Hear their stories (and find out how you’ve got the option to help) below.
Were all losing money, back-to-back.
So, I cant really make money off of merch, either!
VH1; Santiago Felipe/Getty Images (2); Leon Bennett/WireImage
After the coronavirus ripped through the citys nightlife sector, she sacrificed $2,500 in paid jobs throughout March.
We want to entertain.
[For many of us] this is the only way we knowhowto make money.
But, as drag queen Robyn Banks observes, theres still no stability in the market.
People are hurting themselves all the time, tripping, everyones splitting and dipping, theyre pulling hamstrings.
Theyre fighting for health insurance, because thats not guaranteed in drag.
Last year I made $10,000 at DragCon.
Ive already spent so much money getting ready for it this year.
It makes me feel desperate to figure something out.
I learned early on that knowing your brand as a club entertainer can keep you viable for many years.
The reality show [circuit] is an entirely different animal.
My reputation is built on the opinions of others who similarly do what I do.
Our queer bars are closing all the time.
What isthisgoing to do to them?
Im from a different generation where nightlifesavedmy life.
I had a space to go to.
This generation is different.
Theres so much to our subculture thats unique to us, and nightlife is such a part of that.
There is no union for drag queens.
There are no protections for us.
Theres no minimum pay, she says.
How much does a queen have to do to get the financial respect or due or benefits?
We have no health benefits.
Weve been seen as these activist clowns of the community.
Entertain me, kick down a door or two, but your value then ceases.
Well, here we are, and whos going to take care of these entertainers now?
Weve seen our incomes wiped out by this pandemic.
We have to pull our st together and help one another.
If I had to hole up for a week, I wouldnt be able to handle that.
Like West, Mortis sees drag as a tool to help rally the community in times of need.
There are so many people to count, how do you include everyone?
Were sure as st going to try.
How can you help?
Ask for an autograph with the item to make it special.
Order a personalized Cameo video and tune into virtual drag shows.
Drop a line to say ‘hi.’
For me, the support means the world.
Its all about showing up for every attempt that people create to generate other sources of revenue and work.
In that vein, necessity is the mother of invention, concludes West.
So, were going to have to figure it out.
I dont know what that answer is, but I know therewillbe an answer.
