My name is Miss Bouvee and I am a full time drag queen living and working in South Florida. On May 16, 2023, I had thousands of dollars of work lined up, or in negotiations, for various gay pride events spanning from Key West, Naples, St. Pete, and of course my homefront of Wilton Manors. Many of the gigs were on outside stages or in spaces in the open air. On May 17, SB1438 was signed into law and went into effect immediately. By May 19, all of the work was gone. This bill was not only anti drag, it was terribly transphobic.

As a result, several prides continued in the month of June without the presence of hired and professional drag performers in public forums like concert stages or as celebrity hosts. We watched while you all partied and celebrated. While many of you dressed in drag in solidarity, there was very little consideration given for the livelihood we all lost and silence we were asked to keep. We, your drag and trans community, were put back in the closet. 

I am reminded of Martin Niemoeller’s anti-nazi poem titled “First they came for.” If you are unfamiliar, it is a poem that, to paraphrase, goes like this:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
      Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
      Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
      Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

In November of 2023, SB1438 was overturned. I want to acknowledge Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando who said no, we won’t listen to this and we will fight this. I am proud to say, they did and they won! They resisted and because they did so, the conversation continued. In the end, they were on the right side of theirs, his and her-story. 

My story is one of probably 10’s of thousands across the nation in various states that enacted, or are about to enact, similar laws. But I am convinced that while these laws are not our fault, they are our responsibility to fight against. We must remember that Pride is not only a celebration, but a protest. Don’t forget that, because next year, it could be you they come for.