Nellis Air Force Base throws first-ever ‘Drag-u-Nellis’ drag show

A Nevada Air Force base hosted the first “Drag-u-Nellis” drag show in its history this month, said to be “an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and significance of drag performance art within the LGBT+ community.” 

Nellis Air Force Base, located 14 miles northeast of Las Vegas, said in a statement that the event took place at one of its on-base dining and entertainment clubs last Thursday.

An invitation shared to Twitter the day after the event listed Nellis Club as the event space and Nellis Top 3 as the hosts.

The invite also read: “Discover the significance of Drag in the LGBT+ Community.”

The event was timely, given that it occurred during Pride Month.

The group’s private Facebook page says they aim to “enhance the morale, esprit de corps, of all enlisted personnel assigned to the [99th Air Base] Wing and to facilitate cooperation between members of the top three enlisted grades.”

The Nellis Club offers a “versatile dining and entertainment experience for all its members,” according to the Nellis Force Support Squadron website.

In his statement, Nellis spokesman Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry said the event “was sponsored by a private organization and provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and significance of drag performance art within the LGBT+ community.”

The private organization in question is the Nellis Air Force Base Pride committee. The committee focuses on diversity and inclusion initiatives and consists of volunteers from across the base.

“Ensuring our ranks reflect and are inclusive of the American people is essential to the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the military,” his statement continued. “Nellis Air Force Base is committed to providing and championing an environment that is characterized by equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion.”

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