Meet Elsie Saldaña, one of the oldest drag kings in the U.S. She shares her inspiring journey from male impersonator to embracing drag king identity. Explore the challenges faced by drag kings in the drag community and the empowering impact of their performances. Learn about the legacy of Sequoia Empire Court in Fresno and the personal experiences of drag kings in navigating joy and struggles in their performances.
Elsie Saldaña challenges traditional drag norms as one of the oldest drag kings in the U.S.
Her enduring legacy showcases resilience and influence in the evolving landscape of drag performance.
Deep dives
Kamala Harris: Past and Future
Vice President Kamala Harris gains party support after Biden steps back from the 2024 race. Despite low visibility and popularity, she secures party delegates, prompting a closer look at her background, accomplishments, and potential as a presidential candidate.
Elsie Saldana: The Drag King Legacy
Elsie Saldana, also known as El Danya, pioneered drag king performance since 1965 in Fresno, challenging traditional drag norms. Facing hurdles like aged limitations and mainstream visibility, she reflects on her career, personal struggles, and the evolving landscape of drag performance that includes Drag Race and diverse drag king expressions.
Aldanya's Last Performance
Aldanya's journey culminates in a Fresno State drag show fundraiser where old and new styles intersect. Supported by the LGBTQ community, she rediscovers her passion for performance and envisions a continued presence on stage despite changing drag aesthetics. This marks a new chapter in her enduring legacy as a resilient and influential drag king performer.
For decades now, drag queens have captured the national imagination. Drag kings, on the other hand, have been relegated to a less prominent position in pop culture. But today on the show, we're telling the story of one Elsie Saldaña — aka El Daña. As someone who started performing in drag in 1965, she's now considered one of the oldest drag kings still performing in the U.S. Over the course of her long performance career, many forces have converged that could have stopped her from taking to the stage. But today, almost 60 years after her debut, she hasn't stopped yet.