Academy Forum: Drag Activism

TO ATTEND

This outdoor event is available for Club Members and their guests, and to interested members of our LGBTQIA+ community. Please feel free to register and be our guest for the evening.

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Join us for a very special and important conversation with three outstanding drag queens, as we discuss queer activism past, present and future, and how drag itself is a form of activism, not just fabulous entertainment.

We are honored to welcome the following panelists:

• Sister Roma
• Kochina Rude
• Afrika America
• Dr. Ish Ruiz (moderator)

TICKETS

Free; Donations collected at the event; 100% of proceeds donated to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

MEMBERSHIP

The Academy is currently accepting new memberships. If you are interested in becoming a Member and enjoying all of the associated perks and benefits, please click here to learn more.

BEVERAGES

Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase. Academy Social Club Members receive certain beverages complimentary. Ask your bartender or host for details.

CLUB INFORMATION

The Club will also be open during regular hours (Thursdays 5-11pm) for Members and their guests who do not wish to attend or do not have a ticket for this event.

COVID-19 SAFETY

This event will take place in accordance with all currently applicable health guidelines per the City of San Francisco and SFDPH. Our full safety information can be found HERE. Please contact us if you have any questions.

ABOUT SISTER ROMA

"The Most Photographed Nun In The World." ™ 

For over 30 years, Sister Roma has been one of the of most outspoken and highly visible members of the infamous Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence in San Francisco. Roma is recognized around the globe as an activist, fundraiser, public speaker, Master of Ceremonies, and glamorous clown. Since taking her vows she has been on the front lines in the war against HIV and AIDS as an educator, activist and fundraiser helping to raise over $1 million for the LGBTQ global community. Sister Roma is the creator and advocate of the Sisters’ Stop The Violence Campaign and most recently she gained international attention as the drag queen who took on Facebook and won - creating the  #MyNameIs movement in protest of Facebook's “Real” Name Policy fighting for the right of everyone to self-identify on the world’s largest social networking platform.

One of San Francisco’s most adored personalities, Roma was elected SF Pride Community Grand Marshal in 2012, SF’s Most Notable Drag Queen and Best of the Bay’s BEST ACTIVIST in 2016. Her colorful (and sometimes off-color) humor has found her serving as Master of Ceremonies on the main stages of SF Pride, Folsom Street Fair, Castro Street Fair, and Easter in the Park where she hosts the infamous Hunky Jesus Contest. Roma travels the U.S. speaking at rallies and hosting events from coast to coast. Internationally Roma has hosted events in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and was an honored guest of Pride in Shanghai, China, and Grand Marshal of Prague Pride in the Czech Republic.

For almost 20 years Roma has worked in the adult industry and currently serves as Art Director for NakedSword/Falcon Studios Group. Her sharp wit and stunning beauty make her the perfect host of NakedSword’s Tim & Roma show, as well as a regular fixture hosting adult industry events and red carpets from the Cybersocket Awards and GAYVNs in Los Angeles to Chicago’s Grabby Awards.

Follow Roma on Facebook.com/SisterRoma, Twitter @SisterRoma, and Instagram @Sister_Roma. Learn more about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at thesisters.org.

ABOUT AFRIKA AMERICA

Host/Singer-Musical Theater Artist/Producer and Artistic Director are just some of the titles associated with this Drag Out The Vote Ambassador! You may have caught their performance a few seasons ago on America’s Got Talent with Cheer San Francisco and they have performed around the world at multiple events including the Gay Games on 3 Different continents. If you’re in the Bay Area you can catch her performing at several bars around the Castro!! Please welcome to your screens, San Francisco’s DIVAlicious Drag Superstar... Afrika America!

ABOUT KOCHINA RUDE

Kochina Rude, known for combining a distinct hard-femme punk rock style with her no-nonsense attitude, is a Chicana drag queen, vocalist, and emcee born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kochina is a cohost for weekly drag show “Princess” at SF Oasis; out of drag, she is also the lead singer for Bay Area-based punk band Lolly Gaggers. She is a harm reduction advocate both on and off the stage, providing overdose prevention trainings to partygoers every weekend as an independent naloxone distributer via the D.O.P.E. Project. Other areas of expertise include sexual health education and HIV prevention, as well as cultural sensitivity and outreach to sex workers, people who use drugs, and people experiencing homelessness.

ABOUT DR. ISH RUIZ

Dr. Ish Ruiz is an educator who holds a PhD in Ethics and Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. His research interests explore various matters of LGBTQ+ justice and his dissertation discussed the conflict between LGBTQ+ rights and religious liberty. Ish is passionate about education, advocacy, human rights, and community and he looks forward to facilitating public-facing conversations with key leaders of our LGBTQ+ community.