My first drag show as a queer woman

As a queer woman, it has always been on my bucket list to visit a drag show.

And the opportunity came when I took the assignment to cover ‘I Slay Cabaret’ for The Argonaut. Without even realizing it I was covering the event on National Coming Out Day and it ended up being one of the best Fridays of my college life. I was covering something important to me — pride and diversity on campus.

I didn’t realize how fun and engaging a night like that could be.

Before the event, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew beautiful queens would walk up and down the aisles but that was it. I also wondered how a drag show would look like at a university, especially the University of Idaho. The night started with a local queen, Faye Queen, introducing other performers and giving a guarantee for a great night.

I didn’t even think the show would be overly engaging — any more than any other performance I have been to before — but queens sang to songs and danced around the aisles of the Bruce Pitman Center. Making sure the stage was not the only thing made for walking.

And when Aquasha DeLusty sat on my lap — it was so exciting I didn’t have words — I was in awe of their choreography and dedication.

ICYM: The Unversity of Idaho presents I Slay Cabaret their second annual drag show

The queens also gave their coming out stories, touching everyone’s hearts in the auditorium. Especially on Coming Out Day, it was important to be mindful of how far the world has come in terms of accepting the LGBTQA community. Events like these would not be possible without the progress the community has made, nor would events like National Coming Out Day or pride be as big and accepted as it is today without progress.

Being a member of the LGBTQA community myself, this event meant the world to me. It opened my perspective on how fun events like these are and how such a supportive community like this exists — even in northern Idaho.

I appreciate how UI recognizes the importance of diversity and can host events like these — giving those in a community of their own a sense of belonging.

The drag show touched me on an emotional level especially these queen’s stories and of all days National Coming Out Day. A lot of people in the room became empathetic because coming out isn’t sunshine and rainbows — what most people think about the LGBTQA community.

Being queer is tough but it makes up by having a tough-loving community behind it.

I Slay Cabaret reminded myself and others in the LGBTQA community how confident and tough-skinned we are.

Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected].

This column has been edited to include additional information about Emily’s experience as a member of the LGBTQA community.