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Drag Queen Who Volunteers On South Side Loses Everything In Fire

By Kelly Bauer | June 23, 2017 1:40pm | Updated on June 26, 2017 8:26am
 Lyen, a volunteer and employee at community group I Grow Chicago, lost everything he owns in a Thursday morning fire. Among the items lost was drag Lyen and two other performers planned to wear at Sunday's Pride Parade.
Lyen, a volunteer and employee at community group I Grow Chicago, lost everything he owns in a Thursday morning fire. Among the items lost was drag Lyen and two other performers planned to wear at Sunday's Pride Parade.
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Facebook/I Grow Chicago

CHICAGO — A community group is trying to help a man get back on his feet after a fire destroyed his home — and the drag he planned to wear to this weekend's Pride Parade.

Erin Vogel, the co-executive director at I Grow Chicago, said a Thursday morning fire in West Englewood ravaged the remodeled garage where the nonprofit group's employee, Lyen Bryant, has been living. Everything Bryant owns was lost in the fire, including his personal photos, his cellphone and the outfits he and two other performers planned to wear on a Pride Parade float Sunday. Bryant is a drag performer who goes by Lady L Forever.

"Everything was completely destroyed," Vogel said. "He literally lost everything. He has to get back on his feet and get a place to live."

Bryant has volunteered for years with children at I Grow Chicago, a group that works out of West Englewood, empowering and educating residents. Bryant, known as "Queen" in the area, also works at the group's food pantry.

I Grow Chicago put out a call to its supporters, asking them to help Bryant with donations of drag items, clothing, basic needs items and money.

The group had received about $200 by Friday morning, Vogel said, and several people have dropped off wigs, dresses and leather coats. Chicago Costume Company has offered to help Bryant out as well.

Bryant was "almost giving up" after the fire, he said, but going to I Grow Chicago "gave [him] hope."

"I want to thank [donors] so much from the bottom of my heart," Bryant said. "I love to [perform], and they made it possible that I can do it for Sunday."

The $200 should be enough to help Bryant and the other performers who lost their drag get ready for Sunday's parade, Vogel said. The three had picked out coordinating outfits, practiced their choreography and planned their makeup for a joint performance.

Sunday will be Bryant's fourth time on a float at Pride. Attendees will be able to spot Lady L Forever on the Girls Afloat float, and afterward Lady L will perform at Jeffery Pub, 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd.

"He still has his place on the float. They still know their choreography," Vogel said. "It's still [going to] happen. We're just not sure exactly how we're [going to] make it happen."

Bryant still needs housing and items like clothes, makeup, costume jewelry and toiletries to live and continue performing. The group is not asking for help with furniture until they have found a home for Bryant, Vogel said.

Supporters can donate online through PayPal, Vogel said, but they should add a note saying "Bryant" to the donation so I Grow Chicago can ensure all the money gets to Bryant. Questions can be emailed to contact@igrowchicago.org.

Bryant was not immediately available for comment.