Local drag queen shares their 40 year long career story By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter November 17, 2020
Queens and kings in quarantine: Local Drag performers adapt to COVID-19 regulations By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter October 1, 2020
Love done differently: Carbondale celebrates Pride amid the pandemic By Ana Luiza Jacome, Staff Photographer June 28, 2020
Meet Carbondale’s royal family: Members of the drag community share their stories By Kallie Cox, Staff Reporter February 25, 2019
![Drag king performer, Faim Lee Jewls, sits for a portrait on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in Murphysboro, IL. Jewls, the lone drag king in the southern Illinois region, says he is celebrating his 15th year as a drag king. "Performing for me has always been a release, it's always been something that I could be a little bit more open about who I am. Rather than just everyday normal things I would be doing," Jewls said. "It also gives me a sense of purpose, for the community as well. I do interact with youth groups. My title that I hold for Southern Illinois Pride is held by the Rainbow cafe youth center for all the kids in the area." The drag community in Southern Illinois has been affected by the series of cancellations due to COVID-19 cancelling all planned drag shows. Drag shows in Carbondale and surrounding areas are commonplace events that occur regularly. "I'm excited to eventually be able to hit a stage again and feel somewhat normal. I've been on stage a couple of times and it just hasn't been the same. [...] Seriously it's kind of like feeling like a bird in captivity," said Jewls.](https://dailyegyptian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/RGB-2-601x900.jpg)
