Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Love.
Karina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Dallas/Fort Worth based drag performer. I just reached my one-year anniversary of doing drag and what a fun journey it has been thus far. Drag has always been a part of my life, way before I even knew what drag was. I was that kid running around the house with a t-shirt on their head and their momma’s heels on their feet.
I would even wait until everyone went to bed to play with my mom’s and my sisters’ makeup. But fast forward 20 (something) years and I finally decided that I would never again let another person dictate how I live my life. I started drag June of 2018 at a bar in Denton called Crossroads where I met my lovely drag mother Kylee O’Hara Fatale. Kylee hosts and co-produces an elimination style drag competition called The Queer Off. I was given the opportunity to compete in season 1 and that is truly where my drag career took off.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think that any road is ever completely smooth. There are always going to be some bumps along the way but it’s how you handle the bumps that truly matter – whether by pill or ointment (lol just kidding).
One of my biggest struggles since starting drag has been finding balance in my life. Balance for drag, for relationships, and all while having a day job because baby let’s face it, this hair is not free. And while I haven’t found complete balance it is something that I’m consciously working towards every day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Queens Empower – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
As drag queens, people who have been at the forefront of the LGBTQIA+ community (since like forever) I feel that we have a duty to continue the legacy of those who came before us. A legacy that worked hard to further equality and acceptance. A legacy that worked hard to fight against stigma and the AIDS epidemic. And let me tell you, we have come FAR but we have so much farther to go. This is why I call myself a Dragtivist – a drag performer using their platform to bring awareness to HIV, PrEP, and other social injustices in their community. Earlier in the interview, I mentioned having a day job and I feel so lucky to be able to do what I do. By day I am an Outreach Specialist for an HIV testing clinic in Fort Worth called Health Education Learning Project. I started working there in October 2018 and in that short amount of time I have been able to branch off and start my own outreach organization called Queens Empower. Working in the LGBTQIA+ health field, I saw a disconnect between my community and the resources available to them. Queens Empower is a group of Dragtivists from all backgrounds who work with local non-profits to put on drag shows with a purpose. We not only have performances but also at each event offer free HIV testing and bring awareness to topics such as PrEP and stigma against HIV. While I love performing, being a Dragtivist is what makes my heart happy. I have finally found my calling in entertaining and educating my community.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about our city is the vast amount of creative and talented people living here. We have people from all walks of life with something important to offer. Community is so important and I really feel like everyone who is a part of the DFW LGBTQIA+ community is – for the most part – supportive and wants to lift each other up. What I like least about our city is the fact that we don’t have enough queer exclusive spaces outside of bars. While we do live in a predominately progressive city queer people still have to be cautious in some spaces. As of last month the Dallas Police department had 4 active murder investigations involving black transgender victims. For this reason alone, I believe we need to insert ourselves into the everyday narrative, creating safe spaces beyond bars. I hope in some way I can be apart of the change that helps our community get there.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3187896759
- Email: karinalove318@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mskarinalove, instagram.com/queensempowertx
- Facebook: facebook.com/karina.love.58910, facebook.com/queensempowertx
Image Credit:
– Saraphimart, Isabelle Mallory
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
