is finally gaining some equality with things like gay marriage passing, it of course creates controversy and it is vital to give a face to our community to educate those that only know of the LGBT community through what they have heard from others.
PH: What was the reaction of the LGBT community about being invited and involved in the parade?
DL: This was the 4th year that the Miss Fancy Brigade has been involved, and it truly comes with a sense of pride that we get to represent our community on such a large stage. Every step we make that moves our community closer to true equality is a victory for us.
PH: We all know how hard everyone works to make New Years Day as amazing as it is here in Philly, how did you all prepare for the event?
DL: Each member is representing a bar that sponsors them and their costume for the event. We are blessed to have some very talented designers in our community that were able to outfit us and make us look fabulous! It is a several month process between each sponsor selecting their representative, designing costumes, and preparing the routine.
PH: Now that it’s over how do you feel that it went? Is there excitement about preparing again for next year?
DL: We were very pleased with things this year. Every year gets better and better and the buzz is already starting about next year! Considering the controversy this year, specifically with things that were pointed at the LGBT community we have a renewed sense of purpose to represent or community and show Philadelphia what we are all about! It is such an amazing honor to be a part of a group that is pioneering a sense of diversity in a event that is such a historical tradition in Philadelphia. I am so excited to watch it grow and develop and see what the future holds!
Join Fanci Dismount for “Fanci Against Humanity” (a bar adaptation of cards against humanity) Monday’s at 8pm at Boxers and “Eager Boy Bingo” every Thursday at ICANDY Nightclub at 9pm.
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