On Wednesday night, four local drug performers completely dragged on the first night of the Kennedy Center season. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, an outspoken critic of drugs, sat just a foot away.
The three Queens — Tarafut, Agenesis and Maricon Khan — have joined Drag King Ricky Rose, representing Quente, a volunteer network that unites drug artists to support and defend each other during the growth of conservative attacks. They all sat down with the Washington Blade to discuss the event.
Drug performers were there to watch the opening performance of “Reservables” since Trump bought the historically nonpartisan Kennedy Center. The story shows the power of love, compassion and redness in the face of social injustice, poverty and oppression set in France in the late 19th century.
With complete resistance, the group stepped into the theatre together, fully aware that they would be punished for doing so.
“It was a bit scary because I didn’t know what we were going to walk, but being able to walk with friends was really helpful,” said Vagenesis, a drag queen. “The strongest response we received was from the staff who worked there. They were so excited and grateful to see us. We’ve heard over and over again, “Thank you for coming here.”
The staff were not the only ones who seemed satisfied with the act of rebellion.
“We walked together, so we have the opportunity to get a response,” said Tarahoot, who previously played completely dragged at the Kennedy Center. “It was all applause, cheers and whistles, and surprisingly half empty. I think it’s a season ticket holder sending the message differently.”
Despite the love from the audience and staff, Mari Con Khan said when Trump came in she couldn’t feel anxious.
“I felt two things – disgust and frustrated,” Kahn said. “Obviously, I don’t match what the man has to say or do, and it created frustration because I wanted to do more than just sitting there. I wanted to get closer to him and tell the truth.
They weren’t the only ones who felt this way according to AAVENESIS.
“Someone yelled, ‘Fuck Trump’ from the rafters. I want to think that being there has encouraged people to want to express themselves. ”
The group that appeared on drugs and expressed themselves was an act of rebellion when they agreed to everything.
“Drugs will always be a protest and always a kind of resistance,” Khan said. After pointing out her cross-identity as a “queer, brown, Mexican immigrant,” her presence becomes much stronger like a statement. “My identity, my art, my presence – to be protest.”
Foot, known in the era of drug stories, explained that protests can look different to traditional signs.
“Occasionally, protesting is that we take up space as drug artists,” Foot added. “I felt like I was faithful to who you were. It was an opportunity to live the message.”
And Ricky Rose pointed out that message was ingrained in the Kennedy Center and the art itself.
“The Kennedy Center was founded over 50 years ago as a place to celebrate art in amazing and extraordinary ways,” said Ricky Rose. “President Kennedy himself even argued that culture has great practical value in a time of conflict. “The encouragement of art is not as a weapon of struggle, but as a tool to understand the futility of struggle, but the Kennedy Center was established, and continues in full.
All four drug performers told the Washington Blade (independent of each other) they didn’t think Trump really understood the musical he was watching.
“I don’t think the president understands any kind of plot that is laid out before him,” Vagenesis said. “I want to see what he thinks about Les Miss, a play about a revolution against an oppressive regime. He feels he is equating with the rebels in place of the oppressors. He feels like he won’t get it.
“Les Misérables” will be operating at the Kennedy Center until July 13th.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
