A photograph of a person in drag makeup. They have black hair and are wearing black lipstick, purple eyeshadow, and purple blush. Their shirt consists of pink fishnets, a top with black straps, and a thick leather necklace with silver hoops and chains coming off of it. They are also wearing large silver hoop earrings.

In Jonathan Eloi Lantiegne’s project “Drag is Beautiful,” he explores a group of drag queens, drag kings, and androgynous drag artists through portraiture. The art form of drag typically involves cross-dressing, and sometimes features comedy, satire, and political commentary in a dramatic performance. More importantly, as Lantiegne points out, it also creates a community and culture for people with different forms of gender identity and expression.

"Drag has always been something that has fascinated me. From my first exposure to drag nine years ago to now, I have been hooked. The confidence and proud self-expression that comes from drag artists has always been inspiring to me. As a queer person who has struggled with their identity, witnessing drag and occasionally participating in drag has been able to give me the confidence in who I am, loving myself and who I have become. This was the driving force behind my project, Drag is Beautiful." Jonathan Eloi Lantiegne