News from INDEx

Working for Independence, Equity, and Justice!

Finding community for Disabled Queer People

Many disabled trans drag artists struggle to find community and make connections. One reason for this is drag venues are often inaccessible, not just for mobility, but also for PTSD. Offering a soothing space to go and calm down.

But this completely changed during the pandemic. To keep drag alive, digital drag shows were created on Twitch. One of these shows included captioning and flashing light warnings. There was even a digital drag festival where disabled trans drag artists did performances about disability. Digital drag connects a large group of disabled drag artists.

Digital drag has made it possible for disabled drag artists to create more personalized performances about their experiences as disabled people. They can build performances to include issues about disability, mental health and domestic violence. Digital drag gives the audience, as well as performers, a chance to get more in-depth in who the artist is.

As COVID recedes and performances move to live venues, the disabled drag community is struggling with keeping those connections up. Live performances don’t include captioning or light warnings, and are often inaccessible to those with mobility issues. There should be a future with disability activists connecting with disabled drag artists. Witnessing disabled queer drag artists create community through art helps people see what disabled queer liberation can look like. It can be life-affirming. You can find and follow disabled drag queens on Instagram and watch digital drag shows on Twitch.tv/MediaMeltdown.

INDEx
25 W Main,
3rd floor #West 9
Spokane, WA 99201
508-606-INDx