Today, Sunday, March 21st is #WorldDownSyndromeDay, and to mark the occasion Queerguru wants to share some videos from the rather wonderful Drag Syndrome Group. 

They are an amazing underground drag troop in the UK that features drag queens with Down’s Syndrome. These drag queens and kings were brought together in 2018 by choreographer Daniel Vais, to provide a platform for performers with learning disabilities and to challenge stereotypes. These outspoken performers with Down’s syndrome are creating a stir on the drag scene, even though they have received criticism along the way.  When they were about to perform in the US for the first time in Grand Rapids Michigan Peter Meijer, then a Republican candidate for Congress and the owner of the venue, canceled their performance. He wanted to protect people with Down syndrome from being “exploited” onstage.

The members of Drag Syndrome don’t feel exploited, and they’ve said as much. In a video posted to social media, drag king Justin Bond told the world, “We deserve to do what we want with our lives, and to give ourselves more power.”  “We’re going to continue doing it whether you like it or not,” Otto Baxter, better known as Horrora Shebang, told the New York Times.

 

“Drag Syndrome is a drag troupe like no other. Drag is about transformation. It’s about freedom of expression. But Drag Syndrome goes a step further – its talented artists broaden our horizons with their creativity and effortlessly disarm the audience with their profound love of life.” writes Nicholay Nickolov in Mashable.

You can follow them on Instagram and https://www.dragsyndrome.com/