CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Over the years, the popularity of drag shows has been on the rise, especially in the Coastal Bend. The House of Rock hosted the 3rd annual Drag Show Brunch on Sunday afternoon.
Co-owner of Azul Entertainment, Isis Paris York said drag shows are a form of entertainment but for the LGBTQ+ community they mean so much more; they're an art form of expression
Chelsea Queen is a pioneer of the early drag queen shows and pride celebrations in Mesquite, Michigan. She credits her mom, Robin Gooben as her biggest inspiration, even honoring her with her drag name.
"I guess I formed Chelsea Queen like an independent woman like my mom," Chelsea Queen said. "It means a lot because she's at every show all the time."
Gooben enjoys watching Chelsea perform and hopes more people will come to the drag shows.
"To see your kids chase their dreams and have them come true is amazing," Gooben said. "I love it when other parents are here and I'm not the only parent because then it's like Yes! They get it."
From rehearsals to getting into full drag, it can take drag queens several hours to prepare for the shows.
"I'm extremely amazed at the ambition that it goes into it, the hard work the creativity and to see so many more people be accepting of it," Gooben said. "It's a very misunderstood thing, and I wish more public would be more accepting because it's an amazing art."
In attendance is Texas Jones who enjoys attending drag shows. His families' encouragement has fueled his love of drag performing.
"And so, like having my mom sit there and like help me rhinestone costumes. Helping me buying wigs for me to style, helping me giving me some of her handme down makeup," Jones said. "I'm really just so thankful for both of my parents and just my whole family because they love me support me no matter what I do."
Several of the drag queens on stage inspired Jones to continue his passion of performing as he heads to the University of Texas in Austin in the fall.
"But being able to watch Queens perform doing the art of drag is something I always wanted and it's really a full circle moment for me," Jones said.
For a list of Pride celebrations, click here.