'I’m one of the unicorn drag queens': Lakeland drag queen charity helps 'small nonprofits'

Jason DeShazo was considered the mother of his friend group growing up in Okeechobee. He also loved roses and he had a friend whose middle name was Ashley. That combination helped put together his drag queen persona Momma Ashley Rose.

“I’ve always been in entertainment, and drag was a great way to express myself in art form and be a safe space for all people,” said DeShazo, 43.

The Lakeland resident has been Momma Ashley Rose for 20 years. He prides himself on creating a family-friendly safe space for all ages.

“I like to say I’m one of the unicorn drag queens where I am a family-friendly drag queen,” DeShazo said.

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Momma Ashley Rose is preparing for another fun night of pageantry on Sunday. The Rose Dynasty Foundation is hosting its annual Miss Rose Dynasty pageant. It is Orlando’s only family-friendly drag queen pageant.

The Rose Dynasty Foundation became a nonprofit organization in 2017. The charity pageant has been held annually since 2016 except last year with a cancellation because of the pandemic.

“The reason I wanted to start the organization was of course to continue the philanthropy work of raising money for other nonprofits and charities along with providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and families,” DeShazo said.

“Our message is that you’re loved, accepted and wanted no matter who you are,” he added.

Throughout the year, monthly and weekly fundraisers are held in Lakeland. Each Thursday they host a bingo fundraiser at Brewlands Lakeland North, and on the second Sunday of each month they have Momma and Friends Drag Lunch at Brewlands Lakeland South. Proceeds from each fundraiser go to a different charity. In 2021, the foundation raised close to $30,000.

“It doesn’t have to be LGBT organizations. What I look for are the small nonprofits that are making a difference in the world and making a difference in their community who may not be getting the large grants,” DeShazo said.

Each of the four contestants Sunday will be raising money for a charity of their choice along with the foundation raising money.

DeShazo says even a 5-year-old can attend the pageant and have an enjoyable time.

“Some of my little biggest fans are 5, 6 and 7 that come to all our events. Every year they’re ready for the pageant. We have several homeschool groups coming this year,” DeShazor said.

The pageant begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Dr. Philips Center at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. Tickets are $27.50 per child 12 and younger or $37.50 for adults.Face masks are required. To purchase tickets or find out about more events visit www.rosedynastyfoundationinc.org.

Breanna A. Rittman writes news features for The Ledger. Send your feature ideas to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet Lakeland's Rose Dynasty, a family-friendly drag queen charity