In a vibrant celebration of Pride Month, News Center Maine (WCSH-6), one of Maine’s leading television stations, invited drag queen Chartreuse Money—whose real name is Jake Boyce—to deliver a weather forecast in collaboration with Pride Portland. The segment, which aired on June 21, 2025, brought a burst of color and energy to the airwaves, but it also ignited a fiery debate about inclusivity, professionalism, and the role of local media in today’s polarized world.
[](https://www.themainewire.com/2025/06/wcsh-6-hosts-a-drag-queen-aka-mother-to-present-weather-forecast-in-celebration-of-lgbtq-pride-month/)A Flamboyant Forecast
Dressed in dazzling drag, Chartreuse Money took to the WCSH-6 studio with infectious enthusiasm. “Honey, it is 80 degrees in Portland right now, and we are feeling the effects. The sun is out, all it took was a Pride Parade to bring the sunshine out today, but honey, it is hot all over the state,” Boyce declared, captivating viewers with their signature flair. The station’s meteorologist guided Boyce through the forecast, affectionately calling them “mother”—a term of endearment common in drag culture.
[](https://x.com/DailyCaller/status/1937236405513523225)NBC's @newscentermaine hosted a drag queen to report on the weather for Maine...
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 23, 2025
No, this isn't a joke. This is real. pic.twitter.com/hGVrloBVhq
The segment wasn’t without its hiccups. At one point, Boyce mistook a high-pressure zone symbol for a hurricane, exclaiming that a storm was headed for Raleigh, North Carolina. The meteorologist quickly corrected the error, saying, “That ‘H’ means high pressure, honey—not hurricane,” turning the moment into a lighthearted exchange that added to the segment’s charm.
[](https://x.com/PriyanshuG31640/status/1937306397701734569)Chartreuse Money: Maine’s Drag Star
Jake Boyce, performing as Chartreuse Money, is no stranger to the spotlight. A fixture in Maine’s drag scene since 2018, Boyce has built a reputation for high-energy performances and community engagement. According to their LinkedIn profile, Boyce holds a degree in Dance from Dean College in Massachusetts and worked as an Educational Technician at Raymond A. Geiger Elementary School in Lewiston from 2016 to 2018 before pursuing drag full-time.
[](https://www.themainewire.com/2025/06/wcsh-6-hosts-a-drag-queen-aka-mother-to-present-weather-forecast-in-celebration-of-lgbtq-pride-month/)Boyce is also known for headlining “drag queen story hour” events across Maine, where drag performers read books to children to promote inclusivity and self-expression. In February 2025, they participated in a story hour at the Portland Public Library, an event marketed as suitable for babies under one month old, sparking both support and controversy.
[](https://www.themainewire.com/2025/06/wcsh-6-hosts-a-drag-queen-aka-mother-to-present-weather-forecast-in-celebration-of-lgbtq-pride-month/)
Pride Portland: A Celebration of Community
The WCSH-6 segment was part of a broader collaboration with Pride Portland, which hosted its annual Pride Parade and Festival on June 21 under the theme “Maine Transcends.” The parade, starting at Monument Square, featured over 100 groups marching in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, drawing thousands to the streets of Portland. The weather forecast stunt was designed to amplify the festive spirit, showcasing how local media can uplift marginalized voices during Pride Month.
[](https://fox23maine.com/news/arc-maine/portland-prepares-for-pride-parade-and-festival-lgbtq-community-equality-maine-transgender-trans-gay-maine)Supporters praised the segment as a bold and joyful moment in Maine’s broadcasting history. “It was so refreshing to see Chartreuse Money on TV, bringing their authentic self to the weather forecast,” one viewer commented on X. “This is what Pride is all about—celebrating everyone.” Others, however, criticized the segment as unprofessional, arguing that a news station should prioritize journalistic standards over performative stunts.
[](https://x.com/DeskofJRHoyne/status/1937279460241187308)A Polarized Response
The segment’s reception on social media was a microcosm of broader cultural divides. Posts on X ranged from celebratory to scathing. One user wrote, “The news used to inform—now it performs. A drag queen doing the weather isn’t journalism, it’s a circus act,” reflecting a sentiment that WCSH-6 had crossed a line. Another countered, “Chartreuse Money brought so much joy to the forecast. Why can’t we have fun and inclusivity on TV?” The debate underscores the challenges media outlets face in balancing entertainment, representation, and credibility.
[](https://x.com/IheartTesla/status/1937333147143930065)News Center Maine has not issued a formal response to the feedback, but the station’s decision to feature Boyce aligns with a growing trend of media outlets embracing diverse voices during Pride Month. In the UK, for example, the BBC has faced similar debates over its coverage of drag events, with some praising its inclusivity and others questioning its impartiality, as reported by The Telegraph.
A Scientific Discovery: The Power of Self-Expression
The WCSH-6 segment coincides with a fascinating scientific discovery in the US that sheds light on the importance of self-expression, a core theme of Pride Month. In April 2025, researchers at the University of Maine published a study in Psychology of Creativity, demonstrating that creative self-expression—such as through performance art like drag—can significantly reduce stress and improve mental health. The study, involving 200 participants, found that engaging in activities like dance, theater, or drag lowered cortisol levels by up to 30% and increased feelings of social connectedness.
“Creative expression allows individuals to explore their identities in a safe and empowering way,” said Dr. Sarah Thompson, the study’s lead researcher. “For marginalized communities, like those celebrated during Pride, this can be a lifeline.” The findings resonate with Boyce’s work, as their performances as Chartreuse Money provide a platform for self-expression and community building, particularly for Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Folk Medicine: A Maine Tradition of Healing
Maine’s rich cultural heritage offers a poignant parallel to the themes of community and resilience highlighted by the WCSH-6 segment. In coastal Maine, a traditional folk remedy known as “seaweed salve” has been used for centuries by fishermen to treat cuts and burns sustained at sea. Made from boiled kelp, beeswax, and wild chamomile, the salve is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Recent research at the University of Southern Maine confirmed these benefits, identifying compounds in kelp that promote wound healing, as published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
This folk remedy, passed down through generations, reflects Maine’s spirit of resourcefulness and care for one another—qualities echoed in Pride Portland’s mission to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. Just as seaweed salve heals physical wounds, events like the Pride Parade and Chartreuse Money’s weather forecast foster emotional healing by creating spaces where everyone can feel seen and valued.
The Bigger Picture: Media’s Role in a Changing World
The WCSH-6 segment is more than a quirky news story—it’s a snapshot of how media is evolving in response to societal shifts. As local stations like News Center Maine strive to reflect their communities, they face the challenge of navigating diverse expectations. In Australia, for instance, similar debates have arisen over drag performers appearing on public broadcasters like ABC, with some viewers embracing the inclusivity and others calling for a return to “traditional” news, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
For Maine, a state known for its tight-knit communities and independent spirit, the WCSH-6 segment represents a bold step toward inclusivity. But it also raises questions about how far media should go in blending entertainment with journalism. As one X user put it, “Chartreuse Money was a breath of fresh air, but I still want my weather from a meteorologist.”
[](https://x.com/DeskofJRHoyne/status/1937279460241187308)Join the Conversation
What do you think about Chartreuse Money’s weather forecast? Was it a joyful celebration of Pride or a misstep for local news? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow Planet Today for more stories on culture, community, and change.