4: What is your favorite part about being a drag performer in New York City specifically?
ST: The NYC scene is a world of endless possibilities! I was a drag entertainer in NYC for 5 years before moving to Phoenix about 2 years ago. While in NYC, I enjoyed there being a thriving niche for everything: horror, performance art, musical theater, draglesque, drag gogo, pageantry, side show, and every other sub genre imaginable. When it comes to concept and comedy mixes, I hold NYC in the highest regard. NYC has infinite opportunities for creative projects and shows, and sets a high standard for execution. I’m grateful that Shay They got their start in NYC, because it expanded my mind in terms of what’s possible in drag, as well as greatly pushed and polished my art.
4: Can you describe your most memorable performance and why it was so special to you?
ST: I recently got to perform a Satanic spoken word ritualistic performance art piece for Enter Esme’s Backdoor! As an active member of The Satanic Temple, I observe Hexennacht, a solemn holiday built on remembrance and resilience. On April 30th, Satanists honor those who have been victimized by pseudoscience and superstition. During the ritual, I performed a contemporary dance by candlelight and paid respect to our ancestors of rebellion by saying the names of those they tried to burn from memory: My ritual was a tribute to the legacy of Marsha P Johnson, Tony McDade, Sylvia Rivera, Dominique Rem'mie Fells, O'Shae Sibley, Monika Diamond, and many souls more. I dressed as a devil as a symbolic reclamation of the demonization of queer people. It was an incredibly spiritual performance that was very meaningful to share. There’s a lot of misconceptions about what Satanists believe, so it was powerful to publicly lead a ritual. I hope my performance piece ignites people to take action against injustice in the name of “religion” and to draw inspiration from our forerunners of freedom. Hail Thyself and Hail Satan!
4: Being a self-acclaimed "Drag Quing," how has performing in drag informed your experience growing into who you are as a trans person, if at all?
ST: My gender wouldn’t be fully realized without drag. I’m a transgender man, but in drag, I feel and am nonbinary. Shay They creates a safe space for me to express facets of my gender identity that I feel unable to channel while in “boy mode.” When people predominantly perceived me as a woman, drag was often the place where I was gendered correctly most frequently: The general public associates drag so heavily with men, that feminizing myself had a masculinizing effect! Now drag allows me to dive into gender joy, by harnessing the spirit of playing “dress up” without attaching societal expectations on my gender expression. Drag is a form of deflection, where I can wear whatever feels fun to wear, and people attribute it to my dragsona, rather than my genuine gender identity.
4: What do you hope is next in the future of drag?
ST: I hope that everyone who wants to do drag, does drag! I sincerely believe if you want to do drag, drag is for you. I hope that people embrace the validity of the full spectrum of drag: DIY drag, local drag, bedroom drag, hobbyist drag, career drag, digital drag, etc. As drag becomes more mainstream and commercialized, I hope for increased sustainability, through environmentally conscious sourcing (such as dumpster diving, second-hand shopping, and sharing) and more equitable pay. On stage, I would love to see more representation of different abilities, body types, and gender expressions.
4: What do you hope is next for Shay They?
ST: I’m working to open a cooperative nightlife venue! I believe a radical and powerful way to disrupt oppressive capitalist structures is by putting people before profits. With a non-hierarchical organization run by worker/owners, everyone has equal input into decision making and everyone reaps the financial rewards. There’s very little job security in nightlife, so I would love to help create stable, well paying jobs for positions that are often seen as expendable, such as gogo dancers, photographers, and performers, through residencies. There are also very few opportunities to build wealth in nightlife, rather than just generate cash, so it would be fulfilling to create an organization where the workers are all owners accumulating assets. I want to create a safer space for adults that centers BIPOC and transgender people that is inclusive of all, welcoming diversity in gender, race, mobility, height, weight, socioeconomic status, etc. In terms of the vibe, I’m passionate about queer performance and want to run drag, variety, and burlesque shows as well as lively dance parties. I’m also passionate about sex positive spaces and hope to host sex worker friendly fetish balls, BDSM demos, play parties, and more. Community safety is a priority for me, so harm reduction, utilizing police alternatives, and mutual aid will be the fabric of the cooperative. Queer adults deserve a playground to express themselves, build community, and have a grand old time!
4: Finally, just a silly one. You have the ability to enact one non-political law/policy - what is it?
ST: Oooo I would make September 26th a Federal Holiday honoring the release of the 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” On this day, people would be encouraged to wear costumes and observe the tradition of attending / participating in screenings of the cinematic masterpiece enacted with live shadow casts. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is my favorite movie and I draw a lot of inspiration from the campy, yet sexually charged and slightly scary, aesthetics for my drag character. I strive to live by the motto, “Don’t dream it, be it.”
ST: P.S. I am an ordained nondenominational minister available to the community - it's a dream to officiate a wedding in drag! I also delight in helping protect religious freedom by providing letters for religious accommodations, performing ceremonies and rituals, etc.