Drag University is a Houston-based program designed to support Black and Latino Texans in the LGBTQ+ community. The program teaches participants essential drag skills, as well as life navigation techniques in a state hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. This summer's cohort includes working-class queer individuals who seek empowerment through drag. Participants received training from established drag performers and legal advice for name changes. Despite facing increased anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the program's founder chose to focus on celebration during graduation weekend, providing each student with financial support for their performances.
Drag University is a free program that taught Black and Latino Texans not only how to lip sync and put together an outfit, but how to navigate life in a state that has long led the way in curtailing LGBTQ+ rights.
The eight students in this summer's session were working-class queer people in their 20s and 30s who were trying to find meaning and power through drag.
Chloe Montgomery is a trans woman who had started estrogen treatment a year ago and found it enhanced her life greatly, but she wanted to find a community, which she found in Drag U.
Ian L. Haddock, founder and executive director of the Normal Anomaly Initiative, which organized Drag U, acknowledged it's a hard time for LGBTQ+ organizations, with Donald Trump's defunding of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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