LGBTQ+ Jews in Cincinnati to showcase drag for Purim

The copy of this piece was provided directly by the organizer of the event and not from The Buckeye Flame’s newsroom.

Elech, Cincinnati’s Queer Jew-ish Community, will hold their second-annual Purim celebration at Urban Artifact on March 16 from 8pm-10pm. Purim commemorates the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia and features raucous parties, food and drink, and costumed performers reenacting the biblical narrative. For many, even in religious Jewish communities, men dressing up as women have been a part of the Purim festivities for generations.

Cincinnati’s LGBTQ Jews have re-interpreted this tradition to feature a glamorous drag show, which organizers say speaks to the theme of the holiday: survival.

“It’s a really tough time to be both Jewish and Queer,” said Elliot Draznin, co-founder of Elech and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Cincinnati Pride, “our community is under attack on both sides, just for being who we are wanting to live as our full selves.”

That community is not as small as you might think. A 2019 study commissioned by the Cincinnati Jewish community showed that 12% of greater Cincinnati’s 18,900 “Jewish households” included a person who identifies as LGBTQ.

“That’s over 2,000 people who are navigating these challenges of intersectional identities,” says Draznin, “but we also believe this is an undercount because many LGBTQ youth and adults are stuck in the closet, especially because of anti-LGBT legislation.”

When Elech held their inaugural Purim celebration last year, Draznin was concerned about rising homophobia, transphobia, and antisemitism. Since then, it’s gotten even worse.

Ohio Governor Mike Dewine recently vetoed HB 68, which would have restricted transgender youth from accessing healthcare. The Ohio legislature overrode his veto and the law is expected to go into effect on April 23rd. Still, Dewine subsequently introduced executive action that would further limit access to gender-affirming healthcare.

Cincinnati has also seen an increase in antisemitic activity, even causing Congressman Greg Landsman to postpone a town hall meeting due to “threats against Jews.”

Despite ongoing hatred, Elech plans to hold its largest event yet, returning to Northside’s “Radio Artifact” soundstage. The performance will feature local drag artists personifying the ancient characters in a new way.

Eric George Tauber is a local theatre artist who wrote the script for the Drag Purim Spiel. “Purim has long been my favorite Jewish holiday. The theatricality of it speaks to me as a thespian. My years in touring Children’s Theatre really impressed on me that young audiences don’t want to just sit and passively watch a show. The shows that they really gobble up are the ones in which they get to be a part of the action. The Purim Spiel, which includes audience reactions, speaks to that child in all of us,” Tauber said.

“What we are doing with this show is more than re-telling an old story. We are engaging our audience in the telling of it. More than that, we are creating a space for Queer people to belong,” Tauber added.

Despite the challenges, event organizers are confident that their community will enjoy a special celebration of identity, art, and survival – which even Queen Esther would be proud of.

“Glitter, Groggers, and Glam” is a partnership between Elech and ish (a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering Jewish arts and cultural traditions) and funded by the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati through its Reflect Cincy grant program. Promotional partners include the Jewish Federation Young Adult Division (YAD) and Cincinnati Pride.

The free event will feature Hamantaschen (Purim pastries), a photo booth, and a costume contest. 🔥