The Ministry of Drag

Something I have learnt over the past several years after coming out and engaging the gay community and, drag performers more specifically, is that there are many similarities between the prophets of Scripture and drag performers. While there are also significant differences, I really do think that Drag Performers (Drag Queens, Drag Kings and Drag Thems) share a lot in common and could be identified with the role of prophet that we see in Scripture. 

So what was the role of prophets in the Bible? 

Through reading Scripture we see that prophets take on various roles in the community of Israel. They speak Gods Words to Their people (Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 2:7; Exodus 4:12). Sometimes these are individuals like Jeremiah, Isaiah or Ezekiel. Sometimes these are groups of people (1 Sam. 10:5; 1 Kings 22:14-20). It’s also important to note that God does not disqualify women from being prophets and this is the case in both the Old and the New Testaments (Exod 15: 20; Judges 4:4; Acts 21:7-9). 

God uses those They choose to do Their will; without exception. 

Now what did the prophets actually do? 

Well when we look at the major prophets (like Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah) we see that that they called out and pointed out injustices that were being committed, by both the nation of Israel and the nations around them. This included systemic injustices, as well as things that contravened the covenant (like mistreating people, inhospitality, breaking Mosaic Law and many other things). 

In essence, prophets didn’t just tell the future but more often than not they foretold of the judgment that was on God’s people because of the injustices they perpetuated. When people did not walk humbly with God, seek justice, and enact mercy God would bring prophets to speak into the situation. 

They spoke of the ethical standards to help build the body of God (Ephesians 2:20). They also spoke to and in the community to spread God’s desire for peace (1 Cor 14:13,19). 

So how do drag performers fulfill this role? 

Before we get into that I want to explain who and what drag performers do. In the cis-hetero community there are lots of misconceptions. A drag performer is someone who, often, takes on a character and performs and entertains people. Pop Culture is filled with drag references, and the most notable is Rupaul from RuPaul’s Drag Race. While RuPaul has changed the game of North American Drag (and Drag around the world) I am not going to be focusing on Him. 

For those of you who didn’t know, drag performers have been on the forefront of Gay Liberation since the beginning. Some very notable forerunners are Marsha P. Johson and Sylvia Rivera. Both these women sacrificed themselves on the line for Gay and Trans Rights. We can also see how Canadian drag performers speak into their communities in the CBC show called Canada’s a Drag. If you want to see what drag is about, this is definitely a show to watch.

Often, the Drag Community is at the forefront of calling out oppression in all its forms. From homophobia, transphobia, racism, capitalism, institutionalized religious persecution, assault in all its forms and environmental concerns.

One of my favourite Canadian Drag Queens is Kasha Czech. Her performances often include political statements. 

Politics goes right alongside drag, and the queer community at large. God uses those who people think are least likely to be used by God to call out injustices.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of what prophets or Drag Performers are, it does show that God has used drag performers in a prophetic role. 

God’s desire is to see systemic injustices called out and change enacted. He wants to see people enact justice and mercy. In order for justice and mercy to be executed, injustices need to be called out for what they are.

If the Church isn’t going to call out systemic injustices, then why not drag performers?

Thats the ministry of drag.