With over 20 years of experience, renowned drag queen Jewels Long Beach continues to use the art of drag as both a means of expression and a form of advocacy, using her platform to help those who may not have a chance to have their voices highlighted otherwise.
Jewels began performing in drag at 18 years old after moving to Long Beach, starting out at the Art Theatre, with a production of the cult-classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Jewels keeps a busy schedule, performing 27 shows a week between drag brunches and after-dinner shows at Hamburger Mary’s as well as performing at the World Famous Falcon on top of being a regular community advocate
For years, Jewels has worked with others to shine a light to fundraisers and causes she is passionate about, most of all raising funds for organizations St. Mary’s CARE Center, a medical center that aims to provide LGBTQ centric healthcare for Long Beach.
For her, the connection between advocacy and drag as an art form are inseparable.
“I think drag is a form of protest, it’s one our original forms of protests. I think drag is uniquely suited to fighting against the status quo,” Jewels said.
Most recently, Jewels served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for a raising of the pride flag outside the Los Angeles County Office of Education in Downey.
The event made a splash in particular as the Downey city council voted to restrict the pride flag from being flown on Downey city property, but the ordinance could not prevent flags from being raised on properties owned by LA county, which has its own jurisdictions.
“Doing good is good business. Putting good out in the world and helping people out in the world, if done right, helps you too,” said Jewels.
Jewels will be hosting “Queens on the Queen” this upcoming Monday, a first-of-its-kind drag-centric show on the Queen Mary observation bar, one of Long Beach’s most historical and long-standing icons.
The event is sponsored in part by councilwoman Mary Zendejas as well as the drag culture landmark Hamburger Mary’s.
For those interested in seeing Jewels perform aboard the Queen Mary this Monday, tickets can be purchased for $10 here. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will star queen’s Mayhem Miller and Dolly Levi, hosted by Jewels.
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