Drag queens, nowadays continues to be a rather delicate and disrespected subject around the world. One more case is that of the twin’s Oscar and Tiffany.
Despite the popularity of drag culture in Miami and its role in the city’s LGBTQ+ community, drag queens still face discrimination and marginalization from some members of the community and society at large. This photo will explore the experiences of drag queens in Miami, highlighting the challenges they face and the ways in which they are working to overcome them.
In this photo essay, we meet Tifanny, a transgender drag queen performer. Tiffany emigrated from Colombia with her gay twin brother Oscar, since in their country of origin they were rejected and discriminated against. Today, they are the successful artists of acrobatic salsa, performing at different clubs and theaters in South Florida. They have also participated in national competitions and network television.
Tiffany’s work as a drag performer is the main source of income for the family. The restrictions being proposed nationwide and locally by Governor DeSantis puts that income in jeopardy.
A drag queen is a person, usually male, who uses drag clothing and makeup to imitate and often exaggerate the female gender for entertainment purposes. Tiffany is a Colombian drag queen dancer, who came to the US with the dream of success.Accentuated and exaggerated makeup with the combination of elegant and extravagant clothes is a trademark of Drag Queen performers.Before a drag show starts, there is a whole preparation process. From insecure person, some of them try to cover their insecurities, with the aim of demonstrating the opposite on the dance floor with a confident personality.Palace is one of the few restaurants in Miami, focused on the LGTB community, Drag queens, and transsexuals among many more, this was one of the places that opened the doors to these two incredible artists.Tiffany and Óscar have the purpose of showing that they are the champions of salsa drag with acrobatics, they have triumphed in the Philippines, Dubai, Panama, and more countries that have witnessed their talent.There are different types of drag queens. those who do this as a pastime and those who earn their livelihood to feed their family. That is the case of these twins, who perform every day to be able to pay the bills of their entire family, who rejected them since the beginning.The restaurant has a welcome atmosphere, everyone who works there welcomes you with a smile and good energy. That makes your visit an unforgettable experience.Tiffany and her brother, Oscar, have had a very difficult past. Latin America, has been slow to develop and accept this new genre of art. At the age of 15, they were rejected by their family in Colombia.The purity of the energy and the confidence that they transmit are two feelings of the many to see drag queen performances.Drag is a way of life that allows them to express themselves in ways they never could before. It is a form of self-expression that is unapologetically bold and beautiful. In a world where conformity is often the norm, drag queens celebrate individuality and creativity.
Giulia Barbieri is a senior majoring in Digital Journalism with an area of concentration in International Relations and Political Science. Currently, she is an Editorial Reality intern at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.
Pia Cevallos is a student of Digital Communication and Interactive Media at Florida International University. She enjoys meeting new people, being in constant learning of social media strategies, and has a good relationship with the camera. Her main goal is to become a content creator or social media manager in the fashion industry.
Arianna Otero is a student studying Digital Journalism with a concentration in Political Science. Some of her interests include video games, pop culture, and music. After graduation, she wishes to continue her career in journalism focusing on politics and radio.
