A New Era of Civic Glamour, Community Power & Cultural Pride
Rochester, New York has long been a crown jewel of drag artistry—from hosting one of the country’s longest-running drag pageants, Miss Gay Rochester, to being home to generations of dazzling performers who inspire and uplift. Now, we take the next bold step: introducing the first-ever Drag Laureate in New York State.
The Drag Laureate is not just a title—it's a platform for celebration, healing, visibility, and transformation. Spearheaded by The Kingdom of Navassa, the Laureate will serve a 12-month term as Rochester’s official ambassador of drag excellence, civic engagement, and queer culture.
Applicants must:
Be a full-time resident of the Greater Rochester region.
Be 21+ by the deadline.
Know and love Rochester’s drag history.
Show passion for community engagement and cultural ambassadorship.
Demonstrate strong event or project management skills.
Be comfortable in both drag and civic settings.
The Drag Laureate’s Responsibilities
-
Serve as a public spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community.
-
Create and host drag-centered event(s).
-
Collaborate with city agencies and community partners
-
Spotlight Rochester’s rich drag legacy & engage in civic events, including Pride
How to Apply
Deadline is September 8, 2025.
Accessibility support is available for all applicants.
Budget & Support
The Flower City Drag Laureate Program is a community-powered initiative, made possible by people like you who believe in the power of drag storytelling, creativity, and leadership.
At a time when our community is attacked for simply existing, this program stands as a beacon of hope, healing, and visibility. But we can't do it alone.
Your support helps us:
Provide a meaningful honorarium to the Laureate
Fund inclusive public programs and workshops
Support artistic creation and cultural engagement
Ensure accessibility, visibility, and outreach across the Greater Rochester area.
The Trillium Health Foundation in Rochester, NY, has already generously supported us through their Rochester Pride Grant. But to bring this vision fully to life, we need your help.
Together, we are building a living legacy where drag brilliance is seen, celebrated, and sustained. Thank you for believing in this work.
Support our growth
We invite you to donate via our GoFundMe campaign or give directly on our website. Every donation—big or small—makes a difference in making this program a success.
If you’d like to discuss making a corporate contribution or explore sponsorship opportunities, please email us at contact@kingdomofnavassa.org.