Drag Show | Graphic by Bethany Althauser | The Wright State Guardian
On March 30, the Apollo Room housed the Wright State Rainbow Alliance’s 20th annual Drag Show. Drag queen Cherry Poppins was the MC, and the event also featured Johnny Justice, Jackie O, Riley Poppyseed, Augustus Snatch, Amaya Sexton and Scarlet Fever. Also in attendance were many ambassadors promoting sexual health and drug safety.
The extravaganza
Cherry Poppins took the stage and dazzled the audience with her dance moves. As a Wright State alumnus, she was also the MC of the show and extremely funny and engaging, keeping the audience energetic all night.
The drag kings and queens were all accompanied by Sign Language interpreters providing an accessible time for all to enjoy.
Augustus Snatch, a Deaf entertainer from Columbus, Ohio, performed his entire set in American Sign Language. He spends most of his time acting, entertaining and promoting other Deaf artists, entertainers and entrepreneurs.
Community outreach
Not only was there a diverse and beautiful drag show, but the WSU Rainbow Alliance also brought in many community outreach ambassadors to promote awareness of health issues that disproportionately affect the queer community. Right outside the Apollo Room were rows of booths set up and filled with pamphlets, business cards, drug testing kits and people sitting behind them excited to talk to attendees.
One of the most prominent issues affecting the queer community is the prevention and treatment of HIV. At the event, same-day Sexally Transmitted Disease testing was available as well as various pamphlets on destigmatizing STDs.
Helping destigmatize talking about sex, there were open conversations about PrEP, a highly effective drug that actually prevents the user from contracting HIV from unprotected sex or from injection drug use.
For those struggling, unsure or in need of a safe space, access to PrEP is available at 412-844-PREP or the HIV Hotline at 1-800-332-2437. Central Outreach Wellness Center offers free walk-in and home appointment testing for HEP C, HIV, and STDs.
Fighting the stigma
No one is a stranger to the stigmas around drug use, but the ambassadors at the Rainbow Alliance show were committed to breaking those stigmas. All stigma costs lives by preventing access to medical treatment and recovery support, contributing to housing insecurity, promoting shame and low self esteem, causing illness or even leading someone to be arrested.
Fighting stigmas can look many different ways, and such practices include harm reduction services, like Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, syringe services and treatment centers.
Among the lifesaving information, there were also pamphlets detailing how to spot an opioid overdose. For more information and access to test strips, Dance Safe is a nonprofit that provides educational drug harm reduction services.
More resources about drug safety and drug use are on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and at the National Harm Reduction Coalition website.
Mom hugs and safe spaces
It can be hard to find safe spaces. For anyone feeling alone, struggling or just looking for a little extra support, More Than A Hug offers unconditional love with a mission to create an environment of active nurturing, acceptance and affirmation amongst marginalized communities.
Find More Than A Hug on Facebook or send them an email.
