Over the past weekend, I’ve had the honour of advocating for the drag and queer communities at the University of Guelph through a TEDTALK!
As a UoG alumni of the Bachelors of Arts & Sciences program, I dedicated my last years of my undergrad to focus on research for an in-depth analysis about the working lives of drag performers internationally! (Published in
@cosmopolitanuk ) This research focused on the real life lived experiences of drag workers, and covers topics like: skills needed for work, nature of the workplace, compensation, identity and expression, and the importance of community and chosen family. Through this we will be able to push for better compensation, better working conditions/health and safety, and more support!
This talk will also be used to dissolve political threats of violence towards working drag performers, as I explain from an academic standpoint how this form of employment is no different than any other form of gig or contract work (like Uber drivers, security guards, musicians, freelance writers etc).
This research has my whole heart as the drag and queer communities have been faced with marginalization and oppression for too long now, and I am happy I am able to use my academic skillset to fight back against status quo and break patterns. To all amazing drag workers and performers around the world, this is for you ❤️
I need to give a huge thank you to my professor and rock throughout the research process
@tsasso , and our amazing research team. To my beautiful drag family
@thehouseofkameleon (
@karma_kameleon @itskamillaflores @theedianadolce @thedivajc ) for their continued support. To
@itsqueenicesis and
@_thesukidoll for this gorgeous outfit. And lastly to
@tedxguelphu &
@ted !
I love my community, and I will always continue to fight and advocate for it ❤️
Xo,
Chimaera
Outfit:
@_thesukidoll @itsqueenicesis
Hair:
@itsqueenicesis
Nails:
@shadyclawsbydevon
makeup:
@itschimaera
photo:
@thedivajc /
@itskamillaflores
location:
@uofguelph
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#drag #dragqueen #canadasdragrace #rupaulsdragrace #canada #art #workersrights #ted #tedtalks #universityofguelph #queer #2slgbtqia #guelph #ontario #hamilton
