Drag Me to Boston: Drag, Race, Politics, and Economy
Supervised by: Kareem Khubchandani
Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and Studies in Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora, Tufts University
Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, Harvard University
Who I Am
Hi everyone! My name is Jayden, and I’m currently a rising sophomore at Tufts University double-majoring in International Relations and Sociology with a minor in Legal Studies. It is such a pleasure to introduce myself and join the Laidlaw Scholars Network. I am beyond excited to share my journey with you all, and I hope this can serve as a small introduction to who I am and the work I care deeply about.
I am interested in the multitude of identities that come together to shape who I am. I identify as gay, Vietnamese American, and first-generation low-income (FGLI), raised in rural Arkansas. These aspects of my identity have informed my character, shaped my goals and ambitions, and influenced my understanding of what it means to seek belonging and flourish within community. In particular, I am deeply interested in the intersection of queer identity with race, socioeconomic status, politics, and social stigmatization—and how these forces shape the ways LGBTQIA+ individuals are treated, valued, represented, and given visibility.
Project Background
My research question asks: How do drag performers of color, and Asian American drag artists in particular, navigate economic inequality, political realities, and racial identity within Boston’s drag scene?
At a time of heightened political scrutiny toward the LGBTQIA+ community, I believe it is more important than ever to prioritize visibility, care, and advocacy for marginalized voices within queer spaces—especially for those who disproportionately experience discrimination and exclusion. This summer, I will be researching drag artistry and queer performance. Drag often operates within informal economies and is rarely a financially sustaining profession; these inequalities are frequently intensified by race, class, and media representation. My research will examine how these structural forces shape access to opportunities, resources, and recognition for performers of color, with particular attention to Asian and Asian American drag artists in Boston.
Growing up in a conservative town in Arkansas, RuPaul’s Drag Race served as a beacon of affirming representation for me as a low-income queer Asian American raised in a strict heteronormative environment. After moving to Boston and becoming more involved with drag communities beyond television, I became increasingly interested in the deeper complexities of race, class, politics, and culture that shape drag performance and queer artistic spaces.
Methodology
To prepare for my project, I will be working under the mentorship of Kareem Khubchandani, Associate Professor of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and Associate Professor of Studies in Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora at Tufts University. Under his guidance, I will conduct literature reviews of scholarly books and articles while also engaging directly with Boston-based drag performers through interviews centered on their racial, economic, political, and personal experiences. I believe that creating meaningful and sustainable impact within queer communities requires listening to people’s lived realities firsthand to understand both the vulnerabilities and resilience that shape their experiences.
I continue to be inspired by the drag community’s openness, creativity, care, and transformative artistry, not only in the performances they create, but also in the ways they foster healing, empowerment, and connection for both performers and audiences alike.
Alongside my research, I am also volunteering with Verna Felton, a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports aspiring LGBTQIA+ drag artists by providing resources, opportunities, mentorship, and safe spaces connected to the transformative art of drag. I have the incredible opportunity to work alongside founder Scottie Gage on social media outreach, event volunteering, the organization’s monthly newsletter, and the development of a mentorship program for emerging drag artists.
Objectives
One of the core values guiding my work is empathy. As a young gay Asian American inspired by drag artistry myself, this research is deeply personal as it reflects my own identity, aspirations, and experiences. I am eager to continue learning, listening, and growing through this work. My identity has always been central to my curiosities, ambitions, and sense of purpose. At a time when identity itself has become increasingly politicized, I hope to be a source of visibility, vulnerability, and empowerment in spaces that have not always made room for people like me to fully live and flourish.
Through this research, I hope to practice compassion, creativity, and intentional leadership while contributing to conversations surrounding queer identity, performance, representation, and community care. I would love to welcome feedback or connections with anyone interested in drag performance, queer studies, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, or related conversations surrounding identity, culture, and social change. Please feel free to email me at jayden.tran@tufts.edu. I hope to connect with you soon and look forward to sharing this transformative experience with you all!