Quinn Kathner has quite the busy schedule. Not only is she involved in marketing full time, she is also the president of Sioux Falls Pride and is the creator and owner of Queen on the Scene – best known for “inappropriately awesome” pins.
605 chatted withe the “proud volun(queer)” about this year’s Pride events (happening June 10-16), what inspires her latest designs, and her drag king name.
YOU MIGHT KNOW ME FROM… my drag king persona, Maddix Wild.
MY LOVE FOR DESIGN STARTED… in high school when the birth of the red/blue color combo was born in HTML. I felt the need to beautify.
I STARTED MAKING PINS WHEN… the crushing desire to make LGBT-focused designs (by LGBT) wouldn’t go away. It was my goal to represent unfiltered honesty through my designs. The best feeling is when I see someone wearing one of my designs in public and having a mini meltdown in the best way.
MY INSPIRATIONS FOR PINS… just come to me! So far, they’ve been from my fellow drag kings, my love of the word f—, and my LGBT community.
A PORTION OF PIN PROCEEDS GOES TOWARD THE MAX AND HUGH FUND, WHICH IS… a cause I couldn’t stand still for. The day after Thanksgiving in 2018, two of our drag king brothers were in a horrific accident. Today, while they’re on the road to recovery, Queen On The Scene donates 50 percent of proceeds directly to our brothers’ recovery.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PINS IS THE… Gender F—er set. It’s inspired by Damien D’Luxe, a Minneapolis drag king who inspires me every day to live my life out proud and to be myself.
“it fills my soul knowing that our lgbtqa+ community memebers have a home.”
I FIRST WAS INVOLVED IN SIOUX FALLS PRIDE… the day after the 2016 presidential election and refused to sit on the sidelines. I was done. Focused. Ready. Impactful change in our community occurs at a local level. Be the change. You get one spin on this Earth—make it count.
THE FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT OF SIOUX FALLS PRIDE HAS BEEN… amazing! The vibe of the committee and board members has been very positive, allowing us to work together to add new events, form new business partnerships, and continue building a community of inclusion.
WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR’S PRIDE IS… that I’ll get to celebrate with everyone! I’m beyond ecstatic for the first-ever Pride Parade in downtown Sioux Falls that is happening before all of the Sioux Falls Pride festivities begin at Terrace Park.
SINCE I FIRST STARTED WITH PRIDE… Sioux Falls businesses continue to make the LGBTQA+ community proud by showing their support. Businesses who support Sioux Falls Pride help fund youth scholarships and community events, which foster inclusion and so much more.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING ON THE EVENTS… I’m listening. I pay attention to the tone surrounding the community and/or any discrimination issues coming to the surface.
DURING MY DOWNTIME, YOU CAN FIND ME… trying to have a meaningful conversation with my teenage son, Vaughn,
about video games. It never goes well for me.
FOR FUN, I LOVE TO… write poetry, hit up a trivia night, and spend time with friends and family.
ONE OF MY GO-TO SPOTS TO EAT/ DRINK IS… Starbucks. We’re on a first name basis.
HERE ARE JUST SOME SF PRIDE WEEK EVENTS
JUNE 10
DRAG TRIVIA
Bigs Bar // 7 p.m.
JUNE 14
PRIDE PUB CRAWL
DTSF // 6 p.m.
JUNE 15
PRIDE PARADE
DTSF // 10 a.m.
JUNE 15
SIOUX FALLS PRIDE IN THE PARK
Terrace Park // Noon
JUNE 16
DRAG QUEEN/KING BRUNCH
Icon Lounge // 11:30 a.m.
SOME MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT PRIDE IS… that you have to be gay to go. Pride is for everyone! Come celebrate with all the rainbow-glittery goodness.
HOW PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED IN PRIDE IS… by sending us a message on Facebook or emailing us. We’d love to connect with you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SIOUXFALLSPRIDE.ORG.
