On May 18, San Francisco announced artist D’Arcy Drollinger as the first-ever US Drag Laureate. Her title requires Drollinger with preserving and celebrating drag culture.
Essentially, the laureate will act in an ambassador-style position designed to represent the city’s famous LGBTQ+ community. The position comes at a time mid drag bans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation have been on the rise across the US.
“While drag culture is under attack in other parts of the country, in San Francisco we embrace and elevate the amazing drag performers who through their art and advocacy have contributed to our City’s history around civil rights and equality,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s office announced Thursday.
Drollinger was already known as a beacon in the San Francisco city before landing her new position. According to AP, Drollinger is a well known drag performer and nightclub owner. She hosted a “Meals on Heels ” after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
As part of her position, she will receive a $55,000 stipend in her 18-month role. “My goals are to make San Francisco sparkle,” Drollinger said in an interview with the Associated Press. “There’s a lot of power for the drag community in San Francisco. I feel very honored to be able to take that one more step.”
Since the start of 2023, bills targeting drag performances have been proposed across nearly 20 US states. Tennessee became the first state in the US to ban drag in public spaces in February.
West Hollywood is also expected to follow in San Francisco’s footsteps and announce their own laureate in the next coming weeks.
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