The University of Utah figure skating team joined forces with local drag performers to host "Pride on Leice," a special performance at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex on June 13. The event marked the club's first production dedicated specifically to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community through figure skating and music.
Motivation behind the event
Andee Lyons, the president of the University of Utah figure skating team, organized the event to address a perceived lack of representation within the local sport. Lyons, who founded the club in 2024 and has been skating for 16 years, noted that she wanted to showcase pride specifically because of the sport's inherent nature.
"As a queer woman myself, I was noticing a lack of pride within the figure skating community in Utah, especially because figure skating is a very prideful sport," Lyons said. She stated the goal of the production was to bring more attention to the team and establish a dedicated space for pride within ice skating.
Drag performers share personal stories
The performance featured a collaboration with drag performers Diana Lone and Rosa Rica. During the program, Lone spoke about the personal significance of such visibility in Utah, noting that growing up in the state, being gay was not always accepted.
"Growing up in Utah, gay was not okay, and it took me some time to realize that it’s not just okay, it’s great [and] it’s fabulous," Lone said. She added that pride events serve as a yearly reminder that members of the community should be proud rather than ashamed.
Structure and musical themes of acts
The show was structured into two distinct acts designed to highlight both allies and queer icons. The first act, titled "Allies and Anthems," featured performers Rica and Lone explaining their support for the LGBTQ+ community despite not being part of the community themselves. This segment utilized music from artists considered anthemic to the movement, including Beyonce and Sabrina Carpenter.
The second act, titled "Queens and Queers," focused on openly queer musicians. The skaters performed to music by artists such as Chappell Roan, Troye Sivan, and Renee Rapp. During the event, Lyons was seen skating to Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club," while skater Dianna Sosa performed to Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Community support through local skaters
In addition to the University of Utah team, the event included skaters from various other local skating clubs. For participants like skater Sophia Domonoske, the show served a purpose beyond entertainment by providing communal support.
"The show is important for the skating club itself, but it also helps people know that they’re not alone," Domonoske said. "There’s always going to be somebody there to support them."
Commitment to a safe environment
The event concluded with an open skate session, allowing attendees to join the performers on the ice. Kate Jones, the secretary of the figure skating team, emphasized that the club's mission is to maintain a judgment-free environment for all participants.
"In the skating world, there’s a lot of us queer people," Jones said. "And we just want to have a safe space for everyone to do their thing and feel like they can perform without being judged."
