Putting in the Effort: Drag, Faith, and Authentic Belonging | Monday Invocation

International Drag Day is celebrated every year on July 16th, honoring the art of drag and its impact on LGBTQ+ culture. While drag is often seen simply as entertainment, some artists use it as a form of ministry and a way to express their faith—challenging common assumptions about what drag can be.

Today, we’ll hear from Spiritual Drag Artist, Cali Je, who shares how drag deepens her connection to God and helps her spread God’s love. Click on the video below to hear more! Not in a place where you can watch a video? Keep reading below for the written transcript!

[TRANSCRIPT]
My work with “Reading Time with the Queens” is inspired by famous Presbyterian, Fred Rogers. At the end of each episode of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, he would say, “You are a very special person. There's only one person like you, and people can like you exactly as you are.”

Fred Rogers put a lot of effort into his television program. When a child attends one of my programs with their family, I want them to see me being my authentic self so that they know that they can do the same thing. I want them to know an adult put in that effort for them, just like Mr. Rogers did for me in his unique way. Drag helps me do that in my special queer way. I mean, what says effort more than a stunning face of makeup, gorgeous hair, devastating shoes, and a fabulous outfit.

Some people might say that I'm actually being inauthentic by getting in drag, or that putting on the extra makeup and costumes precludes any potential spiritual connections.

My good friend Bonnie Violet says that part of her journey as a transgender person is as a co-creator with God. To me, there is something similar and divine about the creativity that drag requires, a creativity that I believe God gave me. God's creation of me didn't stop at my birth. God and I are both putting in the effort on this body of mine, working to change the outsides and insides every day. Being authentically me is how I fulfill my duty to show God's love to everyone I meet.

My name is Cali Je. I'm a Christian, an Episcopalian, and a Spiritual Drag Artist, I am fearfully and wonderfully created, and people can like me exactly as I am.

[END TRANSCRIPT]