The diocese of St. Gallen, in Switzerland, has defended the drag show organized for this Friday, September 18, by the city’s Catholic pastoral ministry and has confirmed that Bishop Beat Grögli was informed of the initiative. The evening has also been conceived as the beginning of a new format called Deep Drag, which could continue with other events.
The explanations come after it became known that the Catholic pastoral ministry of St. Gallen was organizing the show. The head of Culture and Formation of the city’s pastoral ministry, Ann-Katrin Gässlein, has now responded to questions from the Catholic Herald about the purpose of the event, its possible continuation, and the bishop’s knowledge of it.
The bishop was informed
Gässlein confirmed that Grögli was aware of the initiative before it took place. According to her, the bishop «has been informed about the event» in the spirit of «transparent communication» that, she stated, is practiced in the diocese.
The official did not confirm, however, that the show had received the bishop’s direct approval. When specifically asked about this point, she limited herself to stating that Grögli had been informed.
The event had been in preparation for «several months.» Gässlein explained that the purpose was to combine drag with «existential, religious, and spiritual» questions related to identity and the meaning of life.
According to the pastoral official, drag functions in this case as a «means and catalyst for conversation» and not as a matter of faith. She also maintained that the Church must engage with forms of artistic expression capable of raising questions, challenging conventions, and opening new perspectives.
«Deep Drag» could continue
The diocese has also confirmed that Friday’s evening was not necessarily conceived as an isolated initiative. Gässlein noted that the event deliberately constitutes the beginning of the Deep Drag format and that other events are, in principle, «conceivable or planned.»
For the moment, no schedule has been announced. The celebration and characteristics of future events will depend, she explained, on the experience gained during this first evening. Gässlein also clarified that the intention is not to establish a series of shows.
The proposal combines drag performances with a conversation about social, cultural, and spiritual issues. The first edition, under the motto «Memory and Hope,» features Lupa Nova and Amelie Putain and will be held at the Grabenhalle in St. Gallen.
Donations for a «queer» apartment
Admission to the show is free, and organizers encourage donations to HAVEN99, a project that offers temporary accommodation in a shared apartment defined as «queer» for young adults who «identify as transgender, non-binary, or questioning their gender identity.»