Freedom in Heels: Reclaiming Activism Through Drag

Drag began as protest, not pageantry. Freedom in Heels re-ignites that fire through a fast-moving blend of story, archive, and artistry. Veteran drag performer and community strategist Miss Barbie-Q guides the audience on a journey from ballroom floor to picket line, tracing how stilettos became weapons of visibility—and how today’s mainstream gloss has blurred that legacy.

The program swaps a live panel for curated voices: short, pre-recorded reflections from Trans and queer drag artists answering one core question—“What does reclaiming drag as resistance mean to you?” Their answers punctuate the narrative like glitter bombs, reminding us that the fight is still on.

Archival footage sourced from ONE Institute frames each segment, linking past uprisings to present battles. The finale: a live spoken-word piece by Miss Barbie-Q, equal parts love letter and rallying cry, honoring the queens, kings, and in-betweens who strutted so we could stride.

Expect history, heresy, and a high heel to the status quo. Come ready to clap, snap, and leave fired up to put the politics back in the paint.

This reading is organized by Sydney Rogers, MSW (a.k.a. Miss Barbie-Q) as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2025, presented by One Institute and located at William Grant Still Arts Center. William Grant Still Arts Center is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.