This past Wednesday, October 11th, Century College held a Rainbow Breakfast event for National Coming Out Day featuring former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Mercedes Iman Diamond. According to the Century events calendar, Mercedes was the “first openly Muslim drag queen to appear on the long-running hit series.”

Mercedes was interviewed by English faculty Cathy Crea and at the end of the event, Mercedes performed a drag number.

“For me, drag is freedom,” Mercedes said during the interview. It was clear from the responses from the audience that drag is an inspiring artform and that it, indeed, creates a sense of freedom. Some of the students seemed interested in trying drag themselves; one student was curious about drag kings, seemingly with the intention of beginning to experiment with drag.

“I am who I am and you can’t change me,” Mercedes said to the audience during her interview, honestly and bravely. Mercedes Iman Diamond is pioneering the way for other potential young Muslim performers.