“Drag Race” stars serve up democratic realness at Drag PAC’s Drag Night Chicago event

In a celebration of queerness and democracy, Drag PAC hosted its first-ever drag show at the Metro Theater in Chicago on August 21, alongside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) happening in the city. The show, titled “Drag Night Chicago: A Voter Registration Kiki,” brought together a dazzling array of performers, activists, and political organizers to not only entertain but also inspire and mobilize the LGBTQ+ community to vote in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Drag PAC takes center stage

Drag PAC, a newly formed political action committee led by some of the biggest names in drag, made its official debut at the DNC this week. Alumni of RuPaul’s Drag Race—Alaska, BenDeLaCreme, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Peppermint, and Willam—are at the forefront of this effort, aiming to empower and mobilize LGBTQ+ voters.

Their mission is clear: Protect LGBTQ+ rights through democratic action in 2024.

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The Chicago event was a powerful showcase of this mission, with BenDeLaCreme making a special appearance to speak to the crowd, joined by activist and politician Honey Mahogany. Both delivered passionate calls to action, emphasizing the importance of the queer vote and the need to uplift and build the community.

The recurring message was to get out and do something, because our rights are at stake. Lucy Stoole, the host for the evening and a beloved Chicago queen, echoed these sentiments, encouraging everyone to take political action at every level—local, state, and federal.

Related:

“Drag Race” alumni form historic first-ever PAC led by famous queens

Their goal is to register more people to vote and to encourage eligible voters who did not vote in the last election.

A night of fierce performances and political calls to action

While the focus of the night was undeniably on the politics, the drag performances did not disappoint.

Local queens such as Sheeza Woman, Bambi Banks-Coulee got the crowds excited with their high-energy numbers.

One of the evening’s best moments was Sheeza Woman’s epic act as Baby Yoda, taking on Trump/Vance stormtroopers and revealing a Kamala Harris/Tim Walz outfit. Local queens Sativa Diamond, Angelíca Grace, Dusty Bahls, and the event’s DJ, Miss Toto, also owned the stage!

Detox and Willam also took the stage separately before reuniting for a nostalgic performance of their 2012 anti-Chick-fil-A anthem, “Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A),” a campy anthem about the fast food chain with an anti-LGBTQ+ history.

Related:

Can drag queens swing the election? Cynthia Lee Fontaine says they’re more powerful than you think.

“From the moment you start to put on your eyelashes and transform yourself, it’s political,” says the Drag Out the Vote activist.

Empowering voters: Drag PAC’s mission

Stations were set up throughout the venue where attendees could register to vote, sign up to canvas, and learn more about how to get involved in the fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights. The emphasis on action aligns perfectly with Drag PAC’s mission to register 100,000 new voters this election season and make a tangible impact on the 2024 elections.

In addition to Drag PAC’s efforts, local organizations like Q Force played a crucial role in the evening’s success. Q Force, a grassroots organization dedicated to mobilizing LGBTQ+ Chicagoans to volunteer for Democrats in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, was on hand to connect attendees with volunteer opportunities.

Their leadership team, representing a diverse cross-section of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ communities, highlighted the importance of unity and collective action to ensure that Midwestern Democrats win in 2024.

Throughout the night, the speakers and performers reiterated that the upcoming elections are not just about the presidency. Drag bans, book bans, and other LGBTQ+ rights are under threat at every level of government, and it’s more important than ever to engage politically.

Drag PAC’s first show was not just a celebration of drag culture—it was a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ community to stand up and fight for their rights in the face of unprecedented legislative attacks.

Related:

Kamala Harris to appear on “Drag Race All Stars” season finale

“You betta vote!”

Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community stood tall with the DNC

This event took place in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention, also happening in Chicago this week. With such a significant political backdrop, Drag Night Chicago served as a reminder of the intersection between queer culture and politics. As the night came to a close, it was clear that this was just the beginning for Drag PAC and their mission to protect and empower the LGBTQ+ community through voter engagement and political action.

Drag Night Chicago wasn’t just another drag show—it was a bold and necessary fusion of activism, artistry, and community-building, proving that when drag meets democracy, powerful things can happen.

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