It’s A Drag to Give returns to bring the gayest of holiday cheers to Downtown Long Beach

After a five-year hiatus, the queer-meets-philanthropy celebration that is It’s a Drag to Give is back in all its campy, glam, fierce glory come Saturday, Dec. 7. The main point? To raise money for the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, One Step Away, and Long Beach Pride. The other, rightfully worthy point? To watch community members from all walks of life—queer, straight, non-binary, business-centric, art-inclined, it doesn’t matter—hop into drag and give the performances of the season.

Even more, It’s a Drag to Give is a truly family affair, where matriarch Rocio Rached and her son and daughter, Isa Rached and Josie Quiroz, opted to gather together in the name of their business and salon, The B Room, and celebrating the queer community.

You betta werk: The beautiful history behind It’s a Drag to Give

The first It’s a Drag to Give was back in 2015. And it wasn’t at the Pacific Ballroom at the Convention Center—where it would eventually draw some 600 spectators—nor was it even intended to be at The Breakers, the first place it was held. It was meant to be at The B Room, the barber and spa space in DTLB owned by Isa, Josie, and Rocio.

“We were going to have it right in here because we didn’t think much of it,” Isa said. “But as we started organizing more, with more businesses and people wanting to be involved, we realized we needed more space. I know it’s the Fairmont now, but back in 2015, the Breakers building had these big ballroom spaces toward the back.”

Isa’s right: The entrance to the Sky Room, flanked on the western side of the building, took you down a long hall adorned with red and gold carpet and chandeliers. To your right would be giant doors that opened to various event spaces—and that is where It’s a Drag to Give began.

What It’s a Drag to Give represents is all about something quite simple: feeling seen.

“As a gay man, as a person of color, there’s always the idea that you aren’t quite seen,” Isa said. “I’ve grown and I’ve become more comfortable iwth myself, but that’s because of the community that’s been built around me. So I say what I’ve always said about It’s a Drag to Give: It has become a cherished event in Long Beach because it connects the community through creativity, compassion, and courage. This event gives first-time drag performers a chance to step into the spotlight, all while helping to fund nonprofits that uplift our community. Bringing it back? One of the best feelings ever.”

And with that, everyone from the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Austin Metoyer (taking on Beyoncé) to former DTLB small business owner and homeless advocate Gio Ferraro (channeling Justin Bieber and returning this year) are returning. Partnering this year with White Rabbit Productions, the current list of performers include:

• Eddy Vasquez (Drag name: Evey)
• Sean Jones (Drag name: Ava)
• Zoe Gonzalez (Drag name: Zoe, pronounced like “Joe”)
• Assaf Weinberg, Long Beach Pride Race Director and the Long Beach Santa Speedo Run (Drag name: Aviva Hilton)
• Isa Rached, Owner of the B Room and It’s a Drag To Give Co-Founder (Drag name : Ariola Grande)
• Gio Ferraro, Long Beach Homeless Services and Film Maker “The Queer Room” (Drag name: Justin Betweenher)
• Brent Dennis (Drag name: Sparky Rae Creation)

And, Isa promises, two surprise performance you won’t want to miss.

All the info you need to know about this year’s performance.

This year’s It’s a Drag to Give will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7PM at Altar Society in Downtown Long Beach, located at 230 Pine Ave. Tickets are available here. Ticket sales and tips will benefit nonprofits One Step Away, Long Beach LGBTQ Center, and Long Beach Pride.