‘Beyond the wigs and fame’: Richmond’s Black drag queens ‘serve’ and inspire the community
Drag queens Melanin Monroe, Jasmen ClitO’patra and Amber St. Lexington pose for a performance at Papi’s. Photo courtesy of Adrienne Londono.
Lelia Contee, Contributing Writer
Richmond’s drag scene includes bars, nightclubs and drag shows that foster diverse and inclusive spaces allowing queer people to feel safe and comfortable, according to Adrienne Londono, the owner of Papi’s, a nightclub in Shockoe Slip. Popular places like Papi’s, Godfrey’s RVA and SAD Brunch, an entertainment company, provide opportunities for drag queens to perform and queer people to connect with their community.
However, for many, the uniqueness that comes with being a Black drag queen means shaping drag culture while being one of the most underrepresented, according to Amber St. Lexington, a drag performer and self-proclaimed Richmond’s No.1 dancing diva.
“We do get slept on so many times, mainstream and locally,” Lexington said. “It’s quite crazy to watch, but the girls that are doing it, we are doing it and we’re trying to break the barriers, but it’s still really hard.”
Lexington said she has performed for almost 10 years, starting in Richmond doing amateur competitions. She described her drag style as “club girl,” gaining inspiration from pop stars like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion.
“I like to incorporate the big girls as much as I can into my career because that’s one thing I want to be celebrated for,” Lexington said. “Always being thick and juicy and big and super tall, but never let that slow me down.”
Artemis Lazuli, an alternative drag queen, has been doing drag for six years. She said she drew inspiration from things like fantasy and villains and was a metalhead.
Even though Black people have had to work four times as hard to get half of the recognition, they have existed in almost every single sphere of influence in almost every single environment of creativity, according to Lazuli.
For Lazuli, Black drag representation means creating an environment for the “weirdos,” the “monsters” and people who are not always accepted and loved, she said.
“There is not a single place that we can exclude Black people when it comes down to creative inspiration,” Lazuli said. “If you are an alt, spooky person, live in that, thrive in that. If you love pageants, live in that, thrive in that. If you love anime and video games and blogs and poetry, whatever it is, you belong.”
Melanin Monroe, a drag performer and VCU alum, said that part of being a Black drag queen is giving back to the community.
Monroe said using her performances and talent to give back is key. She hosts amateur shows for new performers, allowing them to be seen, earn money, win prizes and secure bookings.
She also plans to fundraise for Seven Hills Family Medicine so locals have access to affordable healthcare as it serves as a “light in the community,” she said.
“Those are always the most fun shows to do,” Monroe said. “Using my body for charity? Absolutely. I would love to come and jump off of a table at your venue, please. Where are we? Where are we putting the money at? Where’s the check going? Let me know how I can help.”
Alvion Arnell Davenport, entertainment director at Godfrey’s RVA and Miss Continental Plus, said she focuses on how to “reach beyond the stage” through philanthropy work and uplifting the future of drag entertainment.
“I do things like raise money for HIV and AIDS awareness, participate in the George Floyd protests while raising over $15,000 to take care of protesters that day,” Davenport said. “I am a proud member now for the 50th year of the Virginia Pride Board.”
The philanthropy part of it comes from seeing the struggles and hardships of the community, they said. With that upbringing of community and family, Black people play a huge role in pouring into the gay community and in drag circles to instill teachings of responsibility, growth, and success onto their drag children and families, Davenport said.
Jasmen C. ClitO’patra, a drag performer for nearly 10 years, said that Black drag culture has a rich history of Black entertainers that continue to defy the odds and influence the queer community.
ClitO’patra believes older generations of drag queens, made up of Black trans women and Black men, were inspirational and admirable to see in positions of power and being in communities.
“We wouldn’t have drag the way we have drag if it wasn’t for the entertainers of color and Black trans women,” ClitO’patra said.
Not only is drag a protest, but it is a tool for them to use their voice as they feel completely seen and listened to, especially for little Black children coming up in this society, according to ClitO’patra.
ClitO’patra said they show up for the community by being authentically themselves in hopes that it allows people to feel safe and comfortable to also be themselves.
“I love Richmond and I love drag, but what makes me fall in love with it even more is linking up and being able to see people that reflect me in my lifestyle doing great and doing things I’ve always dreamed of doing,” ClitO’patra said.
