San Francisco
CNN
—
Darcy Dollinger, San Francisco Veteran vivid drag scenethe London Breed Mayor’s Office announced Thursday that he has been named the city’s first Drag Award winner and will serve as San Francisco’s ambassador for drag and the LGBTQ+ community for an 18-month term.
This is the first such position in the country.
“While drag culture is under attack in other parts of the country, San Francisco embraces and elevates the incredible drag performers who have contributed to the city’s history of civil rights and equality through art and advocacy,” said Breed. said in a news release. .
“I’m proud to live in a city that’s pioneering this position in the United States and other parts of the world that may not be pro-drugs,” Droringer said. The role will build bridges and forge partnerships while elevating and celebrating the art of drag. ”
Dorollinger told CNN that drugs are a way of finding refuge for many people who “haven’t been allowed to shine in real life and as their true selves.”
The city of Breed formally announced the creation of a drag award winners program in its June 2022 city budget, although the concept was first introduced in a report by San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ Cultural Heritage Action Commission in August 2020. . The task force was sponsored by the city and considered community feedback on LGBTQ+. needs and concerns.
The task force calls for partnerships between city officials and community organizations to expand creative programs for LGBTQ+ artists, including “Creating and Funding Residence Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Artists”, among other strategies. recommended to improve.
Finding space for queer creators is a problem Dollinger understands well. She opened her popular cabaret and nightclub Oasis in 2015, providing medium-sized venue space for both local drag performers and her touring drag performers. For the San Francisco drag community, Oasis’ survival and success through the pandemic was crucial.
“It’s important to have space for everyone, and Oasis has become a bit of a hub,” Dollinger said.
Courtesy of Rachel Ziegler
Darcy Dollinger, along with the Mayor of London Breed San Francisco, hosted the tape-cutting of the mural on the exterior of Mr. Dollinger’s cabaret and nightclub, Oasis.
In San Francisco, drugs have a rich history, both as an art form and as a medium of protest. Dating back to the 1950s, nightclubs like Black Cat and Finocchio’s attracted both queer and heterosexual audiences. The cafeteria riot in the Tenderloin neighborhood of Compton was one of the first. Notable acts of queer protest 1966 – Three years before New York City’s famous Stonewall riots.
Originally from San Francisco, Dollinger has always been drawn to the city’s vibrant and creative queer scene.
“There’s something in the water. What I find interesting about San Francisco is that there’s a willingness to experiment here that you don’t see in many other places. People make pure art.” I’m happy to do workshops and play with things for pleasure,” Dollinger said.
She praised the city’s spearheaded efforts to promote drag, especially at a time when drag performance is under attack. By making drag winners official posts in the city and giving them $55,000 scholarships, San Francisco is sending a message of drag’s “legitimacy,” Dollinger said.
“[San Francisco]isn’t looking for volunteers. They want us to be diplomats and come to the city and be part of the city.”
Noah Berger/Associated Press
Darcy Dollinger hosts a drag show at Oasis Nightclub in San Francisco on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
One of the Drag Award winners, Per Shea, fell in love with the art of drag as a photographer, capturing images of drag queens in South Central Los Angeles and San Francisco before she began wearing drag costumes. was They loved the extravagant, celebrity-like persona that drag queens embodied, but felt too shy and nervous to do drag themselves.
Per Sia first donned her drag outfit 16 years ago when she had the courage to perform in San Francisco’s Castro District. The experience was revelatory, but they never looked back.
“After me [performed]I felt a joy and strength that I had never felt before, and I was totally hooked,” said Per Siah.
Courtesy: Socrates Para
Socrates Para, also known as Persia
They are juggling drug performance with a second career as an arts educator. Per Shire, who jokes that he can “teach little kids” during the day and “perform for big kids” at night, sees drag as an educational tool as well as entertaining people. ing.
They combine these two careers as regulars on Drag Story Hour, a program where drag queens read stories to children to encourage self-expression. They do storytelling at San Francisco Public Library events and Oakland Her Pride, and Per Her Sia enjoys teaching kids to “think outside the box” through these storytelling times. I’m in.
“When you’re a little kid, it’s all about using your imagination, making everything sparkle, using all colors, but at some point it’s all taken away,” said Per Sia. “The advantage of drugs is that it teaches children that there is another way to live.”
Drag has always been a part of Ms. Dollinger’s life, but it took her until her 40s to accept drag as “work clothes.” She credits drugs with helping her find her own community and identity.
“So many people who fall into drag discover it when real life doesn’t allow them to shine and their brilliance is squashed,” Dollinger said. “Drugs are a way to release a lot of that.”
Courtesy of Nick Navarro
Darcy Dollinger on the Princess runway, dance party and drag show at Dollinger’s cabaret and nightclub, Oasis.
The nomination of the Drag Awards comes at a time when conservative lawmakers across the country have threatened public drag performances and transgender representation.
“San Francisco’s inclusivity and commitment to the arts are fundamental to who we are as a city,” Breed said in a November statement. “Drag artists are helping pave the way for LGBTQ+ rights and representation across our city, and they are part of what makes our city so special.” [[pending updated comment from mayor’s office TK]]
Legislation to ban or restrict drugs is gaining momentum in many Republican-led states. Republican lawmakers have argued that drag performances expose children to inappropriate sexual themes and imagery, but many drag performances take place in age-restricted venues or require parents to participate. consent may be required.
In March 2023, Tennessee became the first state to pass a law banning drag performances on public lands and anywhere children can watch performances.
Dollinger feels the effects of national backlash against her work, even in cities known for their progressive values. She told CNN that she spends more money on Oasis security to keep audiences and performers safe.
“By enacting these kinds of laws and demonizing the transgender and LGBTQ+ community, what they are doing is inciting violence,” Dollinger said. “It’s horrible. They want to erase my community and erase us.”
Both Per Shire and Dollinger hope that by pioneering drug winner status, San Francisco will establish a model of tolerance for others to follow.
“Important events are happening here in San Francisco and the world is watching. For someone like me or someone who applied for this position, it’s very special, but at the same time, the drugs are powerful and the position is well deserved.” It’s also showing the world that it’s a thing,” said Per Sia.
