Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Blanche DuBois holds up a pride flag cape at the Spicy Seventies Disco Drag Show, sponsored by the Saluki Rainbow Network and the Office of Student Engagement, Feb. 19, 2022 at the SIU Student Center in Carbondale, Ill.

Disco drag show dominates Saluki ballroom

By William Box, News Editor
February 21, 2022
Image provided to the Daily Egyptian by Blanche DuBois.

Local drag queen shares their 40 year long career story

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2020
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, its 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. Im excited to eventually be able to hit a stage again and feel somewhat normal. Ive been on stage a couple of times and it just hasnt been the same. [...] Seriously its kind of like feeling like a bird in captivity, said Jewls.

Queens and kings in quarantine: Local Drag performers adapt to COVID-19 regulations

By Sara Wangler, Staff Reporter
October 1, 2020
Peyton Kross, of Little Rock, Arkansas, takes a selfie while in the character of Lady Boi on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, during a break in the Golden Gays Drag Show in the Student Center. Right now is our time to be as loud as possible, Kross said. Whenever someones oppressing you or bullying you, you dont get scared and cower in a corner. You fight back or youre not going to get anywhere. So right now with the concerns and fears that are circulating, it really is our time to be as bold and as crazy and as statement-making as possible. Thats why I have giant neon yellow hair on right now. (Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms)

Gallery: Drag show colors the night

By Morgan Timms, Anna Spoerre and Athena Chrysanthou
February 26, 2017
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