RALEIGH, N.C. — When Triston Chagolla takes the stage, he doesn’t just do it for himself. He says he does it for the the kids who grow up, oftentimes seeing plus-size people of color being the butt of jokes.
“I want to be able to use the art of drag to create a character, Kiara Mel, that I can teach people that you can be plus size and beautiful," Chagolla said. "You can be brown and smart. You can be both those things, and everything else you want to be.”
Kiara Mel, the persona that Chagolla created, has been a big part of his life.
Last year, Mel was named the 2022 Miss Gay North Carolina America.
But Chagolla’s ability to inspire others faces a challenge with a new proposal in the state legislature, House Bill 673, that aims to ban drag performances anywhere that there might be people under the age of 18.
Chagolla believes this is another step toward trying to demolish drag.
“It’s probably going to limit what I love to do. Also it’s against my First Amendment right," Chagolla said. "Drag is freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and I don’t understand what is my constitutional right is an issue and a problem.”
While drag has continued to grow in popularity over the past few years, Chagolla reminds people who are skeptical of it, it's been a part of our lives for decades.
“Drag has been in our face for years. When it comes to Mrs. Doubtfire, Madea, Tootsie," Chagolla said. "All these entertainers and comedians using the art form of drag to entertain the masses, and it never was an issue.”
Chagolla says drag is more than just a form of art, it's a feeling of acceptance.
“When people come into the space, and people being authentically themselves with the expression of drag, it gives them the permission to do the same,” he said.
Chagolla says he hopes to continue to build his career in drag, traveling the country and introducing the world of drag to others.
While there are many who support the art of drag, proponents of the bill say it's in their best interest to protect children.
The North Carolina Family Policy Council said in a statement:
“House Bill 673 is a common-sense bill that simply seeks to prevent inappropriate and sexually explicit acts from being performed in public spaces or in the presence of minors. In doing so, the passage of this bill will help protect the best interest of our children, our families and our communities in North Carolina.”
This bill has been assigned to committee, but no votes have been scheduled yet.