Full Breakdown
Drag Parody Show Raises $25 K for ACLU While Satirizing Right-Wing Figures
4/28/2026, 12:48:36 AM
Event Overview
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the gay bar 3 Dollar Bill in Bushwick, Brooklyn hosted “I Want You for Turning Point U.S. Gay NYC,” a right-wing parody fundraiser. Over 1,000 attendees gathered in the venue’s backyard while drag performers mocked prominent MAGA personalities, including Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and attorney Rudy Guilliani. The show raised more than $25,000 for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Background & Political Context
Organizers framed the event as a response to recent federal actions targeting LGBTQ + communities. In February 2025, the Department of Homeland Security altered policy to permit surveillance of LGBTQ + groups as potential security threats. A newly proposed FBI budget subsequently seeks to label LGBTQ “terrorists” under a “gender-extremism” initiative. The White House, according to the organizers, used the September 2023 death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk as a pretext for broader persecution of left-leaning activists. Internationally, the show referenced worldwide pushback against right-wing movements, citing protests against ICE and the 2026 ouster of Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ president Viktor Orbán.
Key Performers and Portrayed Figures
- Kiki Ball-Change – organizer; performed as First Lady Melania Trump
- Lauren Banall – portrayed Erika Kirk
- Brita Filter – impersonated rapper Nicki Minaj
- Marti Gould Cumming – as Kristi Noem
- Plasm – as former Attorney General Pam Bondi
- Miss Ma’amshe – as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Bertha Vanayshun – as commentator Candace Owens
- Maxxx Pleasure – as musician Kid Rock
- Alvah Klempt – as Rudy Guilliani
- Uncle Freak – as former NYC Mayor Eric Adams
New York State Assemblymember Claire Valdez also addressed the audience while campaigning for a U.S. House seat.
Data & Statistics
- Attendance: >1,000 participants
- Funds raised for ACLU: >$25,000
- Number of drag performers: 10
- Number of MAGA figures satirized: 9
Official Statements & Responses
Organizer Kiki Ball-Change emphasized that drag is inherently political and that the show aimed to highlight real-world consequences of anti-LGBTQ policies. She described the performance as a means to foster community, hope, and resilience amid what she called “authoritarian movements” that seek to portray change as impossible. Ball-Change also linked the event to broader global resistance against right-wing authoritarianism.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media commenters criticized Lauren Banall’s impersonation of Erika Kirk, labeling her “a heartless demon,” “mental,” “disgusting,” and claiming she was “going to hell.” Some right-wing observers argued that drag itself is misogynistic and parallels blackface, contending that the art form mocks women and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Drag has always been political. We’re making it clear what’s at stake, [but] at the same time, the show wasn’t a downer,” — Kiki Ball-Change, organizer
- “It’s the light at the end of the tunnel that will guide us to the end of this mess.” — Kiki Ball-Change
- “Drag isn’t limited to men performing femininity,” — Kiki Ball-Change
- “a heartless demon,” — Instagram commenter
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The article provides no response from any of the parodied MAGA figures or from the White House regarding the event’s accusations. Details on how the ACLU intends to allocate the $25,000 donation are also absent.
Why It Matters
The fundraiser illustrates how queer cultural expression can intersect with political activism, generating significant financial support for civil-rights litigation while publicly challenging recent anti-LGBTQ policies. By coupling satire with fundraising, the event underscores the role of community-based art in shaping public discourse and mobilizing resistance against perceived authoritarian trends.
