“All Hail the Kings: Drag King Show,” Photo Essay.

In the summer of 2024, Downtown Olly’s in Indianapolis hosted a vibrant and unforgettable night of drag performance that placed Drag Kings at the forefront of queer artistry. Organized and produced by local advocate John Proctor, and emceed by the dynamic Drag Queen Lolapalooza, the event featured eight remarkable performers: Riley Poppyseed, Dante Kyng, Joey Night, Izzy Omega, Tommy Knockerz, Solely Santana, Stevie Phoenix, and Beelze Babe. North Meridian Review, now to celebrate the anniversary of the event, presents this photo essay to document a powerful moment of visibility and celebration in the heart of the Midwest.

While Drag Queens have gained broader recognition in popular media, Drag Kings continue to face systemic underrepresentation despite their equally rich contributions to queer performance culture. This performance and photo essay seeks to challenge that imbalance by foregrounding the artistry, charisma, and political presence of Kings on stage. Public spaces like Olly’s—open, unapologetically queer, and locally grounded—are essential sites for cultivating community and resistance. Representation matters, and access to it must be expansive, inclusive, and publicly celebrated.

These images honor not only the performers themselves, but the wider movement toward equity in queer visibility. They remind us that drag is more than entertainment—it is protest, joy, history, and a living archive of gender expression in motion.

Photos by Wesley R. Bishop.