When Challenges Arise, the Queens Step Up: How Drag's Legacy Ignites Our Struggle

Last month, I stood alongside millions across the United States to oppose the oppressive actions of our government. Although I had previously marched against ICE raids in places like Los Angeles and Pasadena, this time I embraced a different persona: I was in full drag. Despite the rising temperatures, it felt necessary to don my finest feathers, sparkling sequins, and most comfortable platforms to amplify my voice in the most impactful way I knew. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone in this colorful display, as many joined me with the rallying cry: “No Kings. Yesss Queens!”

For some, dressing in drag amidst pressing and violent threats might appear trivial or even silly. But for queens, kings, and other fabulous drag beings, drag is more than just armor—it’s the catalyst for political imagination that enables us to both envision and actualize a fairer world.

Drag as a Beacon of Unity and Joy

At a time when various intersecting communities are under assault—including trans individuals, immigrants, people of color, and drag performers themselves (including myself, thanks to certain political figures)—we recognize the urgent need to unite and resist with a spirit of love and exuberance that outshines our adversaries’ hatred and fear.

Despite the political turmoil of recent months, I often turn to the history of drag for motivation, not only for organizing and protesting but also as a testament that our collective efforts can lead to victory.

Recently, I curated an exhibition titled “It’s Where I Belong: 40 Years (and More) of Drag in West Hollywood” at the One Institute. This exhibition showcased over 200 photographs, flyers, videos, costumes, and other materials sourced from institutions like the ONE Archives at USC Libraries, as well as community contributions.

Though focused on a small city, these artifacts highlight drag's broader significance. It transcends entertainment, serving as a folk art form that has been instrumental in forging LGBTQ+ communities and fostering queer and trans political power.

The Historical Impact of Drag

Drag performers have been pivotal in modern LGBTQ+ history, both locally and globally. A common phrase during Pride Month is that the first Pride was a riot, led by trans and gender-diverse drag pioneers of color like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and Stormé DeLarverie, who sparked the Stonewall rebellion in New York City.

But Stonewall was neither the first nor the last queer nightlife uprising. In the mid-twentieth century, amidst frequent police raids on gay bars—a reality that should mobilize all LGBTQ+ people today—many cities, including Los Angeles, witnessed numerous acts of resistance.

Some of these events have become legendary, such as the Southern California Cooper Do-nuts riot of 1959 and the Black Cat protests of 1967, as well as the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot in San Francisco. However, less documented is Los Angeles’s “Innocent 9,” a group arrested at the 1972 Universal Ball for "lewd" conduct.

While no protests followed these arrests, the group’s legal defense committee organized drag events like the “009 Ball” to raise funds and spirits. As reported by The Advocate, drag queen Missy’s powerful rendition of “This Is My Life” uplifted the crowd, symbolically stripping out of drag and earning a standing ovation.

Drag as a Force for Change and Support

Drag performances not only celebrate art’s role in inspiring and chronicling social movements but also function as fundraising tools for these causes and for mutual aid.

The 1972 Universal Ball was organized by Empress La Rey, the first leader of the Imperial Court of Los Angeles and Hollywood (ICLAH). Over more than five decades, this charitable organization has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, all while humorously challenging the notion of monarchies.

ICLAH is part of the broader Imperial Court system, founded in 1965 by San Francisco drag legend José Sarria, the first openly gay candidate for public office in the US. The system spans North America, with local chapters advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS services, among others.

Similarly, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of drag nuns founded in San Francisco in 1979, focus on spreading joy and combating stigma. They raise funds, engage in political education, and organize, creating Get Out the Vote posters and encouraging civic participation. Their rituals, blending humor and seriousness, channel activists’ righteous anger alongside playful strategies.

Drag as a Medium for Education and Community

Drag’s artistry also fosters connection and learning. In my own work with Drag Story Hour and as a children’s book author, I cherish sharing this magical art form with children, expanding their curiosity and imagination. Beyond these educational efforts, drag has long served as a platform for political and cultural commentary, keeping our communities informed about issues affecting queer lives.

At the Hard French pride party in San Francisco, I delivered a passionate response to political attacks, inspired by the Innocent 9 and honoring drag icons whose legacies continue to guide us.

These examples represent just a fraction of drag’s transformative impact. In times when those in power promote conformity and fear, drag artists exemplify how to stand up for oneself and others, doing so with unmatched fierceness and style.

Whether you choose heels, a wig, or your own unique expression of drag, we can all draw on this vibrant energy to continue fighting for peace, justice, and a touch of fabulousness.