Photos: Drag queens are out, proud and loud in a string of coal towns
In red communities across America, lawmakers are pushing to restrict drag performances or LGBTQ+ rights. Yet deep in Pennsylvania coal country, The Associated Press followed for a year a family of drag performers firmly woven in the fabric of the larger community.
Members of the Daniels drag family pose for a photograph during their "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. They are, from left, Xander Valentine, aka Gwen Bobbie; Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley; Alexus Daniels, Tequila Daniels, aka Tony Nahodil, and Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley. Lawmakers in many red states are pushing to restrict drag, yet deep in Pennsylvania coal country, performers in the Daniels drag family are firmly woven in the fabric of the larger community. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels lip-syncs to "Heart of Glass" by Blondie as she sits on the lap of a smiling and consenting audience member and others take photos during the "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. Daniels, the drag family matriarch, was the child of a coal miner and textile worker who was "born with a female spirit." She works at the local hospital as an MRI aide tech. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Javon Love, right, performs with Baby Angel, doing the splits, during "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag bunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, collects tips from a cheering audience during the "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. Performances by the drag family are popular in bars, restaurants, bingo halls and garden parties in this slice of coal country even as politicians act to restrict them. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A waitress pauses with plates of food as drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, poses for a photograph taken by Ryan Geiger, right, before the "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. A petty officer first class, Kelley was named a "digital ambassador" by the U.S. Navy to do outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Tequila Daniels, aka Tony Nahodil, poses for a photograph before the "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. Tequila talks about her drag daughters, "I was lucky to befriend and become the drag mother of the most talented and humble girls I know, Harpy Daniels and Trixy Valentine. It took me a while to find someone who showed they had the drive, the talent, and still able to be humble. My goal is for everyone in the Daniels family to never forget our roots.” (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels, dressed as Dolly Parton, poses for selfie photos with audience members as she performs at "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, ties tights around their head before applying makeup, or "painting" at Washington Marriott Georgetown, in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Trixy and twin Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, are performing at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar across town. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine's eye makeup of fake lashes, rhinestones and glitter is reflected in a bathroom mirror at the Washington Marriott Georgetown, in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Trixy, aka Jacob Kelley, and twin Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, are performing at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar across town. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, in a red wig and finished makeup at the Washington Marriott Georgetown, in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Trixy and twin Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, are performing at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar across town. Kelley is an LGBTQ+ activist and educator with a masters in human sexuality. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, performs to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band during the "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. Kelley is an LGBTQ+ activist and educator with a masters in human sexuality. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, dresses in a side storage room during the sold-out "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, walks in street clothes and makeup after performing at the "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Ticket holders line up before the doors open for the sold-out "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, changes in a makeshift dressing room after performing at a "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, pauses before entering to perform her drag story mix at a "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queens Tequila Daniels, aka Tony Nahodil, left, and her drag daughter, Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, pause before entering a "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, cries in the arms of DJ Corrine after performing their drag story mix at a "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023. Trixy's emotional performance received a standing ovation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The audience gives drag queen Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, a standing ovation for their drag story mix performance at a "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag king Xander Valentine, aka Gwen Bobbie, performs "The Greatest Show" from the movie "The Greatest Showman" for the sold-out "Drag Bingo" fundraiser at the Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, in Nescopeck, Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2023, to raise money for a new roof for the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, in Berwick, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag king Xander Valentine, aka Gwen Bobbie, performs during the "Daniels Family Values" drag show at the Heritage Restaurant in Shamokin, Pa., Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, performs during the "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag brunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Sweet Pickles performs during the "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag bunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carlos Ova-Dupree performs during the "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag bunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Baby Angel, performs a "death drop" during the "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag bunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, performs during the "Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch" at the Public House, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Norfolk, Va. The drag brunch was hosted by Harpy Daniels and Javon Love. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The audience sings along and holds up cash tips for drag queen Alexus Daniels at "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cash tips are stuffed into the bustier of drag queen Kitty DeVil's, aka Emily Poliniak, as she performs at "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels, dressed as Tina Turner, is reflected in a makeup mirror as she counts tips in the dressing area during the "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, brings wigs and a suitcase full of outfits to the car after performing at "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
From left, Tequila Daniels, aka Tony Nahodil; Alexus Daniels; Kitty DeVil, aka Emily Poliniak, and Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, talk to the audience during "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels, wearing a Diana Ross T-shirt, removes makeup for the ride home after performing at "Spring Fever Drag Brunch," Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Kulpmont Winery in Kulpmont, Pa. Alexus removed makeup to pump gas without drawing unwelcome attention. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels is reflected in a mirror applying makeup, or "painting" at home in Coal Township, Pa., Saturday, May 6, 2023. Alexus is preparing for her first "Drag Storytime!" in Mt. Carmel, Pa., at the Pink Moon Collective to read "My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton" and "Coat of Many Colors" to children, family, and friends. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels reads "My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton" to children at "Drag Storytime!" in Mt. Carmel, Pa., in the garden at the Pink Moon Collective, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Alexus Daniels reads "Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton to children, their families, and friends at "Drag Storytime!" in Mt. Carmel, Pa., in the garden at the Pink Moon Collective, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Ryan Geiger holds a rainbow "Love is Love" fan as drag queens Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, left, and twin Trixy Valentine, aka Jacob Kelley, right, prepare to perform at Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka U.S. Navy Yeoman 1st Class Joshua Kelley, wraps their head and short Navy haircut in duct tape to use as an anchor for bobby pins to secure a wig to perform at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, applies hairspray before leaving the dressing area to perform at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniels, aka Joshua Kelley, mingles between songs at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queen Harpy Daniel, aka Joshua Kelley, performs at the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators reception at Pitchers and a League of Her Own bar in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Drag queens are out, proud and loud in a string of coal towns, from a bingo hall to blue-collar bars
Here, the sparkle of drag queens and kings colors a way of life rooted in soot, family and a conservative understanding of the world.
In an unprecedented display of inclusivity, drag queens took center stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
