Navajo drag queens from across Dinetah came together in Window Rock, Arizona, on Dec. 14 to celebrate Christmas and raise money for scholarships. Drag shows have become more popular on the Navajo Nation over the years, and since 2018, Diné Pride has hosted LGBTQ+ events in Indian Country with the goal of “honoring & celebrating our LGBTQ+ relatives.” More than 200 people attended the Diné Pride Christmas Drag Show Benefit. This year’s theme was “Red and Turquoise.” For 53-year-old Paige Smith, the show had special significance: It marked the first time her mother and sister had ever seen her perform. All proceeds went to the Diné Pride LGBTQ+ Youth Scholarship Fund.

Jolene Yazzie is an editorial intern at High Country News. Email us at editor@hcn.org.  Follow @joleneyazzie

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Enjoy a front-row seat at Diné Pride’s Christmas drag show

by Jolene Yazzie, High Country News
December 25, 2019

<h1>Enjoy a front-row seat at Diné Pride’s Christmas drag show</h1> <p class="byline">by Jolene Yazzie, High Country News <br />December 25, 2019</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag1-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69171" data-id="69171" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag1.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Nova Martini, Jade Martini and Tomahawk Martini, all members of Blackout ABQ, get ready for the Diné Pride Christmas Drag Show Benefit. The eight girl group traveled from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Window Rock, Arizona, to headline the event.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag10-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69172" data-id="69172" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag10.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Performers help each other prepare for their sets.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag11-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69173" data-id="69173" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag11.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Leslie Lewinsky puts on an open-toe heel between her performances.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag12-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69174" data-id="69174" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag12.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Chanel Ticey dances into the crowd during her performance.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag13-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69175" data-id="69175" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag13.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Chanel Ticey models her jewelry and makeup backstage.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag14-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69176" data-id="69176" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag14.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Blackout, Tomahawk Martini, Avery Taureaux, Nova Martini and Jade Martini close the show with a dance to “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag15-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69177" data-id="69177" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag15.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Paige Smith applauds at the end of the Diné Pride Christmas Drag Show Benefit.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag2-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69178" data-id="69178" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Chanel Ticey wraps her hair in duct tape before putting on a wig.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag3-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69179" data-id="69179" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Backstage, Nova Martini steam-straightens a long blond wig.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag4-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69180" data-id="69180" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Té Diamond, Miss Apache Diva 2018-2019, poses before the show. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag5-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69181" data-id="69181" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag5.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Emcee Mattee Jim dabs the sweat from her face as she wraps her moccasins. It takes time to wrap the deer hide tightly so that it doesn’t unravel on stage.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag6-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69182" data-id="69182" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag6.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Chanel Ticey and Paige Smith prepare for the show. Smith has been performing in drag shows for almost three decades.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag7-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69183" data-id="69183" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag7.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Paige Smith poses in a dim light on a closed-curtain stage. Smith, the oldest performer here, identifies as Two Spirit.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag8-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69184" data-id="69184" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag8.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Leslie Lewinsky lip-synchs on stage.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure> <img alt="dinexmasdrag9-jpg" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-69185" data-id="69185" src="https://country-survey-collabs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dinexmasdrag9.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Jade Martini lies on the stage after a dramatic drop during her performance.</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p> <a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><br /> <a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><br /> <a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </p></div> </p></div> <p>Navajo drag queens from across Dinetah came together in Window Rock, Arizona, on Dec. 14 to celebrate Christmas and raise money for scholarships. Drag shows have become more popular on the Navajo Nation over the years, and since 2018, Diné Pride has hosted LGBTQ+ events in Indian Country with the goal of “honoring &amp; celebrating our LGBTQ+ relatives.” More than 200 people attended the Diné Pride Christmas Drag Show Benefit. This year’s theme was “Red and Turquoise.” For 53-year-old Paige Smith, the show had special significance: It marked the first time her mother and sister had ever seen her perform. All proceeds went to the Diné Pride LGBTQ+ Youth Scholarship Fund.</p> <p><em>Jolene Yazzie is an editorial intern at<span> </span></em><span>High Country News. </span><i><span>Email us at <i><span style="font-weight: 400"><a href="mailto:editor@hcn.org">editor@hcn.org</a>. </span></i> </span></i><i><a href="https://twitter.com/joleneyazzie" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large">Follow @joleneyazzie</a></i></p> <p>// </p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://country-survey-collabs.info/articles/indigenous-affairs-enjoy-a-front-row-seat-at-dine-prides-christmas-drag-show/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://country-survey-collabs.info Country News&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;quality=100&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;&lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://country-survey-collabs.info/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=95894&amp;amp;ga4=G-0NS3WVPPTN&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://country-survey-collabs.info/articles/indigenous-affairs-enjoy-a-front-row-seat-at-dine-prides-christmas-drag-show/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/hcn.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</p> Copy to Clipboard

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