Julian Castronovo (they/them/theirs) is a senior staff attorney at a nonprofit in Brooklyn where they provide holistic civil legal services to low-income queer and trans New Yorkers, including representation in anti-discrimination suits, Social Security and other public benefit hearings, as well as in eviction, immigration, and name change proceedings. Julian believes their role as an attorney is simply to ensure that queer and trans people have access to basic needs so they can focus on thriving and building the world we deserve outside of the repressive and oppressive legal system. Outside of their work, they are a parent to three cats and are an avid Bravo fan (#scandoval).

NYC legend, comedian, host, and international entertainer Murray Hill is a relentless shtick slinger, larger-than-life personality, and freewheeling ad-libber. He plays Fred Rococo in Bridget Everett’s Somebody Somewhere (HBO). The show was awarded many “Best of 2022” Awards, including “Best New TV Series” from AFI. He can be seen on Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth and guest-starred on Welcome to Flatch (FOX). This summer, he hosts the new competition show Drag Me To Dinner (Hulu) and will be seen in Paul Feig’s movie Grand Death Lotto (Amazon Studios) starring John Cena and Awkwafina. He performed his solo comedy show at Just for Laughs, New York Comedy Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Murray was awarded the New York Voices commission from Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, where he debuted About to Break. His infamous holiday show A Murray Little Christmas has also been a perennial sold-out destination there for a decade. For 10 years, Murray hosted Dita Von Teese’s international tour Strip Strip Hooray. He starred for two seasons at the Sydney Opera House in Club Swizzle, which toured major festivals. He’s in music videos for Peaches, Countess Luann, TV on the Radio, The Regrettes, Joan as Police Woman, Bridget Everett, and Gossip. The New York Times anointed Murray “Downtown’s New ‘It’ Boy.” He’s been included in “Best of New York” lists in the Village Voice, Time Out, PAPER, and New York Magazine; inducted into PAPER’s Nightlife Hall of Fame; selected as OUT’s Top 100 influential performers twice; included in New York Magazine’s “Fifty Most Iconic Gender Benders of All Time” and PAPER’s “Top Ten ‘It’ Boys in NYC Nightlife History”; and named one of the Top 12 gender-bending performers in NYC by Time Out. He was recently awarded the Trailblazer Award by Queerty. His campaign for Mayor of New York in 1996 was inducted into the New York Historical Society.

La Zavaleta was raised in Mexico City and pulls inspiration from her time there for her drag. She competed in the fourth season of The Boulet Brothers Dragula, and was crowned Miss Bushwig 2021. She is the host of the weekly competition BITCH FEST at C'mon Everybody, a show that allows artists to express themselves with a full twist to allow them to grow in the industry.

Paris L’Hommie is a multifaceted artist who specializes in the art forms of drag and burlesque. A triple threat with an eye for fashion, Paris is known to sport many different artistic looks. Her super modelesque body will have you unable to keep your eyes off her. Paris uses burlesque as an act of defiance in the face of oppression. By bearing her unashamed Black queer body, she is showing that the beauty of queer Black people should not be hidden, but in fact, celebrated.

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) lifts up the voices of the people in the debates that shape New York City. Through Advocacy, Preservation, Planning, and Public Programming, MAS leads the way toward a more livable city from sidewalk to skyline. MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life—where growth is balanced, character endures, and a resilient future is secured. For 130 years our advocacy efforts have led to the creation of the NYC Planning Commission, Public Design Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Tribute in Light; the preservation of Grand Central Terminal, the lights of Times Square, and the Garment District; the conservation of more than 50 works of public art; and the founding of such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy, and the Waterfront Alliance. The Life Is Drag event is part of MAS’s upcoming Enduring Culture Initiative, which aims to document, celebrate, and preserve NYC’s diverse intangible cultural heritage.

Learn more: https://www.mas.org/