Gainesville is a Drag…Scene Hotspot
Living in Gainesville can feel like a drag. But, from a queer perspective, the Swamp is as colorful as it gets. On and off campus, from putting on Fluidity Fashion Shows to donning everyday pronoun pins, LGBTQIA individuals make themselves known.
Image Courtesy: Gainesville Sun
Groups such as the Change Party, Fluidity Fashion Show and University Club (UC) are just some of the groups where one can find welcoming individuals. On YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and more, the queer community in Gainesville and beyond makes itself known. But it wasn’t always possible — and threats loom.
History of Representation and its Modern Effects…
It’s not just about events and stickers. It’s about the people who speak out for us and call attention to greater issues, such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill signed into Florida law on Feb. 24, banning public school teachers from holding class room instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s about those who refuse to let others’ opinions stop them from being fabulously themselves.
In Gainesville, there are many people we can look to for support and representation.
Ren Katz, they/he/xe, a sophomore and activist here at UF, as well as London Darling, she/her, who works in insurance claims by day and performs at University Club by night, are two such faces to look to.
Image Courtesy: Alan Halaly, The Independent Florida Alligator
Out and Proud, activism and trans visibility
Katz first became involved in activism for the recent “Parental Rights in Education” bill, otherwise known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Katz and Rey Arcenas, friend and co-organizer of Don’t Say Gay protest, had watched a documentary about Harvey Milk. Milk was the first openly gay American politician to be elected to public office in California, and was assassinated in 1978. After seeing how Milk’s assassin’s sentence did not fit the crime, Katz was inspired to do something about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
As a trans person himself, Katz grew up watching Jazz Jennings, one of the youngest transgender activists today. But the lack of outside-the-binary representation is what is still missing from the media today, according to Katz. Representatives like Harvey Milk and Jazz Jennings inspire the younger generation, like Ren, and show why more diverse representation is needed for those who exist outside of binary.
“Seeing trans people in the media is a good thing, but outside the binary representation is what’s missing.” And for people like Katz who don’t necessarily present within the binary, xe is the kind of person we can look to for that representation.
Queen of University Club
If you’re gay in Gainesville and haven’t been to University Club, found on 18th and University, then you have to go to Sexy Saturdays hosted by Queen London Darling. Early Saturday night, before the bustling of people and music could be heard, I found London in the bathroom preparing when she welcomed me and my friends into her dressing room as she sat in front of her large lighted stage mirror.
Darling is from Ohio and came to Gainesville in her early 20s. Her inspiration and start in makeup and drag comes from her grandmother, the woman from whom she first learned about the ways of makeup and wigs. Her stylistic inspiration comes from Reba McEntire, the iconic American country music singer, as well as, of course, Britney Spears. If you have seen any of Darling’s performances, it shows.
Image Courtesy: @werkitlola
Darling said that it was very easy to find a community in Gainesville, and UC has always been a place for people to come and find themselves.
About the Don’t Say Gay Bill, Darling said “LGBTQIA people are part of the world and deserve to be represented as such without making ‘gay’ a dirty word.”
To See and Be Seen
The thankless job of activism
Inevitably, being an influencer and knowing people look to them for representation has changed the way Katz and Darling feel about their own activism.
Katz said being an activist is a thankless job, but it doesn’t change the fact that they want to live their life the way they see fit. Darling said she enjoys the attention from time to time but it’s not why she does what she does.
Oh, to feel seen. To see someone shine in a way you thought you could only dream. To see that you could be just like someone you admire — priceless. Being represented isn’t the end all, be all of who makes it in this world either. You may not see yourself exactly as your favorite character on TV, but you could be someone’s next favorite character. What makes you different is special. Loving others for their unique differences is just as beautiful.
Being recognized for being who you are is nice, but it’s not a reason to do anything; it’s merely a side effect of living a truthful life.
Strike Out,
Writer: Sofia Zarran
Editor: Daniella Conde
Graphic: Dina Coletti
Gainesville
