Elech, Cincinnati’s queer "Jew-ish" community organization, will hold their second-annual Purim drag showcase this March.
Event organizers said in a press release that Purim, the annual commemoration of the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia, traditionally features raucous parties where men have dressed up as women for generations. Elech co-founder Elliot Draznin said in a press release that their re-interpretation of this tradition will feature a "survival" themed drag show, titled “Glitter, Graggers and Glam.”
“That’s over 2,000 people who are navigating these challenges of intersectional identities,” said Draznin. “But we also believe this is an undercount because many LGBTQ youth and adults are stuck in the closet, especially because of anti-LGBT legislation.”
One piece of legislation cited in the press release includes House Bill 68, which bans access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The law includes a grandfather clause that would allow youth who are already receiving care to continue treatment. Gender-affirming care for adults in the state was at risk after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a set of proposed administrative rules for some adults seeking care, but Ohio’s Department of Health and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services both issued revised proposals in February after receiving thousands of comments from the public in opposition. HB 68 goes into effect on April 23.
Event organizers said in a press release that Purim, the annual commemoration of the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia, traditionally features raucous parties where men have dressed up as women for generations. Elech co-founder Elliot Draznin said in a press release that their re-interpretation of this tradition will feature a "survival" themed drag show, titled “Glitter, Graggers and Glam.”
“It’s a really tough time to be both Jewish and Queer,” Draznin said in the press release. "Our community is under attack on both sides, just for being who we are wanting to live as our full selves.”
According to the press release, a 2019 study commissioned by the Cincinnati Jewish community showed that 12% of greater Cincinnati’s 18,900 “Jewish households” included a person who identifies as LGBTQ.
“That’s over 2,000 people who are navigating these challenges of intersectional identities,” said Draznin. “But we also believe this is an undercount because many LGBTQ youth and adults are stuck in the closet, especially because of anti-LGBT legislation.”
One piece of legislation cited in the press release includes House Bill 68, which bans access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The law includes a grandfather clause that would allow youth who are already receiving care to continue treatment. Gender-affirming care for adults in the state was at risk after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a set of proposed administrative rules for some adults seeking care, but Ohio’s Department of Health and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services both issued revised proposals in February after receiving thousands of comments from the public in opposition. HB 68 goes into effect on April 23.
Eric George Tauber is a local theater artist who wrote the script for "Glitter, Graggers and Glam."
“Purim has long been my favorite Jewish holiday," Tauber said. "The theatricality of it speaks to me as a thespian. My years in touring Children’s Theatre really impressed on me that young audiences don’t want to just sit and passively watch a show. The shows that they really gobble up are the ones in which they get to be a part of the action. The Purim Spiel, which includes audience reactions, speaks to that child in all of us."
“Purim has long been my favorite Jewish holiday," Tauber said. "The theatricality of it speaks to me as a thespian. My years in touring Children’s Theatre really impressed on me that young audiences don’t want to just sit and passively watch a show. The shows that they really gobble up are the ones in which they get to be a part of the action. The Purim Spiel, which includes audience reactions, speaks to that child in all of us."
Admission to “Glitter, Graggers and Glam” is free. The event kicks off at Urban Artifact's Radio Artifact soundstage in Northside on March 16 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
