A revered Philadelphia drag queen died Monday when she collapsed mid-performance at a gay bar.
The city’s LGBTQ community is shaken by the loss of 25-year-old Valencia Prime, who called herself “Philadelphia’s plus-size dancing diva.”
At the time of her death she was performing at Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, which released a statement calling her “a very bright and rising star in the performance community and a person who was always full of love and positivity.”
“We say goodbye to Valencia Prime, but we will not forget the light you brought to the stage,” the statement concluded.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Prime’s mother, Christiana Marcus-McRae, expressed her devastation on Facebook, writing, “25 yrs ago, April 2nd at 7:58pm, I gave birth to my 2nd child and today, I’m making funeral arrangements…”
A GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses has surpassed its $8,000 and has already raised over $11,000.
Messages of mourning have been pouring in across social media for Prime, who, according to NBC News, is a trans woman and originally from Delran, New Jersey,
Timaree Leigh, a dancer and sexuality educator, tweeted, “This community has suffered so much loss in the last few years. Valencia Prime was a talent and a delightful person. Rest in power, babe.”
This community has suffered so much loss in the last few years. Valencia Prime was a talent and a delightful person. Rest in power, babe. pic.twitter.com/oK9vFgpcP6
— dr timaree (@timaree_leigh) September 13, 2022
Drag performer Aloe Vera wrote, “The pain I feel right now is something I wish on no one. You are and will forever be my light. I wish I knew how to keep going without you. I wish I knew how to be inspiring too others that are hurting right now… but a piece of my soul has been taken from me and I’m struggling to pick myself up off the ground without you. I love you with everything in my heart Valencia. Rest in power.”
