Austin-based Drag Performer Brigitte Bandit is having a moment. She recently sparred with U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after lobbying in Washington, D.C. for the Equality Act and Transgender Bill of Rights, and was named Austin’s best drag performer and best activist in Austin Chronicle’s “Best of Austin” list.
We recently caught up with Bandit on drag, makeup, and her role as a queen.
How Do You See Your Role As a Drag Performer in Texas Now Compared to When You Started?
“A lot has changed, obviously, within the past five and a half years that I've been performing. Whenever I first started drag, I wasn't too worried about protesters or things that would be shared online in certain ways or any kind of far right propaganda the way that I am now.
Now my role is beyond just thinking about drag or my art. It's also a lot of advocacy work – fighting the lies of the far right as they continue to use drag queens and trans people as a scapegoat for the real issues.
People will be like, ‘What made you want to become an activist?’ And I don't think I really had a choice. I just had to show up and speak the truth. And I have to keep doing that now because of what they're doing to us.
Then obviously, it also has become a lot harder and dangerous being openly queer in Texas. I never had safety concerns before, and now I have a lot of them.”
What Advice Would You Give LGBTQ+ Kids, Kids Who Love Drag, or Kids Who Want to Do Drag in Texas?
“Queer kids are kind of what keeps me going because I want a better future for them and I want them to feel like Texas is a place where they belong and are welcomed and accepted and celebrated. I won't quit fighting for a future like that. I really hope that they can find a place and community where they feel welcomed and accepted despite everything that's happening. (I hope they) know that there's people who are fighting for them and that they belong here too.”
What Is Your Essential Austin Rule?
“I hate traffic. I would just avoid the traffic times if you can. Just stay home, do something else, find something else to do, go hit up happy hour, you know? The last thing I want to be doing is being stuck in traffic.”
Bonus Question: What Is Your Essential Makeup Rule?
“Setting spray. Don't forget your setting spray, especially in this Texas heat. You can sit there and have all your other makeup rules to make sure your makeup stays on your face. But if you don't have your setting spray, all hell breaks loose. I use Ben Nye. It's professional grade, looks like Windex, and burns a little bit, but your face isn't going anywhere.”
