Celebrating Women’s History Month as a Drag King

March has always been one of my favorite months. Spring is finally starting to show up, it's my birthday month, and it's also Women's History Month.

As an AFAB drag king, I've found myself thinking a lot about what this month means to me.

At first glance, some people might think drag and Women's History Month don't really have much in common. I see it differently.

Drag has always been about questioning expectations. It's about exploring identity, challenging stereotypes, and showing people that gender is far more complex than the boxes we've been taught to fit into. While drag queens often get most of the attention—and rightfully so for everything they've done for our community—drag kings have their own important place in that history.

Performing as a drag king has actually made me appreciate womanhood even more.

People sometimes assume that portraying masculinity means rejecting femininity, but that's never been my experience. Drag has given me the chance to explore masculinity while also developing a deeper appreciation for the experiences that shaped me as someone assigned female at birth. Those two things aren't in conflict. If anything, they've helped me better understand each other.

Women's History Month is also a reminder that there isn't one way to be a woman. Every woman has a different story, different strengths, and different challenges. That diversity is worth celebrating.

It's also impossible to talk about Women's History Month without recognizing that not every woman has been given the same opportunities or the same voice. Race, sexuality, disability, economic status, and so many other factors shape people's experiences. If we're going to celebrate women, we should celebrate all women—not just the ones history has traditionally chosen to highlight.

One of the things I love most about drag is its ability to tell stories. Whether it's through comedy, music, lip-syncing, or a theatrical performance, drag gives us the chance to entertain while also making people think. It creates space for conversations that might not happen otherwise.

I've watched performers use drag to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, reproductive rights, and countless other causes. Kings are part of that tradition too. One performer who immediately comes to mind is Landon Cider, whose advocacy for drag king visibility and support for Palestine has shown how powerful this art form can be beyond the stage.

As I celebrate Women's History Month this year, I'm grateful for the women who fought for the rights and opportunities many of us have today. I'm grateful for the artists who challenged expectations long before I ever stepped on stage. And I'm grateful to be part of a community that continues to push those conversations forward.

Whether you identify as a woman, celebrate the women in your life, or simply appreciate the incredible impact women have had throughout history, I hope you'll take a little time this month to reflect on their stories.

Happy Women's History Month.

Here's to the women who came before us, the ones standing beside us today, and the ones who will keep changing the world long after we're gone.