21st Annual Drag Show Performers Mesmerize Over 1,600 Audience Members

As eager audience members flooded into the Miller Highlife Theatre for the 21st annual UWM Drag Show, UW-Milwaukee Drag Queen Jaclyn Hyde used fond memories for inspiration, support and validation from past fans to give her the confidence to overcome pre-performance jitters.

“Honestly, meeting fans and having somebody know who you are is an amazing thing,” said Hyde. “When somebody comes up to me and tells me that they liked my performance… I’m like, ‘Oh my God, they know who I am.’”

The UWM Drag Show’s impact has far exceeded the 1,600 people who attended Saturday night; it has changed attitudes in the community. Over the past 20 years, the UWM Drag Show has gained support and molded perceptions in the community. It is among the largest drag shows in the Midwest and is ranked #19 on the UWM bucket list.

Audience members who filled the lobby dressed for the occasion with gobs of glitter and glamorous apparel. UWM student Abbie Holter looked fierce dressed in her black ripped skinny jeans. She thoroughly enjoyed the show and said that has an impact on campus.

“The general population of the campus is just super welcoming and friendly and I think having things like this where you’re just being shown something that’s normalized is awesome,” said Holter, when asked about LGBTQ acceptance on campus. “It’s a really cool way to keep people entertained and also introduce them to new things.”

 Adding to Holter’s statement, UWM student Elyza Jordan recalled a conversation with her friends about inclusivity on campus.

“It’s not only people who attend Milwaukee who have said that, but I have friends that came from Madison, and they said the exact same thing, like ‘Wow it’s so different, you wouldn’t see this in Madison,’” said Jordan. “People are so welcoming, and they’re so expressive they really show off how they feel, it’s just like awesome.”

Students from UW-Oshkosh, UW-Whitewater, UW-Parkside, Marquette, Concordia, and Cardinal Stritch, along with varying high schools, joined UWM students in the festivities this year.

Upon arrival at the Miller High Life Theatre, audience members were greeted in the lobby by tables of LGBTQ+ organizations and other supporting institutions that surrounded the room.

Among the tables was Veterans for Diversity, an organization that assists LGBTQ people who served in the military. It helps them feel comfortable being who they are, especially in places like the Legion, said Kimberly Stuart, corporate executive officer for Veterans for Diversity and UWM alum. She was assisted by Denise Northway and Marvin Northway, American Legion members of Post 18, who also help implement inclusivity of LGBTQ veterans.

“As a UWM student, I could have gone to the Women’s Resource Center, the Military and Veterans Resource Center, or the LGBTQ Center,” Stuart said. “I went in the LGBTQ Center because they wanted me for everything that I am.”

Another table improving support and inclusivity in the community was Diverse and Resilient. Diverse and Resilient is an LGBTQIA serving public health agency in Milwaukee. Anti-violence, sexual health, and youth programs are all offered for LGBTQ individuals.

Jamal Perry, program coordinator for sexual health programs at Diverse and Resilient, talked about coordinating and supporting the Intersectionality Among Men group composed of 18 to 29-year-old same gender loving black and latino men.

Seasoned Drag Queen Lady J, co-host and UWM drag queen performer, also showed support for young LGBTQ people when she said, “It is very important for our students to understand we are here for them and they are not alone.”

Vivian Star, co-host and drag queen performer, left the audience with an impactful lesson about the importance of acceptance.

“Listen to folks when they tell you who they are and believe them,” said Star.

Audience member and aspiring UWM Drag Show performer for 2021, Sunshine Raypop, has found who she is through participating in drag performances in the community.

She has been performing at other places around Milwaukee such as the Cactus Club and River West Milwaukee for 3-4 years.

“I started doing drag at a moment in my life when I wanted to give up and drag for me was my happy place,” Raypop said. “Going to shows helped me find what I want to do.”

Her story, like so many other drag queens and kings, expressed the impact of drag on her life. This impact spreads far beyond the performers and into the community, thanks to the UWM Drag Show.