Documentary about Tampa Bay area drag queen activists nears completion

New Florida legislation has created a new generation of activists, and a local filmmaker needs a little help telling their stories.

Since Ron DeSantis's election as Florida's governor in 2019, Republican lawmakers in the Florida Legislature have trotted out a seemingly never-ending collection of anti-LGBTQ+ laws, from bills that target drag shows to regulating bathroom usage.

In the past two years, bills like "Don't Say Day" (HB 1223), legislating drag (SB 1438), banning Pride flags from public buildings (HB 1011), and eliminating diversity programs and Critical Race Theory from college classrooms (HB 999).

Jordan Rugh is highlighting the legislation’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community and how a group of nine first-time activists from Tampa are navigating this political landscape.

At the “Drag 2 Talle” march last April, local Tampa drag queens were in attendance, like Lilith Black, Angelique Godwin, Aaron Perry Cruz and Justine B. Knights. According to Axios, notable queens and Florida natives, Roxxxy Andrews and Detox, stars of "RuPaul's Drag Race,” were also out showing their support.

Rugh’s documentary, titled “Pride & Power,” focuses on the group's march from Tampa to Florida's capital in Tallahassee to fight the restrictive legislation impacting their community.

As the documentary nears the end of its production, Rugh is hosting a fundraising gala on Sept. 27 to help support the completion of the project and encourage voter registration ahead of the 2024 November election. Location details are yet to be determined.

"This event is more than just a fundraiser," said Rugh. "Anyone who's followed the legislature here is aware of the necessity to urge for participation from all communities, not just LGBTQ+ folks."

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