Nicaragua's drag royale empowers queer artists in central America
Image and text: Reuters
Over 1,000 individuals attended the Mix Imperial Central American Tropical Drag Royale in Managua, Nicaragua, where drag queens from various Central American nations competed.
Image and text: Reuters
The event provided a platform for drag performers in a region where LGBT people confront discrimination and financial hardship.
Image and text: Reuters
“This type of platform gives visibility to queer artists that we don’t have in our countries in Central America, where we lack institutional and government support,” said Alexa Evangelista, a drag queen from El Salvador.
Image and text: Reuters
Peppe Pig, a Guatemalan drag queen, described how drag has allowed for personal growth, travel opportunities, and forming new relationships.
Image and text: Reuters
The competition's jury weighed both the participants' performances and the audience's support in deciding the winner.
Image and text: Reuters
Nicaraguan drag queen Akeyra Davenport won the crown in her debut competition after 11 years as a drag artist.
Image and text: Reuters
“It gives me the initiative to keep moving forward, to continue pursuing one of many dreams that have left me behind,” Davenport said.