It’s Soulful and It’s Survival: A Conversation with Four Drag Artivists in the South – Available to order now.
On December 17, 2023, we talked for four hours with our favorite drag artivists in our new city of Charlotte, North Carolina: Oso Chanel, Nova Stella, Lolita Chanel, and Onya Nerves. They discussed the forces that drive their drag and activism and the issues that they’re focused on as leaders in the queer community—from immigrant rights to representation to HIV prevention and care. The title comes from their explanation of the unique power of performing drag in the South. Listening to them talk about facing down death threats and protests, on top of drag bans and anti-queer and trans bills, to transform culture, felt like a revolution in our living room. A brief excerpt of this interview comes out in Scoundrel Time in March, but the conversation in its entirety was so powerful that Freedom Tunnel Press decided to make it available, in book form, at the April 11th COUNTRY OF UNDER Book Launch & Drag Extravaganza, where these four wonders will perform. For those who can’t make the launch, it’ll be available for order here as well.