PEOPLE OF POINT PRIDE
a series of short stories from the Stevens Point community about what Point Pride means to them
Dayton and Kotah
Dakotah Carter (19,they/them) and Dayton Frederick (20,they/them) began as friends who met online at a time in their lives when they were both needing acceptance. In time, they realized they had feelings for each other and began dating. It was long-distance, but it gave them a chance to help each other heal from their own emotional damages.
Eventually, with the help of Dayton’s mom, Kotah was able to travel all the way from Colorado to move in with Dayton and become part of their family. For the next few months, their lives were peaceful and happy. Dayton was continuing school, they both got new jobs at the same place, and they thought they had finally figured out where to start their lives together.
But then, Dayton began getting sick. It started with breathing problems. Then, on the first day of their new job, Dayton nearly collapsed and had to go home in the middle of orientation. In the next few days, they discovered that Dayton had a large tumor about the size of a lime in their heart that was sitting on a valve and causing blood to back up into their lungs. Within 36 hours Dayton was in emergency open-heart surgery to remove the mass. About an hour after the surgery was complete, the surgical team discovered that a massive blood clot had formed on their heart and had to open their chest up again to remove it, so Dayton ended up having two separate open-heart surgeries back-to-back in one day.
While Dayton was recovering from this massive surgery, Kotah never left their side – sleeping on a hard chair in Dayton’s hospital room and watching over Dayton day and night. Eventually, they learned the tumor was caused by an incredibly rare and aggressive form of cancer. Kotah supported Dayton throughout months of intense chemotherapy, and has moved to Rochester Minnesota with Dayton to help them through the six weeks of radiation treatment that has followed.
No matter how tough it’s gotten, Kotah has stayed by Dayton’s side and all the while their love and friendship grew. Six months later, Dayton’s treatment is nearly complete and the two are looking forward to starting their lives again! Dayton has loved attending Point Pride in the past and is looking forward to bringing Kotah this year, who has never been allowed to attend a Pride event having grown up in a very conservative household. Dayton’s mom decided to sponsor Point Pride in celebration of Dayton’s chemo and radiation being complete.
Dayton and Kotah will be honoring creativity and strength and introducing their collaboration, Hellcat’s Hive. The two will be teaming up on projects like stickers, pins, paintings and more, some of which they’ll be raffling off and giving away during Point Pride. Dayton and Kotah can’t wait to see some new faces, make some new friends, and maybe even inspire people with their story.
Ethan
“Last year’s Point Pride was my first ever pride festival, and it was such an incredible experience. My mom and I decided for my birthday, we’d go on a weekend trip to Pride, and leading up to it, I was pumped. I’d been a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race for a while, but had never seen live drag. My expectations were high and the queens did NOT disappoint! Between seeing the up-and-coming So You Think You Can Drag performers, local queens, and performers from across the state, I was amazed! The special thing about Point Pride, in my opinion, is how even though it is such a big event, it still has the small town charm and kindness of its host city.
After the last show of the night had finished, I really wanted to meet some of the queens, and after my mom convinced me to just try knocking on the stage door, they all welcomed me in and were so sweet. We got pictures together and talked a bit about all the work put into making such a great event, and I left so happy, not to mention inspired! I’m signed up for this year’s SYTYCD, so be sure to say hi after, I’d love to talk about anything drag! My mom, who already was a fan of drag, having had friends do it in the past, left an even bigger fan, and I’m happy to say that watching Drag Race has become a Friday night ritual for my family now!
Of course, Pride is so much more than drag, and it is truly special to be surrounded by people who have had similar experiences to you, and share being part of this amazing community. Everyone was so positive, and always had a compliment for you. Growing up in an area without a huge queer community, it is so incredible to be in a place where even though you might not know anyone, you can all relate and connect almost instantly, and you know they all support and love the person you are. I cannot wait for this year’s Point Pride, and I’m so excited to see you all there!”
