Eugene is prideful, creative and welcoming, which has created unique and supportive spaces for all individuals, especially the queer community. Drag performers are at the forefront, allowing people of all identities to feel seen, heard and represented through elaborate shows and events.

The Spectrum, Eugene’s most popular gay bar, first opened in November 2018, hosting shows, meetups and brunches. These events range from speed dating to karaoke, from murder mystery parties to cookie decorating, and much more for the city’s queer population. On Aug. 11, the Spectrum permanently closed, making one less safe space for the gay community to gather.

Now, increasing numbers of queer and drag events are finding new homes for their expression — including at The Hybrid Gallery, which opened in February 2021. The owner, Anna Kaplan, moved from Philadelphia to Oregon 10 years ago and wanted to create a gallery that celebrated and showcased all art forms.

Warm lighting and a carefully curated selection of chairs welcome audiences towards a black-and-white art deco stage while pieces from local artists hang on surrounding walls. During performances, spotlights follow cast members into a cheering audience and through rows of seats.

“We have hosted drag events in the past, but I would say 100% the closing of Spectrum has created that need for a new performing space and we have been overjoyed to be able to host that type of performance art,” Kaplan said. “I feel very privileged to have created a space where the creators and performers feel comfortable bringing their art here.”

The Hybrid, and other venues including Seize the Slice pizzeria and The Barn Light, are filling the space Spectum’s closing left, helping rebuild the community and create spaces for queer events — including drag shows.

Lyta Blunt is a drag queen — and powerhouse — performing in and producing events, hosting drag workshops and much more. Her ambition and talent have been a beacon for Eugene’s drag community, bringing more shows and performers to the area — and earning her Eugene’s Best Drag Queen, awarded by Eugene Weekly, this last year.

“I went to school for acting and had a performing background. I was doing social media, working and DJ-ing for drag shows,” Blunt said. “One of my friends said, ‘you should do it, it’s not that hard.’ I did my first show a little over three years ago, and ever since then, I’ve been having so much fun.”

Blunt has created her own drag house and production team, Haus of Blunt, full of queens from Eugene and Portland. This team leans on one another to help perform and produce drag events for the Oregon community. Her recent event, “Bob’s Burgers: The Drag Show” sold out at the Hybrid, and the reinstated monthly Haus of Blunt Drag Brunches are expected to be a hit.

Haus of Blunt started in the late winter of 2022. “I was super lucky — I was new to town as far as performing, but because I had lived here for a long time, I had connections with venues,” Blunt said. “My career was advancing in a way I couldn’t totally keep up with, and I saw so many people in this community searching for something better; I wanted to see them do this to their fullest capacity. I was able to get a couple girls to the point of full-time drag performers.”

At “Haus of Blunt: Drag Brunch”, their event held at The Barn Light in downtown Eugene, queens and kings sat individuals at wooden tables where the venue offered breakfast and drinks. Throughout numbers, high heels marched through the aisles, standing on chairs and bars during fierce lip syncs. Even after the show, performers including Solaria, Aqua Flora, Shirley Mental and special guest Mona Crow chatted and smoked with their fans.

“I gained an entire community when I started doing drag, almost completely overnight,” Blunt said. This sense of camaraderie is abundantly clear, even just as a guest. After the show, Blunt’s cast slowly trickled out from the venue, each congratulating and complimenting her performance.

“I always tell people that when you see drag performances, it makes you feel like you can do the little, everyday things like wearing a crop top. Being in a space that is focused on giving love to queer people is such a good example for people who haven’t seen that or haven’t received that love themselves. I think that seeing people go crazy for someone on stage is such a heartwarming thing.”

Blunt has inspired and helped many Eugene locals build comfort in themselves through drag, like Drag King Heavy Cream, who first got into drag after attending one of Blunt’s drag workshops. Since then, he has won Eugene’s Best Drag King, also awarded by Eugene Weekly, two years in a row.

“I always loved drag but it didn’t seem like something I could really do — I never wanted to be a drag queen and I never saw where I fit in,” Cream said. “We’re definitely a different breed. There’s a different camaraderie and support in the king community that feels unique, and it really set the stage for me and my career.”

Cream has produced his own show, “Men at Work,” and their next performance will be Jan. 17, at The Hybrid at 8 p.m.

“I’m really happy and proud to be making sure that everyone knows that there are drag kings and we slay and rock just as hard as other performers,” Cream said. “We deserve just as much spotlight as you, and there is room for everyone. Everyone deserves to see themselves up on stage.”

These drag performers put marginalized identities in the spotlight, helping other queer, BIPOC and gender non-conforming individuals feel represented and welcomed in a community like Eugene. Lyta Blunt, Heavy Cream and others are promoting an accepting culture for a younger generation to strive for, especially University of Oregon students like senior Gio Betancourt.

“I just love the energy and the environment. It’s like truly a space for a lot of people to express themselves and people spectating get to cheer on and feel the energy of the performer,” Betancourt said. “I think it’s a great way for the drag performer to express themselves in a way that they’re not usually going to at work. Drag allows people to express another side of themselves that’s more freeing; there are no limits.”

“As someone who is queer and trans, I have my own community that’s very well-educated about drag or other queer events, but for other people who may not be informed of those events. I think there could be a little bit more promotion on campus,” said Betancourt.

Eugene’s drag scene has helped individuals on- and-off campus see their most authentic selves throughout town, reflecting a sense of acceptance of the queer, trans and BIPOC communities. Especially during a more frightening time in politics for a lot of marginalized communities, these spaces act as a safe haven for so many people — creating a lasting impact on each individual and protecting everyone’s unique identities.