Female impersonation in the US began to gain popularity in the 1930s when America abolished alcohol production. Gay men found safety in underground clubs and speakeasies, encouraging freedom of self-expression, including performing in drag. While the world above them criminalized gay culture and gay people, the buried world became a sanctuary.
Today, drag queens are not only accepted, but they’re admired and celebrated by queer people and straight people alike. As a society, we have come far in our journey of acceptance toward the LGBTQIA+ community, yet we still have a way to go. We sat down with drag queen and pageant queen Roxxxy Andrews to get her take on Pride and the world of Drag.
“I [was] introduced to the world of drag by pageantry and local performances. I’m from Orlando, Florida where drag and female impersonation was taken very seriously, creating the best in the industry,” says Roxxxy on her induction into the drag queen universe. “I would always go to the Parliament House and to Southern Nights. They would have special guests and national title holders that I would watch and learn from.”
We asked Roxxxy how she stays strong through all the trials and tribulations she has faced in her life, including having close ties to victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Here’s how she keeps fighting for the respect that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves.
“I find strength knowing that at the end of the day, you have to love yourself. Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay! You have to live authentically in your skin no matter how different you might be,” Roxxxy tells us. “The world can be a scary place, but you have to look at the bright side of things and realize that it can always be worse. I find my own happiness in all that.”
Pride means so many things to so many people. To Roxxxy, Pride represents a time of celebration.
“Pride means a time of year where you are thankful to live the life you are able to live! To dance, to love, and to party with everyone,” says Roxxxy. “I always love pride events because I feel like it builds the morale up of all the communities. We can be so cutthroat to each other sometimes [laughter]. [And it’s] a time for all of our allies to celebrate with us too!”
Postmates will be participating in the SF Pride parade, and you know we had to ask Roxxxy to come along for the ride.
“When I was asked I said ‘YASSSSS I CANNOT WAIT!!!’ We are going to not only have a blast but are going to make it the most memorable Pride ever!”
Catch Roxxxy Andrews on our Pride float on Sunday, June 30th. The parade starts at 10:30am at the corner of Market and Beale Streets, runs down Market Street and ends at 8th and Market.
