Drag Me: Supporting our BIPOC + LGBTQIA Community
By Heather Loebe, Seattle NOW Treasurer
On Saturday, February 25, I had the honor of attending the Office of Civil Rights Commissions Black History Month Event at City Hall. The theme was “Black Resistance” and activities included the Participatory Budgeting Project Launch, a screening of “Since I Been Down” (an award-winning movie about the effects of the war on drugs and fear-based punishment in the 80s-90s), a number of panels, delicious food, and an amazing drag show!
I cannot say that drag saved my life, but I can say that it helped save my mental health through the pandemic and beyond. Like many others, I discovered “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on a whim one dark and lonely day of COVID isolation. The minute Raja Gemini walked onto the set of season 3 with their “cyclops hat” I asked myself “WHERE HAVE I BEEN ALL THIS TIME?” From there, I set out on the colorful, artistic, tea-spilling, uplifting, beautiful adventure that is binge-watching 13 seasons of Drag Race (there are 15 seasons now).
Though RuPaul brought the artform into our modern living rooms, drag has a long and rooted history in the black community. For a bit of that history, see this PBS video about William Dorsey Swann, the first known Queen of Drag. And it does actually save lives (also see “We’re Here” on HBO). Additionally, it brings ample amounts of joy to people young and old, queer or not. This was definitely the case at “The Black Drag Show” at City Hall. It was an evening of high-energy entertainment, black pride, and creativity the house down! This show was free but I would have paid a pretty penny to see this much talent in one room (remember to bring your tipping cash to any drag show)!
I want to give a huge shout out to the night’s performers: Laila, Velocity Dior Black, Sable Jones St. James, Sativa Black Jones St. James, King Leo Mane, Beyonce Black St. James, Hot Pink Shade, and Diamond Lil, plus Coach Giggz as MC and the Kutt N Up dance troupe. All were absolutely amazing. Thanks to them for bringing creativity, love, and black drag excellence to the community.
I am sure we have all heard what is happening around the country, with 32 bills introduced across 17 states targeting drag performances - and more to come. Tennessee was the first to pass one into law, barring “adult cabaret performances” on public property or in places where they might be within view of children. According to The Guardian, the bill bans, among other things, “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers.” Violators may face misdemeanor or even felony charges.
There has been quite a bit of backlash from performers, the LGBTQIA community, and allies. We can all help support the community by donating to the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund, slipping tip money to some of our local queens at various shows around the city, or sharing your support on social media. As RuPaul says, “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag!”
If I left anyone out of the list of performers, it was not on purpose! You can find MC Coach Giggz and the Kuttnup dance team @teamkuttnup and other info at #theblackdragshow2023.