Dancing in the Halls! HGSA's Drag Event Shines a Light on Anti-Trans Legislation

3 drag performers in Classroom Building

On Wednesday, March 27th, in light of the over 500 anti-trans, anti-queer, and anti-DEI bills that have been introduced into legislation this year alone, the History Graduate Student Association and the History Department organized to host an event built around advocacy, education, and fun. “Stop Anti-Trans Legislation: A Drag Performance,” featured professional drag performers, Stormie Daie, Mx. Princexx Peritwinkle, and G-Clef for a spectacular event, open to the public. Music was provided by DJ Webbie, with speakers Pete Sigal, Raleigh-based trans-activist, Jessica Alegre, Stormie Daie, and Cris Culton sharing the history and importance of queer identity to an intersectional project of freedom and creative expression for all. Despite the thunderstorms that forced the event into the second floor of the Classroom Building, our event was well attended, with over 70 people from Duke and the Durham community. The performance was a dazzling success, and we had countless people thank the History Department and its co-sponsors for such a fun and educational event. Special thank you to Cultural Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, and International Comparative Studies, for their co-sponsorship.