The 101 Most Influential TGNCs of NYC

3rrd Wrld (@3rrd.wrld)

3rrd Wrld is a New York City-based musician, performer, and activist who uses their platform to speak out against the barriers facing new artists while promoting collaboration and community-building. Catch them as a frequent pre-show artist performing at OTA!

Afro Futurist Garçon (@afrofutur1st)

Afro Futurist Garçon is a three-time “Of the Year” winner in the Gender Non-Conforming, Bizarre, and GNC categories. Afro is the Prince of the House of Garçon and the founder of the Kiki Casa di Barro. The first ballroom house in Sergipe, Kiki Casa di Barro incorporates Afro-Brazilian dance forms into performance categories. Afro may best be known for their elaborate costumes made from found materials– such as a Black Panther-inspired outfit with giant wings in the colors of the non-binary flag.

Alex Lugo (@alexmarialugo)

Alex Lugo is a Brooklyn-based artist, dancer, singer, and choreographer. They are known for choreographing the Australian production of Hadestown and performing as the Workers, the Fates, and Persephone in Broadway’s run of the same show.

Amanda Lepore (@amandalepore)

Amanda Lepore is an OG club kid and a true international figure. Iconic from head to toe, Amanda has been a fixture of the NYC club scene since the 90s. She’s the ultimate it-girl, still pumping it after all these years and fiercer than anyone on the block. Amanda’s cultural impact cannot be understated: from her Club Kid Kard, to the Tranny Time watch, her Celebriduck toy, her work with David LaChappelle, her (literally) cunty Jason Wu doll, and her inspiring book Doll Parts. Outside of being a fashion and music legend, Amanda is a genuine sweetheart and role model for women everywhere.

Amarji King (@amarjiking)

Amarji King is a DJ and nightlife tastemaker working at the intersection of queer club culture, underground dance music, and community building. Known for spinning tracks that keep dance floors moving, King has been part of Houston’s underground nightlife scene and collaborates with queer collectives and parties that center self-expression, inclusivity, and the energy of the dance floor. Through music and nightlife, King continues to cultivate spaces where queer people can come together, move freely, and celebrate individuality.

Anania (@anania00)

Anania is an award-winning performer, drag queen, comedian, and TikToker from NYC. They are best known for their shortform “man on the street” style interview series, “Gaydar,” where they interview LGBTQ+ influencers and celebrities. Furthermore, Anania is a swing performer for the roles of Magenta and Riff Raff in the Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They have previously been cast as Dominique in an NYC production of Stiff, Lola in a Chicago production of Kinky Boots, and the narrator in a Boston production of Into the Woods, among other shows around the country.

Angel Au (@itsangelau)

Angel Au is an NYC-based artist, dancer, model, and drag performer. She is a member of the Asian-American drag group, the Dim Sum Trio, who are based out of the Williamsburg dim sum restaurant, Meili 沉香. Au is also a regular drag performer at 3 Dollar Bill in East Williamsburg.

Angelica Ross (@angelicaross)

Angelica Ross is an NYC-based influencer, public speaker, host of the “No Opportunity Wasted” podcast, and actress who lit up television screens– and broke hearts– as Candy Ferocity on the FX show, Pose. A frequent guest on podcasts covering left-wing political topics and LGBTQ+ issues, Ross’ cultural influence is nothing to overlook.

ARCHANGEL (@archangeldj)

ARCHANGEL is a Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and sound designer, best known for being a resident DJ at the QTBIPOC fundraiser and market, Body Hack, as well as at the NYC independent radio station, Lot Radio.

Arewà Basit (@arewabasit)

Arewà Basit is an artist and musician whose work traverses visual, performance, and sonic artforms. Channeling Afrofuturism and queer identity into her work, Arewà recently exhibited at the Whitney Museum with her beautiful and vibrant show, “American Sublime.” Beyond this, Arewà’s practice includes acting and community work, having starred in Geena Rocero’s Dolls and founding the Black queer production collective LEGACY.

Armana Khan (@armanakhanistan)

Armana Khan is a Pakistani-American DJ, model, and activist who fuses music of the Global South with North American and European EDM. Through her mixes, she connects the political struggles of the Global South (including Pakistan, Indonesia, and India) with clubgoers in the Global North, helping them develop a political consciousness while raising their awareness of global politics.

Ayman Syed (@theaymansyed)

Ayman Syed is a highly prolific and accomplished makeup artist, with clients including Armana Khan, Dylan Mulvaney, Qween Jean, Alok, Srizzy Beats, and The Guardian.

Baby Love (@babylove.nyc)

Baby Love is a New York City-based drag queen and performer. She is the founder and host of Fagtasia, a drag-inspired musical parody of pop culture phenomena including Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Wicked.

Barbie Swae (@barbie.swae)

Barbie Swae is an NYC-based model, ballroom performer, and nightlife personality. She is a member of the House of Gorgeous Gucci, walking in the categories of Face and Realness. Furthermore, she is a reality TV contestant on Tiffany Pollard’s “Slayers: Wheel of Fate.”

Beaujangles (@beaujangless)

You may recognize Beaujangles from her viral tweet reaction series “Trash it or Save it” where she stands up for Puerto Ricans, immigrants, and other marginalized peoples. Or from the many stages she’s graced in New York City. Or Los Angeles. Or Miami. Truly a working girl (complimentary, of course), Beaujangles got her nightlife start in Puerto Rico before moving to NYC and becoming a raver girl. Since making her beautiful stamp on the queer scene here, Beaujangles has been featured in the New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, and on the cover of New York Magazine.

B. Hawk Snipes (@bhawksnipes)

B. Hawk Snipes is a New York City and Atlanta-based fashion designer, activist, and actor. They are the founder of the fashion brand, The House of DraneB, and played the role of Bebé Pendavis on the FX show, Pose. Furthermore, they are the Digital Communications Lead for Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective, which supports QTBIPOC artists throughout New York.

Bobby Sanchez (@bobbysanchezmusic)

Bobby Sanchez is a Peruvian-American rapper, poet, and artist who fuses her Wari and Quechua heritage with New York hip hop to create queer, political, and environmentally conscious music and art.

Carmen DeCristo (@fotodecristo)

A talented photographer with distinctive insight into the lives of the girls, gays, and theys, Carmen DeCristo recently completed her nationally recognized magazine, American Girl Doll, where she traveled throughout the United States photographing queer/trans scenes. Though she is based out of NYC, Carmen’s influence spans the country, weaving a thread between queer nightlife communities across America, with a particular focus on the South. One half of a queer power couple with Punkal0id, we’re all on the edge of our seats to see where Carmen will go next.

C’était BonTemps (@cetaitbontemps)

C’était BonTemps is an NYC-based transmasc drag queen and barkeep. He is the host of “hrt. (the party),” a trans-focused dance party held at C’mon Everybody in Bed-Stuy. He is also the co-owner of the Bed-Stuy gay bar, Soft Butch.

Ceyenne Doroshow (@doroshow)

Ceynne Doroshow is a New York City-based activist and the founder of G.L.I.T.S., a “Black trans-led advocacy and direct services organization that is dedicated to fighting systemic discrimination against marginalized communities, in New York City and beyond” (https://www.glitsinc.org/about). In 2020, Ceyenne purchased G.L.I.T.S. 1 South, the first residential housing complex in New York City owned by the Black transgender community. In addition to providing direct support (including harm reduction supplies, guidance for gender-affirming funeral arrangements, career counseling, etc.) to disenfranchised community members, G.L.I.T.S. is in the process of building two trans-focused wellness and retreat centers, as well as a tutoring center in the basement of their trans housing complex. G.L.I.T.S. also maintains an emergency fund to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations within New York City.

Charlene Incarnate (@charleneincarnate)

Charlene Incarnate is drag queen, performer, and fixture of New York City nightlife. She regularly hosts drag and cabaret shows at Metropolitan Bar, as well as other venues throughout Brooklyn.

Cherry Jaymes (@cherry.jaymes)

Cherry Veronica Jaymes is an “Americo-Liberian It Girl,” drag queen, actress, model, and all-around superstar whose influence exceeds the New York City Metro Area. In 2025 she opened for Chappell Roan at Forest Hills Stadium, and stays booked and busy across the East Coast. When not traveling, she can be found performing at her home bar, C’mon Everybody, in Brooklyn.

Chiquitettas (@chiquiettas)

Chiquiettas is a Brooklyn-based performer, activist, and podcaster. She plays Cecilia Gentili in the one-woman show, Red Ink, and hosts the “Manic Episodes” podcast where she interviews various queer nightlife figures on her sofa.

Colette March (@colettemarch)

Colette March is an NYC-based musician and performer who may best be known for her viral 2025 dance pop anthem, “Franco.” As catchy as it is cutting, “Franco” is a fierce exposé of the prototypical southern European chaser.

Daddy Doll (@imdaddydoll) (@makeupbydaddydoll)

One of only a few makeup artists to make this list, Daddy Doll’s resume is as long as it is star-studded. In addition to beating their own face, Daddy Doll has done up models for Twink Next Door and LADYGUNN Magazine, as well as celebrities and New York City icons like Anna Delvey and Perle Toure.

Daniella Carter (@daniella.carter)

Daniella Carter is an NYC-based activist who has contributed her insights to several documentaries about the lives of Black trans women, including The T Word and Kokomo City. She is also an outspoken advocate, promoter, and curator of trans cinema through “The Queer Lens,” a short film series which screened at the Stonewall National Memorial in 2025.

Daniella Darling (@ddarlingnyc)

Daniella Darling is an NYC-based drag queen and showgirl. She hosts the “4D: Dykes, Dolls, and Double-Ds” drag show with DiDi Opulence and Jer Block in collaboration with the nonprofit “Dykes and Dolls.”

Danny Gorgeous Gucci (@danny_gorgeous_gucci)

Danny Gorgeous Gucci is a NYC-based model, activist, and ballroom icon who walks the Transman Face category. He is a staunch advocate for the inclusion of trans men in ball culture.

Darïa Dee (@itsmedaria)

A core member of and the Digital Communications Lead for the Black Trans Femme Artists Collective, Darïa has put in tireless work to get Black trans femmes hired, paid, and thriving. She is also an editor for TENz Magazine and the founder of “Hip Hop Pride,” an initiative which highlights the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to Hip Hop music and culture. Darïa’s work has been featured in Bloomberg Business, Vogue, the New York Times, and elsewhere.

Darie Santana (@beauteuss)

Darie Santana is an NYC-based makeup artist and influencer who promotes trans awareness and visibility through short-form video content. With nearly half a million followers across TikTok and Instagram, it won’t be long before “Darie Santana” is a household name.

Deja Smith (@theladydeja)

Deja Smith is an NYC-based makeup artist whose many claims to fame include painting the cast of the FX series, Pose. She runs the makeup consulting and artistry firm “DD Productions” in association with the Bask and Lather haircare company.

Deja Smith is an NYC-based makeup artist. She served as the MUA on the 2018 FX series, Pose. She currently runs the makeup consulting and artistry firm DD Productions (pronounced Double-D Productions) which is associated with the Bask and Lather haircare company.

Dev Doee @devdoee

Dev Doee (@devdoee)

Dev Doee is an NYC-based performer, host, and creative personality recognized for their dynamic presence in queer nightlife. A Glam Awards Breakthrough Artist nominee in 2022, Doee is celebrated for their work across hosting, performance, dance, and fashion-forward looks. As a BIPOC artist and a fixture in New York’s queer scene, Doee brings a distinctive energy to the nightlife spaces they inhabit.

DiDi Opulence (@theopulentdoll)

DiDi Opulence is an NYC-based drag queen. She hosts the “4D: Dykes, Dolls, and Double-Ds” drag show with Daniella Darling and Jer Block, in collaboration with the nonprofit “Dykes and Dolls.”

Dolliana (@showdolliana)

Dolliana is an NYC-based model, actress, and singer whose music incorporates elements from her Chilean heritage as well as sci-fi motifs to create a unique and fabulous sound.

Dolliana is an NYC-based model, actress, and independent pop singer. She draws upon her Chilean heritage and sci-fi imagery in her music to give futuristic Latina doll fabulousness.

Dominique Jackson (@dominique.a.r.jackson)

Dominique Jackson is a Trini-American actress, model, and trans icon. A true triple threat, she began her career in ballroom before moving on to modeling and acting. In 2018 she brought Elektra Abundance to life on the FX Show, Pose: a character who would etch her name in history as one of the fiercest and most fabulous house mothers on television.

Dylan Silver (@dylasilv)

Dylan Silver is a hair artist whose clients range from high fashion models to A-list celebrities. With a sensibility that expertly weaves vintage and contemporary styles, her breathtaking curls, cunty bobs, and bespoke bangs have graced the likes of JT, Chase Icon, Sasha Velour, Symone, Trisha Paytas, and Julia Fox.

Dylan Silver is a hair artist whose work spans film, New York Fashion Week models, and celebrity glam. Bringing a vintage sensibility to contemporary styling, her beautiful curls, cunty bobs, and face-framing bangs can be seen on the likes of JT, Chase Icon, Sasha Velour, Symone, Trisha Paytas, and Julia Fox.

Emily Tressa (@emilytressa)

Emily Tressa is an NYC-based independent pop singer and activist. An outspoken advocate for the autonomy of trans youth (and the rights of all trans people to receive necessary medical care), she has since broken into the pop music scene: producing bangers such as “DO THE DJ” and “U LIKE IT OR LOVE IT.”

Fashion (@tightcorsetloosemorals)

Fashion is a DJ known widely throughout New York City not only for her flawlessly-winged eyeliner and tattoos that evoke a porcelain masterpiece, but her innovative, bouncing techno sets which draw all of the cuntiest dolls to what would otherwise be bland, cis gay-filled circuit parties.

Fashion is a DJ and general icon of the scene, with her perfectly drawn winged liner and distinctly beautiful tattoos. A regular at Makadsi’s Function, you can find her innovative, bouncing sets drawing all the cunty dolls to what might otherwise be gay-filled circuit parties.

Fish Fiorucci (@fishfiorucci)

Fish Fiorucci is an NYC-based model and modeling scout. They currently run F10 Casting, an agency based out of New York and Texas which has landed roles for models in magazines like WWD and Office.

Gage Spex (@gagespex)

A true club kid, Gage Spex blends wit and creativity to fabricate undeniable expressions of wearable art. Outside of designing looks, Gage practices performance-based installation and soft sculpture and produces “The Spectrum:” a party which welcomes all members of the queer

community.

B. Hawk Snipes (@bhawksnipes)

B. Hawk Snipes is a New York City and Atlanta-based fashion designer, activist, and actor. They are the founder of the fashion brand, The House of DraneB, and played the role of Bebé Pendavis on the FX show, Pose. Furthermore, they are the Digital Communications Lead for Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective, which supports QTBIPOC artists throughout New York.

God Complex (@g0d.c0mplex)

God Complex is the drag persona of Aeon Wade Andreas, a self-described “gender terrorist” whose jaw-dropping performances channel both the joy and darkness found in many queer experiences. Beyond his work on the stage, God Complex is the mind behind the drag spectacular “ABSOLUTELY” and the nightlife extravaganza “FAGGOTICA,” which reimagines iconic queer media in the context of a modern New York City.

Gage Spex (@gagespex)

Gage Spex is a New York City–based nightlife fashionista, multidisciplinary performance artist, dancer, and event producer known for pushing the boundaries of queer nightlife and self-expression. They founded The Spectrum, an underground performance art and nightlife space that grew into a platform for experimental music, fashion, and queer community building, later expanding into Dreamhouse. Through their ever-evolving creative practice and events, Spex continues to shape New York’s underground scene, creating spaces where fashion, movement, music, and queer culture intersect.

Geena Rocero (@geenarocero)

Geena Rocero is a Filipina-American model, activist, and director who paved the way as one of the first out trans women to be featured in Playboy. She is also the director of Dolls, a short sci-fi thriller about a trans PI looking for a missing woman.

Gender Fail / Be Oakley (@genderfail)

“Gender Fail” is the publishing project of Be Oakley, an artist and activist whose work centers narratives of the working class and queer solidarity. “Gender Fail” offers stickers, zines, prints, and protest sign inspired open-source typefaces from Be Oakley and collaborators. Their zine, “Against Pride Month During a Fucking Genocide,” now in its second printing, is an essential read this (and every) June.

geneva frazier @sexinchurch

SEXINCHURCH, is a New York City-based DJ and cultural facilitator working at the intersection of Black queer nightlife, music, and community organizing. Drawing from house, techno, and R&B, Frazier uses the dance floor as a space for collective expression, liberation, and connection. Through initiatives such as SEX CHANGE, Frazier is committed to building nightlife spaces where Black trans people are centered, celebrated, and empowered to create community on their own terms.

Gia Love (@therealgialove)

Gia Love is an NYC-based kiki performer, actress, model, and advocate. She runs the Black Trans Love Cookout, held every summer at Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg.

a “FAGGOTICA,” which reimagines iconic queer media in the context of a modern New York City.

Iman Hill (@missimanhill)

Iman Hill is an NYC-based ballroom performer and archivist. She currently runs the “Kunt Kollections” and the “Kunt News Networks,” which photographs and archives images from various balls in the NYC area. She is also the godmother of the internationally-acclaimed Legendary Luxurious House of Louboutin.

Imara Jones @imara_jones

Imara Jones is an award-winning journalist, producer, and transgender rights advocate. She is the founder of TransLash Media, a nonprofit journalism and storytelling organization dedicated to amplifying trans voices and challenging anti-trans narratives. Through her work as host of The TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones and executive producer of documentary projects, Jones centers the experiences of transgender people, particularly Black trans communities. Her work has earned Emmy and Peabody Awards, and she was named to TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2023.

Indya Moore (@indyamoore)

Indya Moore is an NYC-based actor and model. She captivated audiences around the world through her portrayal of Angel Evangelista in the FX show, Pose and as Wanda Mannering in the 2024 adaptation of The Sandman. Beyond the screen she is a passionate and outspoken advocate for the rights of marginalized peoples throughout the world, especially the trans community and Palestinians.

Jari Jones (@iamjarijones)

Jari Jones is an NYC-based actress, model, and activist. She served as a producer and acting coach for the 2019 film, Port Authority and voices Marshmallow, a Black trans sex worker, on the hit show Bob’s Burgers.

Jayse Vegas (@jaysevegas)

Jayse Vegas is an NYC-based pop singer, party producer, and nightlife host. They are the lead producer of the artistic consulting group, Milliron Studios, as well as the host of the monthly “Goes Pop!” party at 3 Dollar Bill in East Williamsburg.

Juliana Huxtable (@julianahuxtable)Juliana Huxtable is an Berlin-based interdisciplinary artist and DJ who has exhibited and performed at a number of renowned institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Her addictively eclectic DJ sets regularly draw crowds at legendary venues, underground raves, and other iconic functions throughout New York City, Los Angeles, Berlin, and London.

Julie J (@juliej.nyc)

Julie J. is an NYC-based drag queen, artist, and writer. She is a contributor to the 2025 book, No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen where she has written essays in response to the increasing criminalizing and persecution of drag and drag queens by the contemporary conservative movement. Furthermore, she has worked as an artist in the past, creating the multimedia projects of “Eyeshadow!” and “Faulty Defense Mechanism”

Julz Owens (@iamjulzromell_)

Julz Owens is an NYC-based dancer, choreographer, and ballroom commentator from the House of Juicy Couture. He hoststhe ballroom commentator competition series, Voice of the House: Commentator Cypher.

Kia LaBeija (@goodnight_kia)

A New Yorker through and through, Kia LeBeija is an image-maker and storyteller born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen. Outspoken as a woman of color with HIV, Kia has a background in ballroom where she was the overall mother of the Royal House of LaBeija from 2017 to 2019. Kia’s artistic practice tells both of these stories from the inside, approaching them from a place of love and understanding first and foremost. LaBeija is also the Communications and Narrative Director of the Lifetime Survivors Network, a national network for those living with HIV since birth or early childhood.

Kimberly Joneś (@kimberlyyjonesss)

Kimberly Jones is an NYC-based ballroom influencer and the host of the IRL vlog, “It’s Kimberly Joneś,” on her YouTube channel.

Lady Tanya Penda’vis-Garçon (@ladytanyapendavis)

Lady Tanya Penda’vis-Garçon is a ballroom icon with over 30 years of experience of walking FQ categories and a member of the House of Garçon. She hosts the “Transitional Spaces” podcast which features various interviews from ballroom legends of the present and past.

Lana Patel Garçon (@lanapatelxoxo)

Lana Patel Garçon is an NYC-based model, makeup artist, fashion influencer, podcaster, and ballroom performer from the House of Garçon.

Laurel Charleston (@laurelcharleston)

An NYC-based makeup artist, Laurel Charleston’s career has been on the rise since she released her zine Brooklyn Dreams, showcasing her immense talent with a brush and some products. Since then she’s become a regular MUA for Doja Cat and Melanie Martinez, doing everything from standard pretty face to alienesque prosthetics and full-body paint. Recently, Laurel also did makeup for the trans-led production Dolls directed by Geena Rocero.

Lina Bradford (@thelinabradford)

Lina Bradford is NYC-based drag queen and DJ. Bradford was a Club Kid during the late 1980s and early 1990s where she did drag and performed at the legendary New York drag festival, Wigstock. Presently, she works as a DJ in both New York and Europe.

Linda Simpson (@lindasimpson)

A longtime icon of the club scene, Linda Simpson’s career in the arts kicked off with her striking portraits of close friend Paige. Since then she’s been on the forefront of documenting queer NYC and promoting print culture in the scene. From her magazine My Comrade to her recent show at Howl! Arts, The Drag Queens of New York, Linda is a true multi-hypenate- a photographer, archivist, historian, artist and drag queen.

Macy Rodman (@macyrodman)

Macy Rodman is a Barcelona-based drag queen, musician, podcast host, and nightlife host. Rodman has spent most of her career in New York, initially performing at the Spectrum, Macri Park, and Metropolitan, before transitioning to a music career, releasing albums like The Lake (2017), Endless Kindness (2019), Unbelievable Animals (2021), and Scald (2025). She is also the host of the Nymphowars comedy podcast with Theda Hammel.

Mariyea (@mariyeaaaa)

Mariyea is an NYC-based drag queen and actress. She is a regular drag performer at Fresco’s Grand Cantina in Astoria. She plays Olivia in the 2025 Noah’s Arc reunion movie and is a regular cast member of the Fagtasia theatrical productions.

Marley Gotterer (@marleyismarley)

Marly Gotterer is an NYC-based comedian and TikToker. She began her comedy career running an Instagram meme page for absurdist, trans-focused humor, before she was banned and began to apply her comedic talents both on TikTok and in standup. She currently runs “Woke is Back,” a monthly comedy show at The Bell House in Red Hook. In addition to her comedy show, she is a regular guest on Ben Mora’s game show, Interior Motives.

Marti Cummings (@martigcummings)

Marti Cummings is an NYC-based drag queen and politician. They were the Grand Marshal of 2025 NYC Pride and served on the Nightlife Advisory Board for Mayor DeBlasio They are also a member of the New York State Democratic Committee from the 75th Assembly District and previously ran for New York City Council’s 7th District in Manhattan.

Max Colby (@max_colby)

Max Colby is a mixed-media sculpture artist. Her pieces are lush, intimate, playful, poignant, and deconstructive, while at once creating-a-new. Max’s work can be found in art galleries, public installations, and even children’s museums- a bold statement from a trans woman in this political age.

Michelle Wynters (@the_wynters)

Michelle Wynters is an NYC-based drag queen and go-go dancer. Despite growing up in a conservative household, she developed her interest in drag and dancing from a young age, taking dance lessons in modern and classical dance in middle school.

Miguel Peña (@buildaboymig)

Miguel Peña, known online as Mig, is a Venezuelan-American trans content creator, storyteller, and community builder whose candid humor and personal reflections have made him a recognizable voice in transmasculine culture. Through TikTok, Instagram, and his Build A Boy Workshop on Substack, Peña shares the realities of transition, from navigating dysphoria and masculinity to finding confidence, joy, and belonging. Blending humor with vulnerability, he creates space for conversations about trans identity that move beyond surface-level representation, offering a relatable perspective for trans men and gender-diverse people navigating their own journeys.

Mila Jam (@themilajam)

Mila Jam is an NYC-based pop singer and activist. She has headlined Boston Pride for the People in 2024, released two EPs, in 2018 and 2021, and most recently released a duet with David Hernandez titled “Beautiful” on Valentine’s Day 2026.

Milan Garçon (@milangarcon)

Milan Garçon is an NYC-based influencer and a ballroom performer with the House of Garçon. She is best known for her appearance on Season 2 of Legendary where she performed as a member of the House of Garçon’s team.

Miss Dylan (@missdylann)

Miss Dylan is a New York–based filmmaker, casting director, and model whose work bridges fashion, film, and contemporary culture. After beginning her modeling career at 19, she went on to collaborate with leading photographers and appear in publications including Vogue, The Cut, and Cultured. She later expanded into casting, founding Pulse Casting, before stepping behind the camera as a writer and director. Her short film Sweet Talkin’ Guy, co-written and co-directed with her brother Spencer Wardwell, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2025. Through her evolving creative practice, Miss Dylan brings a distinctive perspective to fashion imagery, storytelling, and the representation of trans women on screen.

Miss Mojo (@mojodisco)

Miss Mojo is a Brooklyn-based rapper. She has released the seven track EP of original music, Juicy, as well as a remix EP of her song “4 the Fem Queens.”

Mohammed Iman (@brohammed)

You may recognize Mohammed Iman’s drawings and their iconic style as they are the resident artist for the staple party Papi Juice. Mohammed’s influence spans far beyond this though, recently having been featured in the Brooklyn Art Museum show ‘The Brooklyn Artists Exhibit’. Mohammed’s art style revels in queer and trans joy, a welcome counterpart to the frequently reproduced stories of trans people featured in mainstream media made for a cis/het audience- Mohammed is truly an artist of and for the community.

Myster E Mel Kiki (@myster_e_mel)

Myster E Mel Kiki is a trans Latinx, nonbinary drag king born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. Known for his magnetic stage presence, expressive lip-syncs, and occasional live vocals, he brings charisma and playful masculinity to queer nightlife. A proud member of the Haus of Kiki and former Mr. Bushwig, Myster E Mel has performed across New York City and beyond, building community through drag, performance, and the celebration of gender-expansive expression. Whether commanding the stage or producing events that spotlight drag king talent, he continues to make space for masculine performance and queer artistry.

Omar Monroy (@eltechichijewelry)

El Techichi Jewelry is the label of Omar Monroy, a jeweler of Ñuu Savi descent. Omar’s work imagines the vibrant ecosystems of Mexico, Indigenous motifs, and contemporary storytelling through a NYC lens. She has been featured in the Museum of Modern Art, Vogue, and Forbes, and through her success has cultivated numerous opportunities for other Indigenous jewelers. She was the Jewelry Director for the first-ever Indigenous New York Fashion Week in 2025, and founded and curated Ndaki-ña, the first all-Indigenous show at NYC Jewelry Week.

Naija Couture (@biblicallyaccuratebutchqueen)

Naija Couture is a Brooklyn-based DJ and transmasc activist. He runs the Trans Masc Directory and Archive which collates various social and medical resources for trans men and transmasc individuals around the world.

Nita Aviance (@djnita)

Nita Aviance is an NYC-based dancer and DJ. She began her career in ballroom in the 1990s with the House of Aviance, before moving into working as a DJ. She is one of the cofounders and co-runners of The Carry Nation, a major NYC nightlife hosting duo.

Odessa Da Gawd (Cain Coleman) (@odessadagawd)

Odessa Da Gawd (stage name of Cain Coleman) is a performance artist and dancer- a choreographer for The Ailey School and a main producer of 2026’s DanceFest, all while being an MFA candidate at NYU. Odessa’s practice straddles the intersections of visual and performance art, theatre, and nightlife entertainment, expertly playing to each crowd and even inviting them on stage at times, all to create a true community experience.

Peppermint (@peppermint247)

The only “RuGirl” to make the list, Peppermint has been a drag icon and NYC staple long before Drag Race, and will continue to be long after it. A massively successful entertainer, Peppermint has made it all the way to Broadway, making history as the first openly trans woman to originate a lead role. Through all her accomplishments, she continues to fight endlessly and tirelessly for trans education and liberation, teaching the children regularly with her podcast Queer 101, co-hosted with historian Hugh Ryan. Despite being undeniably world famous, Peppermint continues to show her loyalty and dedication to the NYC scene, recently writing the foreword for the book Queer Happened Here, about the history of TGNC and queer folx in the city.

Petal Supply (@petalsupplyco)

Petal Supply is a DJ and musical artist of the PC music scene who mixes trance and breakcore stylings with a y2k inspired cuteness to create songs which you’ll be playing on repeat. In 2021 NPR ranked her song “1” as the 22nd best song of the whole year, and she’s only been going up since. You can find her collaborating with icons such as Laura Les, Umru, underscores, Rebecca Black, and more.

Pierce Hughes (@piercehughes)

Pierce Highes is an NYC-based nightlife host and door girl extraordinaire. She was nominated for a GLAM Award in 2023 for her skill as a door girl.

punkal0id / Jasper Felix (@punkal0id)

Punkal0id is an NYC-based DJ. In both NYC and his second home state of Florida, he has spent time advocating for access to treatment for trans youth and young adults.

Raquel Willis (@raquel_willis)

Raquel Willis is an activist, author, and podcaster. She is the founder of Gender Liberation Movement, an organization that fights for the rights of Trans and GNC individuals in the face of state-backed persecution. She is the author of a memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom, detailing her life as a Black trans woman and an activist. She is also the host of the “AfterLives” podcast, documenting the lives of murdered trans women to preserve them in the face of efforts to erase them.

Robert Garcia (@beauty_androgyny)

Robert Garcia is an NYC-based singer-songwriter. She has released two full length albums of her work, BoyGirl in 2019 and Eleven 13 in 2025.

Robert Silk Mason (@robertsilkmason)

Robert Silk Mason is an NYC-based Juilliard-trained ballroom dancer and actor. He is the Founding Mother of the Royal House of Silk. He is currently playing Magical Mister Mistoffelees in the 2026 ballroom-themed revival of Cats, CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

Ruby Sateen (@heavenlydemonmanoloblahnik)

Ruby Sateen is a visual artist and a musician as one half of the band Sateen with Queenie Sateen. Working with trans subject matter, Ruby’s art considers the sexualization and fetishization of trans women, and trans lesbians in particular, while also celebrating their sexuality, physicality, and femininity. She recently had her first solo showing in Los Angeles, Rule 34, after her debut show at Intima, Platypussy, which was some of the best art to come out of NYC in 2024. We all can’t wait to see what Ruby makes next!

Sevyn0000 (@sevyn0000)

Sevyn0000 is an NYC and LA-based DJ and producer, focusing on techno. She has previously done sets for Boiler Room and has an EP out titled typeR

Showponii (@showponii)

Showponii is billed as the “number one work horse of Brooklyn” and that might just be true with the amount of gigs, competitions, and awards he has under his belt. Always turning out both looks and performances, a Showponii show is never one to miss. On top of this, Showponii always advocates for drag kings and things in the scene, and trans representation in show line-ups. It’s no wonder Showponii’s won Drag King of the Year three times in a row at the Glam Awards!

SidewalkKilla / Alexy Kim (@sidewalkkilla)

SidewalkKilla is the photography project of Alexy Kim, a key figure and photojournalist in the documentation of NYC queer nightlife from the inside. SidewalkKilla’s work spans the entirety of the queer scene, from drag kings, queens, and things (both those on and off TV); to Black Trans Liberation Kitchen events, live burlesque shows, and off-the-beaten-path queer performance art. SidewalkKilla prioritizes images of queer beauty and joy, truly illustrating the dynamism and vibrancy of the community.

Soo Intoit (@iamsoointoit)

Soo Intoit is an NYC-based DJ and nightlife host. She is the host of Critical Hit, a trans-centered gaming party held at Trans-Pecos.

Sterling Tull (@sterlingtullnyc)

Sterling Tull is a Brooklyn-based makeup artist. She currently works as an MUA on the Broadway production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. She has previously done makeup for Lady Gaga, Chappel Roan, and Mei Pang.

Sweaty Eddie (@sweatyeddie.tv)

Sweaty Eddie is a New York City–based drag king and performance artist known for his uncanny transformations, irreverent humor, and unapologetically theatrical approach to drag. With television credits including Adult Swim, America’s Got Talent, and Revry, and stage appearances at La MaMa, Sasha Velour’s Nightgowns, and The Box NYC, he brings a distinctive sensibility to queer performance. As a co-producer of The Cake Boys, an eight-time GLAM Award–nominated queer production group, Sweaty Eddie continues to push the boundaries of drag, comedy, and underground nightlife.

Thee Suburbia (@theesuburbia)

Thee Suburbia is an NYC-based drag queen and activist. They regularly perform at various different bars and events across the New York area. They also help fundraise for Black and Caribbean people and their interests around the city.

Tourmaline (@tourmaliiine)

Tourmaline is an artist and activist whose practice centers trans liberation and economic justice for all. She has worked tirelessly to celebrate and educate about the life and work of Marsha P. Johnson, with both her beautiful short film Happy Birthday, Marsha! and her recent book Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson, the first comprehensive biography of the seminal figure. Her artwork has been collected by the MoMA and the Met, among others, and her face has graced the screen of frequent collaborator Arthur Jafa’s legendary piece of video art Love is the Message, the Message is Death. Tourmaline is an artist who truly understands the importance of connecting with our trans and queer ancestors and the beauty of sharing the wisdom they bring us.

Twiggy Pucci Garçon, International Mother of the Legendary House of Garçon (@simplytwiggy)

Twiggy Pucci Garçon is an activist and producer who also serves as the Chief Ambassador for the Center for Black Equity. They are the co-founder of All Tea, No Shade Productions, where they wrote for the ballroom documentary Kiki and produced for the tv show Pose. Beyond film and television, they also recently curated the exhibition Legendary Looks: My Ballroom Story, which centered the artistic and cultural contributions of the ballroom community.

Untitled Queen (@untitledqueen)

Untitled Queen is a drag artist and outspoken activist who combines drag performance with sonic, projection, and poetic artforms. In addition to her own activism and performance, Untitled also runs Untitled Art Star, a drag queen/king/thing competition which gives a spotlight to up and coming alt, artsy drag in Brooklyn. Untitled has been a constant advocate for Palestinian self-determination and indigenous sovereignty everywhere, all while bringing a thoughtful, unique, and visually impactful style to drag performance.

Vera Lee Westwood (@veraleewestwood)

Vera Lee Westwood is an absolutely iconic host in the NYC scene, known as the one and only mother of twinks. The type of girl who will approach you in a bathroom and invite you to a party with absolute legends (herself included). And don’t let her pretty face and teeny waist fool you, she has brains too, with a background in psychology helping her advocate for the importance of the scene to mental health and community building for trans/queer people.

Voxigma Lo (@voxigma.lo)

Voxigma Lo is a drag queen and multidisciplinary artist who uses performance, photography, writing, zinemaking, and more to tell stories of black and queer identity and life. Alongside Julie J and Alexander Paris, Voxigma produces Sylvester, an all-Black experimental drag variety show, which is the longest running all-Black drag show in New York. A native New Yorker, Voxigma has proved herself a staple of the scene no matter what medium she’s working in.

Yên Sen (@yen_sennyyyyyy)

Yên Sen is a Queens-based Vietnamese-American filmmaker and actress. She is currently writing and directing the short film, Good for Him. She played a leading role in the 2025 Sally Tran film, Clementine, and is a cast member of the upcoming Andy Fidoten film, Something You Should Know About Me.

Qween Jean @qweenjean- Qween Jean (@qweenjean)is an award-winning Haitian-born, New York Cit y–based costume designer, artist, and activist whose work celebrates the beauty, creativity, and resilience of Black trans and queer communities. With an MFA in Costume Design from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Jean has designed costumes for theater, film, opera, and dance, bringing history, identity, and cultural expression to the stage. In 2026, Jean made history as the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award, receiving Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a groundbreaking reimagining of the classic musical rooted in ballroom culture. Beyond the stage, Jean founded Black Trans Liberation, an organization dedicated to supporting Black trans and gender-nonconforming communities through mutual aid, advocacy, and community care. Through both artistic vision and grassroots organizing, Jean continues to create spaces where Black trans people are celebrated, protected, and empowered.