For more than 20 years, Anjel Perrone has been DJ’ing at Connecticut’s gay bars, Pride events, Imperial Court functions and so much more. When news came that Perrone’s medical insurance company rejected her claims for a surgery in February because of a pre-existing condition, the community swung into gear.
“Unconditionally, she’s been there for everybody, and everybody wants to be there for her,” former Mr. International Daddy Bear title holder Joe Mannetti told the New Haven Register.
So Manetti organized the “All for Anjel” fundraiser—featuring some of the region’s biggest drag performers, including Lucia Virginity and Robin Banks—this Friday night, May 10, starting at 9 p.m., at the 168 York Street Cafe. A suggested donation is $5.
According to the Register:
Perrone said she’s known all of the performers on the lineup for at least 10 years.
“I think it’s great,” she said.
Perrone said she’s not accustomed to having things done for her, and it’s ordinarily she and her husband who organize fundraisers.
“It’s just a struggle because we’re trying to catch up on rent, car payments and the electric bill,” she said.
Perrone said her deductible is $10,000, so she has been working hard to juggle multiple bills after burning through sick time and vacation time at work. Only recently after her abdominal surgery, she said, has she been cleared to return to work full time, and she continues to meet with a cardiologist and hematologist.
“Everything is finally on the upswing medically,” she said, but she has been burdened with debt as she went about six weeks without a paycheck.
Perrone said she first got involved in the local LGBT community after attending a friend’s drag show; she began DJing several functions in the local community for there, which turned into more gigs with the New Haven Pride Center and the Imperial Courts of Connecticut, Boston, Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as Mr. Connecticut Leather.
“We stand together, and that’s the wonderful thing about the Connecticut community,” Mannetti said. “We stand by our allies who stand by us.”
