‘Be yourself unapologetically:’ Lubbock drag community navigates shifting cultures
Despite a recent decline in acceptance of drag shows in Lubbock, Texas, the drag community connects through a love of performance and self-identity.
Trina D'Angelo, a Lubbock drag queen, performs at the Un-Official Pride Fest After Party at Culture as the audience waves dollar bills in downtown Lubbock June 28, 2025. Lubbock as been a hotspot of recent anti-drag sentiment sending backlashes to the annual Pride Fest celebrations in the city, D'Angelo said that the art fo the performance is what gets her through the difficulties. “As far as makeup-wise, I'm always gonna have glitter on my face. No matter what number I'm doing. If I'm doing a sad song, I'm still gonna have glitter somewhere on my face,” D’Angelo said. “It just comes a lot from what I was brought up with in the drag community.”
Vanessa Stefani, a Lubbock drag queen, interacts with fans while performing at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025. Stefani said that despite recent community sentiments towards the drag community, “We still have to be proud of who we are every day of the year here. We're doing shows monthly here now,” D’Angelo said. “We still have a safe space for us to come and be together. Being together and having that sense of community is really important.”
Lilianna B. Davenport, a Lubbock drag queen, holds money while performing at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025.
Vanessa Stefani, a Lubbock drag queen, hugs an audience member after performing at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025. Stefani said that the Drag community in Lubbock uses houses to teach and help performers through the early stages of their journey. “My mom and dad didn't know anything about being gay in the world, about using protection and how to survive in the gay world, because it could be cruel, surviving jobs and all that stuff,” Stefani said. “They (Drag family) molded me and told me to build a backbone because eventually you're gonna inspire the next generation.”
Attendees walk around Culture Club at the Un-Official Pride Fest After Party at Culture in downtown Lubbock June 28, 2025. Whether it be in Club Luxor, Ohm Night Club or Culture, Stefani said Lubbock Drag continues to be a source of empowerment for members in its communities, providing an outlet to escape and be free. Stefani said, drag is a necessity not just to Lubbock’s culture but the people it encompasses.
Vanessa Stefani, a Lubbock drag queen, interacts with fans while performing at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025.
Lubbock drag queens get ready in the dressing room prior to performing at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025. After the recent backlash after 2024's Pride Fest, which led to the defunding of the arts in Lubbock, James Dees, vice president of LubbockPRIDE, said new restrictions have been put into place. “The contract states if you do a reveal, you have to keep the amount of clothing on that's the same amount as a one-piece bathing suit,” said Dees. “If you have music, you have to take out any profanity. If you are doing dances, steer clear of provocative movements.”
Malaysia, a Lubbock drag queen, combs through an assortment of makeup brushes while getting ready for their performance at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025.
Vanessa Stefani, a Lubbock drag queen, smiles while getting ready to perform at Lubbock PRIDE's Pride Fest at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in downtown Lubbock, June 28, 2025. “If it had not been for drag queens, I wouldn't have been able to survive,” Stefani said