Drag Queen Storytime with Alexa Manila

Aleksa Manila posing with a children's book on the cover of Seattle's Child magazine

Drag Queen Storytime with Aleksa Manila

Stories & More 12:15 PM

Aleksa Manila is Seattle's sweetheart of social activism. As a genderqueer FilipinX immigrant, her passion lies in honoring and uplifting marginalized communities especially BIPOC and gender diverse people. Her early years started with HIV education and intervention targeting young Asian Pacific islander gay men. This commitment blossomed working closely with LGBTQ organizations like Public Health - Seattle and King County, Seattle Counseling Service, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, People of Color Against AIDS Network, Entre Hermanos, UTOPIA among others.

Finding her platform as a performance drag artist, she focuses on the power of voice and visibility for human rights centered on LGBTQ history and legacy. She's a sought after keynote speaker, expert panelist, fundraiser, auctioneer, moderator and emcee at various events extending the boundaries of the traditional queer venues - like Seattle City Hall, King County Superior Court, Filipino Community Center, University of Washington, Seattle University, Department of Health, Asian Counseling Referral Service, and the White House to name a few.
From Miss Gay Filipino, Miss Gay Seattle and Empress of Seattle - she continues to champion communities and collectives that honor the diverse LGBTQ narrative - from Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera to Harvey Milk and Mama Jose. She has gained recognition through her selfless act of creating safe space for others - from Seattle Mayor's Award for Outstanding Leader, Filpino Community of Seattle Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Leadership, Seattle Women's Pride Champion Award, Greater Seattle Business Association's Humanitarian Award for Community Leadership, Grand Marshal at the 40th Seattle Pride, and Jose (Sarria) Honors to name a few including being sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

In 2012, she founded Pride ASIA, a Queer and Asian collective whose mission is to celebrate, empower and nurture the multi-cultural diversity of the LGBTQ2+ communities through the Asian Pacific Islander lens. Through her respected networking and collaborative efforts, Pride ASIA has the honor of disbursing $25,000 to individuals impacted by COVID.

With her Master of Social Work from the University of Washington, she centers her professional expertise on harm reduction, equity and social justice. She is in private practice focused on LGBTQ BIPOC populations, including health advocacy and consultation, and as a Case Manager at one of the HIV clinics in the city. Mx. Manila is a past and present member of the International Court Council, Heir Emeritus and Heir-in-line-of-succession to Empress Nicole The Great de San Diego, Queen Mother of the Americas; and various advisory boards centered on diversity for the arts, field of medicine, transgender health, public health and social work. She is currently an Ambassador for the "Drag Out To Vote" national campaign to educate LGBTQ representation in the polls this fall.
For two decades, Aleksa continues to amplify the disenfranchised, unseen and unheard so that no one is left behind and as a whole, we rise, step out, and come forward to celebrate each other.

We encourage audience members to donate directly to artists, or organizations of the artist choosing. Please direct donations for Alexa Manila to her PayPal.

For more information about Alexa Manila, visit her website.