On Tuesday, November 8th, the country voted to elect its next leader. On Wednesday, November 9th, the country awoke to the headlines... President-Elect Donald Trump. I spent that entire day sick to my stomach. I went home from work after only an hour due to a panic attack and throwing up. I was terrified. Now, by this point you're thinking, "Oh great. Another political-social-justice-Trump-is-terrible rant." Not today. I want to talk about something else. Drag. (Besides, we already have enough accurate Oompa Loompa anti-Christ stories.)
On Saturday, I went out after work to a drag show. Not just any show, but the annual professional Drag Show at Appalachian State University hosted by SAGA! I go to it every year, both semesters. It's always fun. This year, however, I was worried. I'd been around a few people, and tensions were high. I noticed the way people walked and spoke. Many of my LGBTQ+ family, normally boisterous and full of life, had their heads down and did everything to keep from drawing attention to themselves. If closets could walk, that's what I saw. I knew why. Like me, they were scared. I wondered if the turnout for the show would be small. If we were afraid just walking around, how many would be there in a space that felt like a giant target had been painted on it. I know for a fact that the Drag show at ASU is usually a space where those who are just beginning to open up and explore their identity go to feel safe surrounded by those like them. Many straight people go to have fun and show their support as allies.
When I got there, the line was short. Usually it wraps around the building and you have to wait forever to get in. Inside there were a ton of seats available. I was running kind of late, too. I ended up sitting on the second row, which never happens. Turns out the show was running a little late due to technical difficulties. Slowly, the space filled up. It began to get crowded. They had even added an extra row for overflow just in case. I'm happy to say that is was an awesome night.
The show was amazing. Honestly, the best I've gone to to date. While the theme was Gays in Space (which was freaking awesome) there was a much larger theme that permeated the air. Strength. Solidarity. Hope. Those amazing queens performed like their lives depended on it and the crowd cheered just the same. By the end of the first act, it was more than just a show. It was a celebration. A celebration of all things Queer. Of life. Of love. No one was invisible. Even the event staff, who were just random student employees, were having a blast. It was a total dance party at intermission and when act 2 started not even the blackest shadow could darken that room. We laugh, we cried and we had a damn good time. I even got to hang out with my roomie's mom and her friend the whole night. During one of the most stirring numbers of the night, Miss Tatianna Matthews performed an emotional rendition of P!nk's "Dear Mr. President."
We remembered that we have struggled and fought hard. Won and lost, but one thing we've never done is give up. Since 2010, I have done my best to unapologetically walk in the light as who I am. I don't plan on stopping now. More importantly, like those lovely queens, I plan to not just walk, but strut (in heels if I can). I want to show the world that I am not going anywhere and neither are those like me. No one can stop us. Not Congress, not the Supreme Court and not the President, whomever they may be. I challenge you to do the same. Get up, stamp on that mug and MAKE THEM HEAR YOU! (Anybody get that musical reference?) MAKE THEM SEE YOU! MOVE THEM! Move them down to the deepest part of who they are. Change is slow, but an object in motion stays in motion and in Space? That's for infinity.
Turns out you can learn a lot from Drag Queens.
