With early voting well underway, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada held a decidedly different get-out-the-vote event: a drag show.

While Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada is engaged in more traditional political activities, such as supporting candidates and ballot questions, the main focus of Thursday night’s event at the Emerson in midtown Reno was ensuring attendees had a plan to go to the polls. 

“We’re out here getting our supporters riled up and excited and making sure everybody has a plan to vote and they know where to vote and helping folks navigate the system,” Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada Executive Director Lindsey Harmon said.

Featuring performances by local drag queens Donna Sux and Vertigo, colorful drinks and neon signs, the event also drew advocates promoting  Question 1. 

If passed, that ballot question would adopt expanded language from the Equal Rights Amendment — a federal constitutional amendment that would legally guarantee gender equality — into the Nevada Constitution. Though the ERA has never been adopted into the U.S. Constitution, 26 states have adopted a version of the federal ERA into their state constitutions or other protections against gender discrimination.

Drag queen Donna Sux emphasized the importance of this midterm election in an interview with The Nevada Independent following the event. Donna said that when she is not performing, she is a queer, Black man, and sees voting as a way for people of different backgrounds to protect the rights of people like her.

“It is very important to vote because even if you’re not part of the lowest denominator, you can be a straight white male that’s an ally. You have to not think of yourself,” Donna said.

Organizers explained how to drop off ballots — encouraging people to vote prior to Election Day to avoid long lines — and how to register to vote. They also educated attendees about voting laws specific to Nevada, such as convicted felons being able to vote upon release from prison.

Sherel Collins, an attendee who moved to Reno from Virginia two years ago, said she was drawn to Nevada in part because, like Virginia, it is a “purple” state that swings between voting Democratic and Republican. 

“The greatest weapon you have is the right to be able to vote, and your voice is heard that way,” Collins said.