A local drag show is a spectacle of self-expression — bold, dazzling and unapologetically queer. Performers take the stage in outfits that range from classic elegance to wild camp, each look reflecting their unique personality.
Crowds are loud and ecstatic, waving single dollar bills and cheering with enough force to shake the walls. Within these spaces, LGBTQ+ people are celebrated and their artistry and presence are met with admiration and applause.
This year, drag performances were a highlight of Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho, proving that queer artistry is not just surviving, but thriving in the city’s cultural landscape.
The festival’s embrace of drag further cements its role as a space for creativity and resistance, where artists bring both joy and defiance to the stage.
Performers dazzled the crowd at The Balcony Club during Dragfort’s “The Glamour Revolution!” on Saturday, March 29. From burlesque to drag kings, the night was a vibrant celebration of community, joy and acceptance. Each performance captivated the audience through bold moves and striking looks.
However, one performance stood out as a powerful act of protest.
Kara Mel, draped in an American flag dress, took the stage for a strikingly patriotic piece. As the music swelled, she poured oil onto the money she had collected from the audience and ate it, an intense and visceral display of defiance against a system that values profit over people. The audience erupted in applause, a collective moment of solidarity in the face of adversity.
On Sunday, March 30, another unforgettable Dragfort event took place.
“Drag Me to Brunch” drew in the largest crowd yet, with guests packed into the Alefort Lounge like sardines, eagerly awaiting the start of the show. The stage came alive with a dazzling mix of sequins, punk vibes and even a surprise clown performance. Each act kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The show culminated in a joyous dance party to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, celebrating acceptance and love. The room pulsed with energy as everyone danced, sang and threw loose dollar bills into the air, a beautiful reminder of the sense of community and freedom that Dragfort fosters.
But as the lights dimmed and the wigs were put away, the performers stepped off the stage and into a stark reality.
Outside of this space, LGBTQ+ people in Idaho are facing yet another threat to their rights. Idaho lawmakers are pushing forward House Joint Memorial 1 (HJM 1), a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
If successful, this push could open the door for states to reinstate bans on same-sex marriage, stripping away rights that have been legally recognized for nearly a decade. While HJM 1 cannot directly change the law, it signals a growing effort to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and could embolden further attacks on queer individuals’ legal protections.
For same-sex couples in Idaho, the potential consequences are devastating.
A repeal of Obergefell could invalidate marriages, complicate parental rights, affect access to healthcare and spousal benefits and make legal protections inconsistent across state lines.
This bill serves as a stark reminder that while queer people may be celebrated in entertainment, they are still fighting for basic legal recognition in their everyday lives.
“It’s really easy to come sit down and be entertained,” says Riley Burrows, an Idaho native drag artist who performed during “The Glamour Revolution!”. “When it’s not your reputation — your safety on the line — it’s a little easier to shy away.”
Drag has long been an act of resistance, a bold reclaiming of space in a world that often tries to erase queer existence. It is art, it is protest and it is joy all at once. The painful reality, however, is that LGBTQ+ people are often only accepted when they’re making people laugh, cry or cheer.
“In terms of entertainment, the world has always piggybacked on queer people,” says Big Gay Paycen, another local drag queen who hosted “The Glamour Revolution!”. “They have the blueprint for entertainment.”
History is full of queer artists, musicians and entertainers who were revered for their talent but shunned in their personal lives. Today, drag artists face a similar paradox, celebrated in clubs but vilified in political discourse.
Yet, despite these attacks, the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight. Activists, performers and allies are refusing to back down. Protests are being organized, voices are being raised and above all, queer joy is persisting.
“I really hope audience members just feel joy and happiness and a sense of community,” Cody Pendant, an assigned female at birth drag artist who took the stage at “Drag Me to Brunch” said. ”I love the body that I have because I can just kind of shove it in people’s faces.”
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, confidence isn’t just about being seen — it’s about reclaiming space, embracing individuality and finding power in self-expression. It’s a reminder that the fight for equality is not just legal; it’s personal.
Drag is not just about performing; it’s about the hours of preparation, the meticulous crafting of looks and the personal vulnerability of stepping onto a stage where you’re fully exposed — physically and emotionally.
Each wig is styled with precision, every costume is constructed to tell a story and every makeup application is a work of art in itself. Behind the glitz and glamour is a defiant act of self-expression, a refusal to conform to societal expectations of gender and identity.
“Do what you really love to do if you know that you’re passionate about something,” said Olympia, who is almost a year into her drag career and did her first Dragfort performance at “Drag Me to Brunch”. “That is going to bring true success at the end of the day. Confidence is shown in many different ways.”
Dragfort is more than just a series of performances; it’s a vital part of Treefort Music Fest, a celebration of all that Boise stands for inclusivity, creativity and the fearless pursuit of artistic freedom.
Dragfort embodies the spirit of Treefort by providing a platform for queer artists to shine — bringing joy, defiance and community to the forefront. It stands as a reminder that Boise, with its growing cultural landscape, is better for embracing spaces where people can be unapologetically themselves without fear of judgment.
In a city that has seen its share of challenges when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, Dragfort offers a safe haven, a space where individuals can come together to celebrate not just their queerness but their humanity. It’s a testament to the power of queer spaces to cultivate love, joy and resilience.
Boise is undeniably enriched by the vibrant energy of Dragfort and its continued presence is a beacon of hope for the future — showing that when you make room for everyone, the community grows even stronger.
The show will go on — not just on the stage, but in the streets, in the courts and in every fight for equality that refuses to be silenced.
