Inweekly Drag On Feature

DRAG ON

Drag performers are known for being flexible—sometimes downright acrobatic—but even they have struggled with the legal limbo that is SB 1438. The so-called "Protection of Children" bill was one of a package of anti-LGBTQ+ laws signed in May by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The law targets drag performances by enabling the suspension of business licenses to those who allow all ages drag shows. In response, businesses all over Florida have altered, and even discontinued, their previously scheduled drag shows, fearing their business could be shuttered for a harmless performance of "Lady Marmalade."

On June 23, Orlando restaurant Hamburger Mary's won a temporary victory against the law when U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell issued a preliminary injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by the restaurant under First Amendment grounds. In his statement, the Judge said the statute is "specifically designed to suppress the speech of drag queen performers." It remains to be seen what will happen to the law, but for now, it seems that the all ages drag brunch may be back on the menu at Hamburger Mary's.

Here in Pensacola, drag performers have been resilient through the ever-increasing debate about the morality of their creative outlet. Once all ages events like brunch at Alga Beer Co. and Shrekthemed parties at Perfect Plain Brewing Co. have pivoted to advertising their drag events as "18 and up." PensaPride, the city's annual LGBTQ+ Pride festival, was forced to remove drag from its lineup, instead hosting an afterparty featuring drag performances for the over 18 crowd.

To see how the local drag scene is holding up, Inweekly hosted an open-call photoshoot a few weeks back. Twenty-one performers showed up and showed out for the camera, proving what we already knew—Pensacola drag isn't letting any one bill or politician keep it down.

We are beyond excited to showcase some of the photos from that shoot this week because they are straight-up stunning, visually. But also because they showcase a wide range of drag styles and experience levels, which really speaks to the overall vibrancy and diversity within the Gulf Coast drag community.

Celebrating Resilience in the Local Drag Scene

In addition to the photos, which really are the star of this issue, we asked everyone a few questions and are featuring some of their responses here. We also spoke with two of the performers at length, just to give you a little more insight on their personal stories, styles and their take on the ongoing controversy. Oh, and we're publishing it in July, because celebrating the LGBTQ+ community should never be relegated to just one month out of the year.

Beyond the Binary

For seasoned performer Andy Rodginous, drag has never been about existing within the binary.

"My drag persona and my performance is pretty much exactly as my name dictates, androgynous. I like to blend what people would generally think is separated queen and king looks and numbers and performances together, and I make something that's sort of like a really nice amalgamation of the two."

Andy's shows feature a wide range of costuming and makeup, a neon pink beard paired with matching eyeshadow, a strong brow and sequined sleeves. For Andy, drag is about more than glamor and lip syncing; it's an honest exploration of gender and queerness.

"I love to be at anything and everything I can be at, because the more I'm out and about and the more I show my face and my type of drag means the more people I'm able to reach."

When Andy first began doing drag almost 10 years ago, they didn't see many performers outside of the traditional pageant-style, hyperfemme queens.

"It wasn't very well received when I first started," Andy said. "A lot of venues didn't get it or they didn't really like it. It took me kind of sort of forcing them to deal with me being in their face all the time before they were like, 'Oh, actually, I really like that. I want that at my show.'"

Now, Andy fears the progress they made will be lost with the recent legislation.

"Now we're seeing a lot of those shows get canceled or, you know, stop happening altogether," Andy said. "A lot of parents like to bring their kids out and about, and then we're also seeing

a lot of businesses who are just terrified to have the shows because they're scared of protesters. And even though it may not be a public venue, they're scared that people are going to show up and cause trouble."

And what about the initial argument of the drag bill, that performers like Andy pose a threat to children's innocence?

"There's not a single performer I've ever worked with who has been told, 'Hey, this is a family-friendly show,' and [then] shows up in the most risqué outfit ever. They've all been very respectful of the fact that if there's going to be kids present, to tone it back, you know, pick a more PG outfit or PG song."

For Andy, the pause on the drag bill is a glimmer of relief for a creative outlet that has become instrumental in their self-expression and identity.

"When I first saw drag, before I even started doing it, it opened a door for me in terms of figuring out my own gender identity and then also realizing that there are people out there who were gay or, you know, alternatively gendered and not afraid of being that. They were very big and very loud and very proud about who they were. It made me realize that that's the kind of person I wanted to be."

It's About Respect

Drag performer Chocolat D. DuBois may be new to the drag scene, but the Mobile-based queen hasn't wasted any time enmeshing herself in the inherent politics of drag.

"It's such a political movement. Just being a man or a non-gender-conforming person or even a woman and dressing up any way that you like is a political movement," Chocolat said. "We're sticking out like sore thumbs because we're going against the grain. We're showing the world that we can be who we want to be, dress how we want to dress, act how we want to act, because that's how we feel on the inside."

Loud, energetic, fun, authentically entertaining—those are the words Chocolat uses to describe her drag-sona, a character who often wears a comically large chocolate bar as a headpiece.

"It's a bit on the nose. I think that's something my whole family is kind of known for—

we're kind of humorous, a little bit campy, but also very glamorous."

Chocolat's family influence is important to her, a nod to her upbringing and the issues faced by many LGBTQ+ children of immigrants.

"I was originally born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Haitian immigrant parents. So growing up was kind of difficult because at a young age, I always knew that I had an attraction to men, and I knew that was something that was shunned and looked down upon in my family. Growing up in a family knowing that I could never be accepted due to religious and cultural reasons was very hard."

Despite these differences, Chocolat is thankful for her family's hard work.

"They are very successful, hardworking people, so they are honestly people I look up to, and I carry that over to my drag," Chocolat said.

In the drag world, Chocolat has found other maternal support in her drag mother, Zamareyah Dawn.

"She looked at me and she said 'Is drag something that you want to take seriously, or is this something that you're just doing for fun?' And I said 'No, I want to take this seriously.'"

From there, the relationship blossomed, with Zamareyah sewing Chocolat costumes, providing advice about performances and eventually accepting Chocolat into her drag house.

"She's just very nurturing, very kind, very patient, very uplifting," Chocolat said. "She has so much going on in her life, but she's never been unable to make time for you. That's what I love so much about her. If I could just measure up to half of what she is, I know that I've made it because she is just amazing."

Living in Mobile, Chocolat has been able to avoid some of the worst of the Florida drag ban, but she has strong words for those who continue to attack her way of life.

"There's really no way to justify what they're trying to do. It just feels like our community is being used as a scapegoat to collect votes," Chocolat said.

"At the end of the day, it's about equality. It's about respect. Before I was Black, before I was gay, I'm human first. So whether or not you accept, you will respect." {in}

Photos By Geoff Peck (@tinyobservations)

"When I’m on stage I can be whoever I want to be, not who they want me to be."

Andy Rodginous @andy_rodginous

"Drag has really helped me with my gender identity and allowed me to feel part of something that is bigger than myself."

Aniyah Jade Oshanns @ioshanns

"Drag has literally saved my life. While I was dealing with stage three head and neck cancer, drag kept me going."

Becky Belle Bottoms

@beckybellebottoms

"Come see the shows and feel the love and support of this community."

Braxton Hicks

"I love to poke fun at toxic masculinity."

@kingbraxtonhicks

Chocolat D. DuBois

@chocolat.dubois

"Drag has given me such happiness and strength, and I consider it my gay suit of armor; it gives me such confidence."

"The art of drag is exactly that, an art."

Edie Yacht @edieyacht

"Being h8male feels correct. I'm as broke as ever, but I'm also the freest I've ever been."

"The confidence I pretended to have while performing in drag has transferred to my daily life, and I am more confident in myself because of my drag persona."

Jay Jay DuVay

@jayjay_duvay_king

K.C. Michaels

"The Boulet Brothers really opened my eyes to the idea of horror and drag being a thing."

@minxthetank

"There are so many other issues in this world to worry about."

"Live your life and let us live ours."

Ozmodeus

@be.afraid.be.very.afraid

"Drag has brought me closer to my local queer community, and I’ve met so many wonderful, talented people at shows and backstage when performing."

Sugilite Maraj @imsugilite

"Drag has allowed me to express myself, and I get paid to do what I love."

"Drag has brought motivation into my life. I feel like I now have something that I'm good at doing, and it makes me happy."

Vantasia Divine

@vantasia_divine

"I grew up with 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' and I was heavily influenced while watching with my mom."

Wyntier Kandiey

"We all deserve to be happy and enjoy the life we're given because we only get one to play with and make a difference."

"My biggest inspiration for my art comes from vintage clowns with a dash of dominatrix."

Xexyr Salade @xexyr_salade

"In this world where just me existing makes people feel threatened and uneasy, it's good to know there’s people out there who love us."