Feature
D
onna Trump, wearing a walrus
mask and a bright blue quaffed wig,
is giving some pointers about self-care
on the main stage of DragWorld UK.
Joining Donna on stage for the
‘Coping Fiercely’ panel are RuPaul’s
Drag Race stars Shea Couleé and Latrice
Royale, as well as Mean Girls actor
Daniel Franzese. Their moderator is
wearing a midnight purple robe, and
goes by the name Crystal Lubrikunt.
“Even if you don’t have support from
your family, remember that your friends
are there to support you,” Royale tells
the crowd. “Sometimes, you might need
to switch off from social media - if you
read enough negative comments, you’ll
Coping
fiercely
How DragWorld UK’s
fabulously inclusive philosophy
is the key to its success
Words: Stuart Wood
start to believe it. When that happens, I
remind myself I’ve been doing this for 26
years with love and support from those
around me.”
The audience for Royale and Trump’s
panel is completely packed out, with
every available seat taken. It is also filled
by a surprisingly young audience, many
of whom are themselves in drag.
Nathan Stone, director of non-
traditional touring at The MJR Group,
says the idea for DragWorld came
about when he noticed the audience for
MJR’s existing drag events was much
younger than anticipated. The company
organised RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of
the Seasons and Bianca Del Rio’s Not
Today Satan, which took place in all ages
venues and were particularly successful.
Photography: Cath Dupuy
MJR researched existing consumer
exhibition models with the likes of
Comic Con, and then took the plunge
to launch the convention in 2017. “After
three years we have doubled in size,
attracting over 12,000 attendees per
year,” says Stone. “We have multiple
pre and after-parties to ensure that the
nightlife artform is fully represented
whilst still produced, promoted and
showcased for an all ages audience.”
As DragWorld has grown, MJR has
also been careful to pick sponsors which
align with its values. Stone adds: “We
live in a world where, for one month of
every year, brands try to cash in on Pride
by changing their logo to a rainbow and
chucking money at events for brand
exposure. We are very lucky that we
have had support of large sponsors
which match our values and morals at
DragWorld. Throughout the years we’ve
had GHD, NYX Cosmetics, TikTok, Sally
Beauty and GlamCor.”
Creating an inclusive events space is
also at the top of the agenda. For many
of the young LGBT+ attendees and
aspiring drag queens, DragWorld is more
than just an exhibition – it is a safe space
where they can be themselves.
That inclusivity might just be the key
to the event’s success, too. Stone says:
“This year, we had a fantastic collection
of queens, kings, AFAB queens and
transgender artists representing the UK
and the US. Each year we learn so much
from the audience about what we are
lacking, and where our focus needs to
be. That allows our show to constantly
evolve.” EN
“For many of the young
LGBT+ attendees and
aspiring drag queens,
DragWorld is more than
just an exhibition — it is a
safe space where they can
be themselves”
28 — September