WASHINGTON, D.C.
PONTIANNA
´
As queens parade around the bar’s lower level (the upper level is still football fan-friendly) Pontiánna, who recently started performing in Nellie's drag brunch herself, goes around filling mimosas and cocktails for birthday girls and bridal parties.
"We [drag queens] make people smile, we make people cry, but not bad tears," Pontiánna said. "We inspire people."
Pontiánna looks like she’s been performing in drag her whole life: she’s wearing booty shorts, giant hoop earrings and dark purple lipstick across her mouth, which is almost always stretched out in a grin. But it wasn’t until three months ago when she moved to the D.C. area to obtain sex-reassignment surgery that she got into drag culture.
NELLIE'S
QUEENS
If you’re looking for a place to catch the football games Sunday morning and afternoon, Nellie’s Sports Bar probably isn’t the place to be. But, if you want to forego the favorite American pastime, there’s plenty of entertainment. Every Sunday, Nellie’s hosts a brunch where guests can enjoy performances by drag queens that work at the bar.
FINDING her HOME
By Katie Pickrell
Washington, D.C., offers transitional surgery for transgender patients as part of its Medicare coverage. Pontiánna moved to the area without a safety net in order to complete her transition, which left her homeless in a city with skyrocketing rents.
"I'm still in the process of saving," Pontiánna, who just got a a job at Nellie's, said. "I tell people to be an inspiration so no one gives up on it. It happens and it takes time to get back on your feet."
Pontiánna is just one of thousands of transgender people who don’t have a place to call home each night. According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Center, it is estimated that 20 percent of transgender people either have “unstable housing or are at risk or in need of shelter services.” Pontiánna was able to stay off the streets, staying instead at Casa Ruby, a grassroots organization in the Columbia Heights neighborhood that serves as an emergency shelter and resource center for homeless people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Since finding help at Ruby's, Pontiánna has found a job and now stays with friends until she gets enough money saved up for her own place.
“This world has so much negativity, especially for a female like me walking out in the streets," Pontiánna said. "It's not always easy, so to have a group of people who are just energetic, happy and excited to be in one place and we're all happy we're all having fun, it's mind-blowing."
Dragging her way to the top
NEVEAH
By Ronaldo Moran
Every person has a start in their career. Some people do internships and grab coffee for their millionaire boss. Some go out to conferences and network with some reputable references. In D.C., some can start their career performing as a woman in a sports bar on U street.
Nevaeh, 31, is an up and coming drag queen who uses the benefits of the open-minded city to her advantage. This local queen is using the stage to open doors to her true passion, acting. She believes her talents have been in the closet for so long, but performing in drag allows her to truly unleash her talent.
“They look at me, but they don’t see the talent that I have, they don’t see what I can do.” Said Nevaeh. “Until I hit the stage and they say, ‘Oh my gosh I didn’t know you could move like that’”.
Ever since the same-sex marriage ruling in 2015, it has been much easier for people to accept drag as entertainment and a form of art. All over D.C., it is not uncommon to pass by a building with a pride flag hanging on a pole.
“It was more difficult then,” said Nevaeh. “But, I’m pretty sure it’s more comfortable now. My drag sisters, who perform at Nellie’s as well, can get a lot of gigs, they travel around cities.”
Nevaeh sees drag as more than just night entertainment. She sees it as an important part in a person’s life. Her drag will “change people’s life with her ethnic of craft”. We all see the straight people that go to drag shows, but we do not know what is happening within them. Drag not only helps the performers, but also attendees, it gives them an escape from a current situation and feelings.
