Turnabout Charity Drag Show Returns to Korner Lounge

Sham-ROCK ON — Turnabout has returned!

The beloved charity drag show will take place this year on St. Patrick's Day, Friday, March 17, at The Korner Lounge in downtown Shreveport.

This specific drag show is unlike others as it does not include your "everyday" performers. This annual event brings together local bartenders, patrons, and community members to perform throughout the evening, all while raising money for various organizations that support, uplift and benefit the queer community in northwest Louisiana.

For Em Emerson, a local comedian who will perform as Em EssGee, they said they've been in love with drag since being a teen. With recent anti-drag laws passed in Tennessee and other states pushing bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community, they knew this was the time to get involved.

"A drag performance is a little dream I've always had, and watching sensationalists in our country try to criminalize it made me realize that my little dream could be taken away. I realized then how big of a dream it is for so many people who find safety and security in their drag families, who find themselves in their performance," said Emerson. "So much of queer culture is the chosen family we create safe spaces with, and to take away drag is to take away one of the most celebratory safe spaces we have."

Emerson said they chose to perform not only to help contribute to Turnabout, but because queer voices need to be amplified.

"I want to be loud and proud in solidarity with my community. I chose to perform because I know that I am privileged as a white, cis-passing person, and if I can use that in any way to help my queer siblings' voices be lifted up louder, I'm going to do exactly that."

This year's charities and organizations that will benefit include:

THE PHILADELPHIA CENTER

The Philadelphia Center was developed in the spring of 1990 as concerned citizens were responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Shreveport/Bossier City area. Over the past 30+ years, The PC has become the HIV/AIDS resource center for Region 7 which serves the parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, DeSoto, Sabine, and Natchitoches.

LA TRANS ADVOCATES

Louisiana Trans Advocates is an organization founded by young people with the support, guidance and mentorship of trans elders. LTA connects folks to skill building resources that can be applied to the LGBTQ movement and beyond.

PACE

PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality) is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance equality in Northwest Louisiana so that the LGBT community can lead open, honest, responsible, and safe lives at home and in the workplace.

OUT OF THE CLOSET

Out of the Closet exists to clothe members of the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized individuals in need with outfits and wardrobes that reflect their truest self. Every piece of clothing from Out of the Closet is donated by community members and everything is 100 percent free. Permanent community racks can be found at The Agora Borealis, 421 Lake St. in downtown Shreveport.

SHREVEPRIDE

ShrevePride is the organization behind Shreveport Q-Prom, Field Gay, and their newest venture, QUEST. Their goal is to provide inclusive experiences regardless of sex, gender, race, or ability, and to give LGBTQ+ people and their allies a place to come together and celebrate uniqueness.

QUEERPORT

Queerport's goal is to bring together queer creatives in the south, specifically northwest Louisiana, to share their stories and create commentary on issues that matter. They aspire to empower queer youth and give them alternative resources and programming, offering events, workshops, and access to their blog throughout the year.

Interested in attending Turnabout 2023? The Korner Lounge, 800 Louisiana Ave. in downtown Shreveport, opens at 4 pm with show time at 10:30 pm. Cover is $10 and you must be 21+ to enter.

If you can't make it to the event and would like to donate, you can via Cashapp ($KornerLounge) or by contacting The Korner Lounge through Facebook or Instagram.