Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective presents: Draglesque Bingopalooza

When CQEC came to town, some of us locals were skeptical. 

Who were these folx?  Why were they popping up now? 

After an election that left most of us on high alert - we sent out the call. Did anybody know who was behind this new collective that appeared on Instagram? 

I sat two weeks later with Eleven Boaz at Sleepyhead. Eleven is tatted from knuckle to nape - he wears screws as earrings. But there was a gentleness in him that radiated out as soon as I met him. Originally from Mississippi, Eleven landed in Chatt in 2024 and got to work - building community with the Chatt Queer Climbers. With a background in community organizing, he brings a fresh vitality to our community. 

Now - he and his board are putting their work in. Starting with community care meet ups - the collective has evolved into a multitude of events, mutual aid, and support. This past Sunday, March 23, they hosted Draqlesque Bingopalooza, a fundraising event for gender affirming care for community members.

Gathering at Barking Legs Theatre - two different worlds collided for one purpose. 

In the lobby, Veronica Day hosted bingo - readers perched on her nose. Rows of tables set down bingo tokens to compete for prizes from a Rosecomb gift card to tickets to an upcoming concert. 

In the theatre, burlesque dancers performed and auctioned off items. The crowd ranged from young to old - a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. 

All gathered here in this 100 seat theatre for one purpose- to ensure a community that is neglected, vilified, and attacked felt worthy, uplifted and supported. All the proceeds, from the bingo raffle to the auctioned off items, to the hotdogs and cocktails - went to gender affirming care for local community members. 

They met their goal and then some - and I couldn't be more proud!

I'm beyond grateful to have been included in the day - and look forward to the powerhouse of CQEC moving forward. 

Their next big event will be Transgender Day of Visibility, hosted at ClearStory Arts on April 5, 2025 from 12 PM - 5 PM ET. You should come through, meet the collective members, and purchase goods from queer vendors and artists. We’d love to see you there.