We already knew that the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba would not only be through diplomatic means. After the visit of athletes, academicians, artists, religious leaders and students, precisely on December 31, 2016 U.S. drag queen Mimi Imfurst came to Havana to confirm that once the door has been opened, no one waits to enter.
The performance given by Mimi, a participant in the U.S. RuPaul’s Drag Race television show, was the first presented by a U.S. drag queen on the island. It was arranged with El Divino, a project sponsored by the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX) for the promotion of health in the group of MSM (men who have sex with other men), in addition to creating recreational spaces for the LGBTI community in Cuba.
Through the ALandChuck.travel agency, specializing in organizing cruises and vacations for gay persons, Mimi Imfurst brought to Havana a small show in which Cuban dancers took part. On her official Facebook page she described her experience as follows:
“On December 31st- New Year’s Eve, I was honored to be the first American Drag Queen to ever perform in Cuba. The moment was incredible. I met with El Proyecto Divino which is the Cuban Government LGBT organization- led by Mariela Castro. The organization connected me with 8 amazing dancers and a short 90 minute rehearsal to put this together.
“They didn’t speak any English and I only speak a little Spanish, so it was very difficult. Not to mention that they had never heard of Madonna’s Express Yourself. Challenges aside, it was an incredible moment for Cuban and U.S. LGBT relations. I hope we can continue bridging the gap between us and become aware that we have much to learn from each other.”
In the magazine Out Traveler – the monthly gay magazine with the biggest circulation in the United States – Mimi Imfurst said that the trip to Cuba changed her life: “I arrived to experience Cuba’s rich history and culture, living in their homes and spending the week disconnected from the outside world. Even more important, the Cuban people are incredible. They have fought through a strict embargo and have prospered with just the tenacity of the human spirit. That is inspiring for all of us and at the end of the day that is what will always win out.”
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According to this publication, this year Mimi will produce Drag Stars at Sea, a show of drag queens on board the Celestyal Crystal cruise ship, in which some 20 drag queen contestants in the RuPaul’s Drag Race, among others, will be inserted, and which is previewed to conclude in Havana in late 2017 “with a massive fiesta”.
Mimi Imfurst is 33 years old and her name is Braden Chapman. She had to recover from a turbulent childhood, in which she was discriminated against and abandoned by her family for being gay. She began performing as a drag queen when she was almost an adolescent. At present she is very popular in the United States and has participated in several TV programs and a great many shows. For January 27 and 28 she announced her performance in the musical Dragapalooza, in which she will join famous drag queens in Los Angeles, California.
In Cuba, drag queen shows have gradually gained visibility and acceptance, as well as the Cuban LGBTI community, a group that has suffered discrimination, homophobia and censorship. It wasn’t until the 1990s that institutional spaces like El Mejunje, in Santa Clara, opened their doors to them.
Names like Imperio, Margot, Chantal and Roxy Rojo no longer are completely ignored on the island. In fact, since 2012 several of the most recognized Cuban drag queens have obtained the category of Professional Artist, granted by the National Council of Scenic Arts.
The participation in the Galas against Homophobia that boosted by CENESEX have been carried out in Cuba since 2008, have contributed to bringing to light an artistic and sociocultural manifestation that was created and developed on the margins of a patriarchal and homophobic society.
