On March 10 2023, Ru Paul’s Drag Race Philippines Superstar Precious Paula Nicole shone the spotlight on The Golden Gays in The Golden Journey Part 1: The Return of the Kembak. This fundraising roadshow was held at the Rapture Cafe Bar in Metro Manila. The show was the first of many organized for the benefit of The Golden Gays.
The Golden Gays, formally established as The Home for the Golden Gays, is a non-profit organization established in 2002 to provide a safe space and a permanent shelter to senior members, the Lolas, of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sadly, the Lolas ( Grandmothers) have fallen on hard times, having been displaced from their home in 2012. To start anew, the Lolas have established themselves as The Home for Indigent Gay Men, Inc. in 2021. However, their plight remains as they struggle to find a permanent home for their 27 members.
This is the issue that the Drag Race PH Season 1 winner—who has long been vocal about her dedication to helping and supporting The Golden Gays—aims to address. In her Thanksgiving party held last November 2022, she committed to securing a permanent home and to establishing a sustainable livelihood program for The Golden Gays in what has now been dubbed as The Golden Journey.
I first met the Lolas 12 years ago; my heart has never lost the instinct to help them. This is why I want people to know about their state and hope this will help them live the lives they deserve, says the Drag Queen.
In collaboration with JCI Makati’s MPower Program, Precious Paula Nicole will lead this advocacy to finish the groundbreaking journey. JCI MPower, which stands for JCI Makati Powering Up Diversity and Inclusion, is an inclusive program that promotes diversity and gender equality in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Goals. This program helps educate about eradicating prejudices, discrimination, and violence.
The Golden Journey Part 1: The Return of the Kembak featured performances by Precious Paula Nicole and her fellow Ru Paul’s Drag Race Philippines queens Turing, Eva Le Queen, and Brigiding, The Golden Gays Queens, other supportive local drag queens such as Gorgeous Dawn, Jolly, Ally Nicole, Solenn and Felicia, and Rapture Café Bar resident queens. Raphael David Resus hosted the event.
Photos by Precious Paula Nicole, Jeanne Edillon, and JCI Makati MPower team
