Join us at STAND UP IN DRAG tonight at 8pm!
A night of drag and all proceeds go to Stand Up Placer! They do great things, and help people in need. Want to learn more? You can!
It just so happens the incredible organizer of tonight’s Stand Up for Drag, Kyle Ketsdever, answered some questions.
Read, enjoy, and we’ll see you tonight!
Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions Kyle. Can you let everyone know what Stand Up Placer offers the local community?
Stand Up Placer is a local non-profit agency that assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Placer County. We offer free services to all survivors of DV/SA/HT regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, age, class, religion, sexual or romantic orientation. Survivors of all backgrounds are able to access our services free of cost. Our services include a 24/7 Crisis Line (1.800.575.5352), a 90-day emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, financial coaching, legal services including assistance with restraining orders, and therapy services (both one-on-one and support groups).
How long have you been with Stand Up Placer?
I have been with Stand Up Placer since June of 2017 and I have loved every minute of it. I feel so lucky to be growing with an agency that assists so many people in our community. It is also incredible to be a part of such a supportive and accepting agency that is willing to put on an event like Stand Up in Drag.
What do you hope people learn tomorrow at Stand Up in Drag?
I hope that people leave realizing that there are survivors in the LGBTQ+ community and that there are specific forms of abuse that are used within and against this community. At the same time, I really hope people also just have a lot of fun and leave with a new love for drag as well. A lot of awareness events can be very heavy and emotional, so we wanted to do something more lighthearted and fun to culminate Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
A drag show to help raise awareness is such a fantastic idea! Where did you come up with it?
Drag has become a big part of my life, both as an observer and as a performer, so I think it's just naturally starting to follow me wherever I go. The benefit show for Sierra College is actually where I started drag for the first time, so for me drag has always been tied in with promoting a cause. I wish I could take credit for the idea, but two of my co-workers actually came up with it and thought it sounded like something I should put together. I took the idea and ran with it! And I'm so thankful that there are amazing venues like Blacktop Comedy who are so down to support the cause as well!
What makes a drag show fun?
They just are! It's so hard to describe. For me, I think it totally depends on the drag performers. Drag is fun! And if the performer is having a great time, that translates to the audience having a great time. Drag is so liberating, freeing from standards and expectations, that I think it it's hard not to enjoy it.
What was the best Drag show you have ever seen?
I think the best would have to be when I saw Alaska 5000 perform at Badlands. It was the first show I got to see once I turned 21 and could get into clubs. It was also my first time seeing a RuPaul's Drag Race girl live. I did the meet and greet after the show and it was just such a fun time. So I think that one definitely holds a place in my heart. I love seeing local girls perform as well though! The local queens in the Sacramento area have such amazing talent and I love to go see them perform too!
What are you most excited about for tomorrow's drag show?
I'm very excited to be collaborating with some amazing local performers. I think that there is going to be a lot of heart in that room and a lot of people who genuinely care. Drag has its roots in liberation movements and drag queens were seen as community leaders and organizers. I think it's great to have performers that genuinely care about a cause and want to use their talents to spread light and shine awareness on an issue. To me, drag is social justice, and this really illuminates that.
If someone wants to help, but can't make the show tomorrow, how can they get involved with Stand Up Placer?
There are tons of ways to get involved. They can follow our Facebook page to stay up to date with other events that we are doing. If they are interested in volunteering, they can e-mail volunteercoordinator@standupplacer.org. There are tons of ways to volunteer, whether directly with survivors or otherwise. Our thrift store is always in need of volunteers to help out with all of the amazing donations we receive. With the holidays coming up, we're starting to gear up for our holiday toy drive - so donating to that is another incredible way to get involved.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I always wrack my brain on this question - there's so many great options. But for the sake of drag I would have to say the ability to change my appearance. It can take quite a while to get into full drag and a superpower to help out with that would be amazing!
What's something you know now, that you wish you knew 10 years ago?
I wish ten years ago I knew that I would grow up to be doing drag! I think it would have answered a lot of the questions that I had as a 14 year old and definitely helped me bust down some closet doors sooner.