I wanted to talk about day 3 of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Field of Vision Festival, which was drag day.
As a trans person, it meant so much to me, to see so many cis-normative people experimenting with drag and gender expression for the first time (i had 3 different amab people ask me for help with their makeup while I was in the drag booth on drag day doing my own, and telling me this was their first time doing it) and I can genuinely say, I’ve never felt less “othered” in a crowd than i did that night. I felt safe, seen, and i was so proud of my gizz community, and it was amazing to see all the musicians in drag in solidarity 💖 btw, I did big makeup the whole weekend, not just drag night, and no one looked at me weird or refused to interact with me. I actually met a lot of cis people who didn’t care about my presentation or treat me any different, and most people gendered me correctly off the bat and checked my pronouns to verify 🥰
To those who don’t follow KGLW, and maybe don’t know why they would be involved in drag or trans rights; KGLW has been in drag themselves to protest antitrans laws and rhetoric at multiple shows, esp in red states. they have modeled firsthand for their fans that it’s okay and safe, that they are safe and care about their fans. I bought an official pin from them this past weekend that’s their lizard logo carrying the (fully inculsive) pride flag (and they donated all proceeds to a local charity that helps 2SLGBTQIA+ in rural colorado). They have used their platform to foster acceptance within their community, and it’s really made a difference to see a band i care about do so, and it’s also clear to me other fans have taken it to heart and tried to spread more acceptance and love. using your platform to spread love and acceptance like this, in a time of so much fear and hatred that we face, is important, and i wish i saw more famous people doing it.
Thank you to KGLW, Field of Vision, and to the swarm/my fellow gizzheads. I felt the love, and I want y’all to know I love you too 💖🏳️⚧️