Drag is part of American history

BY NICOLE MURRAY RAMIREZ

Dragperformances have long been a part of America’s history, including its military, tracing back to the late 1800s. Drag performers were especially popular during World Wars I and II. Both on and off military bases, drag performers raised millions of dollars for the Army Emergency Relief Fund, and President Franklin Roosevelt even attended performances and raved about them. Women soldiers held workshops to teach the soldiers how to dress in drag with lessons in makeup and how to dress in female clothing. Interestingly, because the Armed Services were racially segregated, there would be two ongoing shows separately performed by Black and white drag performers.

One of my good friends, in fact, was the late Army Sergeant Perry Watkins, who was a proud Black drag queen while in the military. He performed across Europe at military bases with his impersonation of Diana Ross, always ending with standing ovations.

In 1961, a proud Latino World War II veteran, and the most famous drag queen in San Francisco, “Empress” Jose Julio Sarria, became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office. While he did not win his race, Jose went on to found the International Imperial Court system in 1965 (often referred to as the LGBTQ+ Shriners or Elks), which now has chapters in the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico. These camp, royal-titled drag queens have raised millions of dollars that have benefitted children’s toy drives, Easter egg hunts, women and children’s abuse agencies, and distributed thousands of scholarships through their youth/ student programs. Jose Julio Sarria also co-founded some of the first LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations in the 1960s. This is why I call Jose “the Rosa Parks of the homosexual civil rights movement.”

And we cannot forget that at the famous Stonewall Uprising in New York City in 1969, when drag queens, queer youth and trans activists played an important role in this historic threeday uprising. Additionally, many drag performers have been honored by the U.S. Congress, Canadian Parliament, and even by the late Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Drag performers have played important roles in theater around the world, from the Shakespearian days of England to the stages of Japan, as drag performances are considered a true art form and talent. Countless movies (since the silent film days) and television shows have featured drag queen characters as well. As we all know, one of TV’s most popular shows, the Emmy Award-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, is now in its 15th season.

What’s lesser known is that drag played a vital part in building the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement and fueled our community’s growth. Drag performers played a major role in fundraising and charity causes, and they still do to this day. Funds raised have benefited countless causes and organizations inside and outside the LGBTQ+ community.

So with such a rich history of drag in this country, why are conservative politicians now coming after a community that has done so much for so many? How do you strip away the rights of a few? You launch a fear-based campaign that creates confusion and incites panic in communities. It’s sad that the Right Wing is trying to portray the drag community as predatorial people looking to corrupt the youth of tomorrow when that couldn’t be further from the truth. We lift up our communities. We’re artists, we’re performers, we’re brothers and sisters, we’re parents and we’re children and we’re your neighbors. Most of the time we live our daily lives out of the spotlight passing by people who have no clue we are part of the drag community. While we might go unnoticed outside of drag, we are also a force to reckon with when backed into a corner, and we won’t sit idly while our rights are being stripped away from us.

These politicians are dividing their constituents on issues they think will help mobilize their base. These tactics of sowing fear on baseless issues are a distraction from the real issues facing our country. For every baseless soap box speech spreading hate, these politicians have one less journalist asking them about gun control, women’s healthcare rights, and the economy – or the real issues the LGBTQ community faces, from discrimination to violence. This recent series of anti-LGBTQ legislation is leveraging the popularity of culture under a misguided pretense of ‘protecting our children.’ What our children need protection from is the very people who are creating this divisive legislation while remaining silent on issues that are literally taking the lives of our children.

Recently, the world’s longest-performing drag queen, 92-year-old Darcelle XV of Portland, was honored by the State of Oregon and the City of Portland after her passing. Before she passed, Darcelle and I spoke of the anti-drag bills being introduced across our nation. I promised Darcelle that we — America’s drag queens who have never been in the closet — would continue to fight these homophobic bills and protect this historic American form of expression and art.

It is in this spirit that the drag community, our supporters, our friends and family, and everyone else need to take action to stop this hatred. Support organizations that advocate for equality by signing petitions, volunteering, or donating money. Make your voice heard by contacting the lawmakers who are behind these heinous bills. Take to social media in support of the drag community. This will not stop with the drag community; it will spread to affect others in the LGBTQ community, people of color, indigenous people, and beyond. I, for one, can’t imagine how boring life would be without drag culture. Our contributions go beyond the glam and glitter. Q

UTAH

Pride

will take place the first weekend of June and this year leaders went to the community to vote for the theme. The community chose “Unapologetic” for this year’s event.

Britt Martinez, adult programs manager for Utah Pride Center, offered up this theme.

“Unapologetic to me means living in authenticity regardless of how the world views us. We are what we are and we’re not taking no for an answer,” Martinez said in a statement.

“This year, that’s exactly the message our community chose to represent our celebrations in June: being Unapologetic is coming out to celebrate our identities together free from fear and imposed standards, free to express our wholeness and beauty,” event leaders stated.

The event will take place June 1 through 4 at Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

Schedule Of Events

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31

As in previous years, the first event of the week is the PRIDE INTERFAITH WORSHIP SERVICE Wednesday, May

31 at 7pm at First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City. Organized by the Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition Interfaith Service brings together faith communities of many varieties from across the Salt Lake Valley.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

An evening of glamour and entertainment featuring MONÉT X CHANGE is promised at UTAH PRIDE LIVE . Also appearing are ULTRA NATÉ , DANA

GOLDBERG , BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM , and DJ GSP. See the Entertainment pages starting on page 20 for bios.

The event is Thursday, June 1 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Hilton Salt Lake City, 255 S. West Temple.

Ticket includes VIP reception, food, hosted bar, and after party

“We are bringing a slice of Hollywood to the Beehive State,” said organizer Jonathan Foulk. “This evening of entertainment and glamour is an all-new addition to our traditional schedule of events. The only thing missing from this incredible gala is you.” The event is 21+ and has separate ticketing, though included in the Utah Pride Total Experience pass.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

The night kicks off with the PRIDE MARCH AND RALLY at 6 p.m at the Utah State Capitol Building.

“We organize to fight for our rights, safety, and visibility. The Rally and March are a celebration of our identities, and a protest against discrimination. Join the fight on Friday night at the Capitol to hear from our community’s diverse voices, and to show the world your rainbow colors!” wrote organizers.

The march will end at the Utah Pride Festival grounds at Washington and Library Squares with the LOUD AND QUEER CONCERT. The concert is headlines by ICONA POP, with TRIXIE MATTEL and ANABEL ENGLUND. See their bios on page 20.

“After our rally at the state Capitol and march to Washington Square, the party officially blasts off,” organizers wrote in a statement. “Be the first to step foot onto the brand new and improved Utah Pride Festival grounds and enjoy a magical evening of music and merriment.”

SATURDAY

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is YOUTH PRIDE , an outdoor youth party on the grounds of the Festival open to ages 13–20. Music, crafts, drag artists and all the exclusive enjoyment.

Also at 11 a.m. is a DRAG BRUNCH for those over 21 at Shades on State, 366 S. State St. Entertainers include LAWANDA JACKSON , DEXTACI , OLIVIA KNOWLES , TIFFANY

BONET, and KC SUNSHINE

Then on Saturday, the official FESTIVAL begins at 1 p.m. at Washington and Library Squares, 450 S. 300 East. Headliners for the day are DRAMA , LA ROUX , CRYSTAL WATERS , RÊVE , BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT, RUBIO, ISIS MURETECH , DAN SLATER , and NINA FLOWERS . Bios on page 20.

SUNDAY

Many people’s favorite event of Pride weekends is the UTAH PRIDE PARADE — Utah’s largest LGBTQ+ event of the year with nearly 150,000 spectators and participants. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs through about noon. Grandstands will be available this year as well. Check for next month’s QSaltLake for the route and grand marshals. The most-attended Festival day is always Sunday. This year, the organizers expanded the hours to noon to 11 p.m. Headliners are VINCINT, JORDY, DEBORAH COX , JODIE HARSH , CUB SPORT, MARRLO SUZZANNE AND THE GALAXXY BAND, RAFA MAFRA , GSP, and KARSTEN SOLLORS . See bios on page 20.

PARTICIPATE VENDORS & FOOD TRUCKS

Those who wish to have a booth at the festival can apply now. Applications close on April 29th and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance status notifications will be sent weekly. Applications received after April 29th may be placed on a waitlist and will be subject to a non-refundable late application fee.

Vendor fees have increased this year. A 10×10 booth will cost $1,500 for applications received by April 29 and $2,000 for late applications. Nonprofits, schools, churches, and governmental agency fees are $750 and $1,000. Food vendors pay 15 percent of sales after taxes and tips, plus participation in providing meals for volunteers.

Some artists reached out to local media about the increase in this year’s booth fees. Last year, the Festival offered a small group of artists and small businesses a shared space, resulting in a $400 fee. Organizers said that artists or businesses who want to combine on their own this year can make an application to do so.

“We share everyone’s frustrations about the cost increases,” Bandeirinha told the Salt Lake Tribune, adding that the nonprofit’s operation costs have “gone up exponentially.”

“We want to invite these small businesses and small individuals to actu- ally see where your money is going,” Foulk told Fox 13 News. “It’s not just to put on this festival, it’s actually to provide life-saving programs and services, and that’s why we’re here.”

Financial assistance can be applied for at vendors@utahpridecenter.org

Parade Applications

Those wishing to be part of the Utah Pride Parade must submit an application by April 29. Applications are available at UtahPride.org.

Sponsors

There are three types of sponsorships available for this year’s Pride — Community (businesses with under $5 million in annual revenue), Local (businesses and organizations with annual revenue between $5 million and $100 million), and Corporate (over $100 million in annual revenue).

Volunteers

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help run the festival, plus to help run peer-to-peer programs at the Center. Applications will open soon here

Committee

This year’s organizing committee is Jonathan Foulk, co-CEO of development and operations; Rosa Bandeirinha, communications director; Ted Nicholls, operations director; Zeb Williams, special events manager; and Chad Call, parade director. Applications for performers, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers are at the new utahpride.org website.