Beyond the stage: Robyn Valentine builds community through drag

A federal judge ruled Aug. 25 that Texas’ restrictions on certain drag show performances were unconstitutional. The ruling pauses the enforcement of Senate Bill 12, which restricts certain sexually oriented performances on public property or in the presence of minors, and had been temporarily in effect since March while the case was being appealed. For Corpus Christi drag performer and show producer Robyn Valentine, the challenges surrounding drag extend beyond legislation and into the local entertainment industry. “It has been more challenging to find venues willing to work with us,” Valentine said in a June 19 interview. “They’re afraid of…

Texas Democratic Convention: Bernie Sanders speaks on the importance of solidarity

The three-day Texas Democratic Convention had appeared to be the largest Democratic party hosted in Corpus Christi, Texas. The weekend was finalized with a speech from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders has been the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont since 2006 and is the longest-serving independent member of Congress in U.S. history. Since his early career in the civil rights movement protesting segregated campus housing, Sanders has fought for the middle class and equality. Sanders’ speech covered topics surrounding wealth inequality, healthcare costs, housing affordability, and the urgency for political and voting participation. The Hilliard Center arena was filled with…