Miami is a vibrant city full of bustling nightlife — and drag entertainment is a popular cultural staple. But with a tense social and political climate due to laws passed in the last few years such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the “Protection of Children Act” passed by Florida legislators, the drag performers who make their living off performing have been forced to adapt.
“I had to shelter myself because of the target on my back as a black trans woman in South Florida,” says Miami drag performer Opal Am Rah. “But I’m not gonna allow them to keep me inside or make me go back in my shell.”
With drag performance under such scrutiny, venues have closed and performance opportunities have dried up. But Miami’s queens are focused on community and resilience, looking after one another despite the challenges. In 2025 alone, three venues closed or announced closure, including Gramps and Willy’s Neighborhood Bar in Wynwood.
But drag as a performance art, and resistance certainly didn’t start with Ru Paul.
“People don’t realize the long-embedded history… just how long drag has been around,” says University of Miami professor Barbara Hoffmann, who teaches a course on the history of drag. “It’s a very human struggle of being recognized, seen, and heard for who you are.”
