Aspiring UMKC student drag performers showcased their talents at the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) drag showcase in the Student Union Theater on Sept. 16th.
Hosted by UMKC Alumni and Kansas City drag performer KC Sunshine, the showcase featured 11 student drag artists alongside three professional drag performers.
The performers said the showcase was more than just entertainment, but also to share how drag is important at UMKC and that it’s a safe space for students.
“We’re in such harrowing times, it’s important for queer and trans people, and not just our art but the art of all minorities, to be out there,” said student performer Charlie “Miss Fortune” Meyer. “There is this attempt to denormalize or to alienate and ostracize the art of minorities. Art is humanity’s core…people just being people.”
In 2023, West Texas A&M’s president attempted to ban the student-led LGBTQ+ organization from hosting drag shows on campus. Just recently, in August, the 5th circuit of Appeals ruled it likely violated the First Amendment rights of the group, and the shows were to resume. While around the country, state lawmakers were pushing for anti-drag laws.
The nation’s current political conversation surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and drag made the showcase feel all the more important to the performers and attendees.
“I think at the end of the day, we just want to be able to show the world that we are loving and we want to give to others. I think that having a drag showcase it kind of pushes against some of those stereotypes that people might have about queer people and allows them to see the love and the communities we create for ourselves and see that we are not as scary as people like to make it seem like we are,” said student performer Celeste “Charity Bradshaw” Micheal.
Her feeling, that the event is important to showcase and to attend, was shared by other drag performers and attendees
“I feel like a lot of people at UMKC are part of the LGBTQ+ community or have friends that are. Plus it’s fun to see new things if people haven’t gone before,” said UMKC junior Cadence Rich.
Host, KC Sunshine, throughout the show reminded the crowd to do what you love and to use your voice. He also urged attendees to get registered to vote, reminding them it was National Voter Registration Day.
SAGA’s next drag showcase is on October 21st, their annual Halloween show, and will be hosted by Lana Luxx and Rey Markable. For more information click here.
![[FILE] The sorority banners in the Student Union.](https://kcroonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_6328-1-1200x756.jpg)
