A Stage for Change: Drag Night Namibia’s Deyonce is Redefining Trans Visibility
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Known on stage as Queen Cleopatra, Deyonce is Drag Night Namibia’s first proudly transgender performer (All photos courtesy of Drag Night Namibia)
Drag Night Namibia, a sanctuary for Namibia’s LGBTIQ+ community and allies, has become much more than a stage for extraordinary drag performances. It’s a platform for advocacy, visibility, and the celebration of diverse expressions and identities.
Established in March 2021 by Rodelio Lewis, known as Mavis Dash, and Namibian pop icon and internationally recognised LGBTIQ+ ally Liz Ehlers, the event has grown into a vibrant space that attracts audiences of over 150 people from diverse backgrounds.
Recently, Drag Night Namibia broke new ground by welcoming its first transgender performer, Deyonce / Naris, into its ranks. Known on stage as Queen Cleopatra, Deyonce’s inclusion challenges societal misconceptions and amplifies the visibility of transgender individuals in Namibia.
“Drag is invigorating,” says Deyonce. “You get to be someone else outside of yourself, and in those moments, you can be unapologetically authentic, even though some drag spectators don’t necessarily comprehend the reality of a trans identifying woman being allowed to participate.”
Her journey into drag reflects a desire to demystify the distinction between identity and expression. “Drag is a form of expression, while identity is integral to understanding oneself,” the 35-year-old performer and activist explains. “Through identity, we can express authentically.”
Trans Visibility: A Milestone for Namibia’s Drag Scene
Deyonce’s inclusion has not only diversified Drag Night’s roster but has also expanded its cultural and artistic horizons. Breaking away from Western-influenced pop-centric drag, Queen Cleopatra draws inspiration from her African heritage.
Her performances, which feature authentic African music, traditional attire, and cultural elements like umqombothi (traditional African beer), pay homage to icons such as Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, and Namibian stars like Lady May.
“I balance my activism and my art through Cleopatra,” says Deyonce. “Once she’s on stage, she’s fierce. As the visibility of drag grows, so does the visibility of trans identities. It’s vital to debunk myths and foster an environment where both can thrive together.”
Her inclusion also addresses historical tensions within drag culture about who can participate. “RuPaul’s Drag Race struggled with this, but Drag Night Namibia understands the beauty, fun, and political roots of drag,” Deyonce remarks.
Advocacy Through Art
Drag Night Namibia has become an important platform for queer expression and activism, during a tumultuous time within the country’s queer rights movement. While the courts have made landmark rulings, there’s also been a rise in deadly hate crimes and the passage of anti-queer bills by legislators.
Liz Ehlers, co-founder of Drag Night Namibia, highlights the profound impact of Deyonce’s presence. “The importance of having trans performers in our collective is monumental. It affirms inclusivity within our community,” Ehlers says.
She adds, “We are honoured to be able to sit in [Deyonce’s] company because she has gone through a lot, she’s experienced a lot, and she has educated us vastly. She’s introduced new languages to us that we were not formerly familiar with; the languages of trans inclusivity and triumph.”
Balancing Personal and Public Life
Off-stage, Deyonce is also a devoted mother of three in a supportive partnership. She comments that she’s often faced with curiosity about her role as a transgender parent.
“The question around my kids is quite a delicate one. In my early days I put so much of myself, and the kids’ lives out there without considering the impact it would have on them, and boy did it, from being bullied to having to answer questions no child should,” she says.
“Also, I don’t understand the obsession with asking trans parents whether the children they have is biological. Are we than suggesting that you can only be a parent through biological conception therefore all other persons that become parents through fostering and or adopting are lesser parents?”
Deyonce reflects that her life journey has been a “rollercoaster”, revealing that her family struggled to accept her authentic self. “I mean from coming out at 15 and not talking to my mom for a good 10 years because we could not agree on my identity, but also, as I journeyed further, understanding that my parents also didn’t know how to raise a trans child and were facing their own levels of stigma and discrimination from the world.”
She spent a short time engaging in survival sex work, before getting involved in activism. Her role today as a visible trans woman and activist continues to have its challenges.
“In the last couple of years, being a face for the trans and gender diverse community as well as the sex worker community, there have been increased threats and harassment towards me as a person.” She cites incidents in which she experienced denial of service, being attacked by a taxi driver and being called anti-LGBTIQ+ slurs. “Being trans is an occupation…” she muses.
Deyonce’s partner, while choosing to remain out of the spotlight, fully backs her activism and artistry. “I tend not to engage in these types of activities, like speaking to media cause my future wife does well at it,” he says, “but I also never want to take away from her shine.”
Towards a More Inclusive Future
Deyonce’s trailblazing role at Drag Night Namibia paves the way for other transgender individuals to step into the drag spotlight, fostering greater understanding and acceptance.
Her performances are more than entertainment—they are a celebration of African identity, a platform for advocacy, and a testament to the power of visibility.
In a world often defined by division, Drag Night Namibia stands as a beacon of unity, expression, and inclusivity, with Deyonce / Naris leading the charge. Through her art and activism, she continues to inspire and educate, proving that the lines between identity and expression can not only be crossed but celebrated.
Article by Ziggy Porsche #Eixas, a trans-identifying activist from Windhoek, Namibia who volunteers as a psychosocial support counsellor at Lifeline/Childline Namibia. They recently founded a CSO called EquiMind Namibia with a mandate to offer robust and comprehensive mental health support to the gender and sexual minorities.
This article was made possible with the support of the Other Foundation. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Other Foundation. www.theotherfoundation.org.
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