TUJ LEAD hosted its second event of the Fall 2026 semester on October 16th in collaboration with the TUJ x SWU Pride Club. The Drag Trivia event was held for LGBTQ+ History Month, and engaged students in learning about the roots of drag and ballroom history and culture, especially highlighting the roots of ballroom performers during the Harlem Renaissance and its eventual migration to Japan. This event connected students to an avenue of the queer community and a form of artistic self-expression that might have otherwise been intimidating.

The event began by inviting students into a “vintage masquerade” themed Parliament at the Sangenjaya City Campus Parliament, where students were treated to popcorn and chocolate to enjoy during the activity. Joined onstage by a representative of TUJ x SWU Pride Club, we then presented some videos about drag, featuring Drag Syndrome by Nikolay Nikolov– a short documentary about a troupe of drag artists with Down syndrome, a recording of a Vogue competition, and two video introductions to local Tokyo-based Drag Houses, Haus of Gaishoku and Haus von Schwarz. We gave quick facts about drag history in between, and the event wrapped up with some fun trivia, putting everyone’s knowledge to the test for the chance to win prizes!

Throughout the presentation, the multicultural influences of drag in our everyday lives were emphasized, and messages of self-confidence, self-expression, and finding one’s community were expressed clearly, while giving students an opportunity to experience an aspect of the queer community that is sometimes difficult to find outside of very specific contexts.

We hope this event gave students an entertaining and enjoyable evening, and we look forward to seeing everyone at our next event with the Pacific Islander’s Club!