UCLA Charity Drag Showcase Unites Students for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
By Dolores Quintana
On November 28th at 7 pm, the UCLA Royce Rehearsal Room will be ablaze with glamour and purpose as Bimbos Theatre Company (BTC) and the Student Committee for the Arts (SCA) co-host a charity Drag Showcase. Inspired by recent legislative challenges faced by Drag artists, this event aims to create a supportive space for celebration and solidarity among students.
Bimbos Theatre Company, founded in 2022 by two female-identifying arts students, focuses on uplifting and empowering women’s stories and recognizing the various facets of femininity. In response to the current threats to Drag artistry, the company is joining forces with the Student Committee for the Arts to host this impactful showcase.
The lineup features four talented Queens: DIVOS (@d.i.v.o.s), LORELEI (@yeslorelei), and FLORA DECOR (@junesgotjeans). VANILLA BEAN (@thekweenvanillabean) has had to withdraw from the show for health reasons, but an additional number with the other queens will be added. These performers will present a collection of solo and group numbers, promising an evening of entertainment and empowerment. The event anticipates an attendance of around 100 people with the goal of raising $1000 for the ACLU Drag Defense Fund, which will receive all proceeds.
Kaity Cairo and Trystan Dennings, co-founders of Bimbos Theatre Co., serve as co-executive directors and emphasize the importance of providing a space for artists to explore their femininity. Cairo states, “Our mission is to empower all artists to have agency over their work and uplift female creators and narratives.”
Those interested in supporting the cause can donate to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund via the organization’s website. The anticipated two-hour event promises entertainment and a contribution to LGBTQ+ advocacy.