In my first job, I was told that there is a different world within a corporate office. While we as an individual can have multiple opinions, ideas, presentations and possibilities of expression, within a corporate, we always need to follow a template, just like the beige or grey colours of the corporates logo which only turns rainbow every pride month. I often thought that corporates make all of us think alike bringing a common ground of diversity. I have been working for the past 10 years in multiple companies, sometimes my job reflects to be technical where my mind makes imaginations play with how will I complete my given task in a fast manner, and other times I fall into the scent of the citrus room fresheners which gives accordance that I am entering into a corporate office, where everything looks systematic, and sense of harmony.
But each and every time I entered a corporate space, I use to keep my non-binary self from expressing itself. As usual, All corporates have strict dress code policies and somewhere they aren’t able to draw the line between what they want and what the employee like me want. In my early days, wearing a pink colour would make me pop the eyes of people on the entire floor, eventually highlighting my queerness. However, unlike other queer people around, I was able to overcome all this Disturbia, by dressing up in drag and hitting a safe space right after my work is done, to glam up and be the drag queen I always love to be.
While there are two different worlds, I always believe that there is a lot of chance for them to merge so much so that it disrupts the difference. With years passing by, Corporates are now open to learning and bringing conversations about LGBT inclusion. Though baby steps, more and more trans and gender non-binary people were included and indulged to make the corporate offices not only change logos but also bend the idea of inclusion. While all this is more happing in upper-level talking, there are still a lot of them having a strict dress code. And all I could do is to initiate a change, to distract from just taking to merely doing it right.
Today inclusion efforts are needed to be more visible and human, and I figured out the best way to do this is to employ a human PowerPoint of inclusion, i.e drag queens to lead the conversation of self-expression at work. It all started last to last year’s pride month when a big corporate called me to do a dance show, without a head-up, I dressed up in drag and showed up at the event. As I did, I was able to turn the eyes of the leaders, employees, and working staff who paused their routine job and followed me into a board room meeting, where I addressed the much-needed discussion “how to be inclusive at work”, and the people heard. With this experiment, I ensured to be the PidePiper for people to take action. And If they can accept a drag queen, they can accept any person on earth.
It’s been a wave of change for corporates taking initiatives of queer inclusion in the workspace and also creating catalogues of materials and training to sensitize their employees to overcome the unconscious bias toward LGBTQIA+ employees when they join their workforce. However, one of the main gap seeing in the training space is not creating a model to incorporate experience-based learning. It was this gap that gave me the vision to integrate art and corporate training into one platform. an idea “Why can drag queens become the PPT for gender inclusion training ?”, made me do a new venture. As a drag queen I have been barging into corporate spaces in drag started interacting with employees, and offered training on pronouns, curtailing unconscious bias, gender sensitization workshops, and more. throughout the pride month, I provided more than a dozen of Drag integrated workshops for major corporates like Facebook, Publicist sapient, Wipro, Uber, AGS Health, GVS, Paypal and more. I had also enabled a train-the-trainer program with NHRD and been a part of similar sensitization sessions with other organizations. This model helps in bridging the gap and using art to tell people about gender bias without running them through exhausting inhuman e-learning. the move we integrate art with business, there comes a phase where artists become the driving force of business development.
The power of art in corporate training lies in its ability to humanize sensitive topics, making them relatable and approachable. Traditional e-learnings often feel monotonous and fail to create lasting impressions. In contrast, art, with its vibrancy and creativity, has the capacity to touch hearts and ignite meaningful conversations. By incorporating drag into the training process, we not only encouraged a deeper understanding of gender inclusion but also provided a safe space for open dialogue. The fusion of art and business has proven to be transformative. Artists, including drag queens, have emerged as the driving force behind this revolution in corporate development. We have shattered stereotypes and challenged conventional norms, fostering an environment that celebrates diversity and welcomes everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. As my journey as a drag queen in corporate training progressed, I delved deeper into exploring the potential of this unique approach. I started creating and delivering different training modules on what I called “Business Drag.” These modules encompassed a diverse range of topics, aiming to educate and diversify the workforce.
One of the key modules I developed was “Gender 101,” a comprehensive training session that offered insights into the complexities of gender identity and expression. Through interactive activities and discussions, employees gained a deeper understanding of the diverse spectrum of gender, fostering an inclusive and accepting workplace culture. Another essential module was the “SO-GIE Training” (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression). This module aimed to educate employees about the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with different sexual orientations and gender identities. It empowered the workforce to be more empathetic and supportive of their LGBTQIA+ colleagues, thus promoting a harmonious work environment.
A critical aspect of the training was “Queer Inclusive Language Training,” where I highlighted the significance of using appropriate and respectful language when referring to individuals of different gender identities and sexual orientations. This module emphasized the importance of language in creating an inclusive workplace and avoiding unintentional harm caused by miscommunication. However, the incorporation of drag into corporate training went beyond just gender and inclusion modules. I discovered that drag could be an effective tool for teaching other crucial skills, such as customer service and call centre training. By using the concept of gender variant role-playing, I provided employees with practical examples of how drag and customer service principles could complement each other. This approach not only made the training more engaging but also enabled employees to grasp the concepts more effectively.
Inspired by the success of the gender-variant role-playing technique, I ventured into exploring new ways to revolutionize adult learning in STEM fields. I introduced a novel STEM-based adult learning technique, where drag analogies were used to explain complex concepts. This innovative approach saved participants from tedious hours of traditional training, making learning exciting, memorable, and relevant to real-world scenarios.
As a product specialist, I eagerly looked for opportunities to integrate drag into agile methodology and product management training. By utilizing drag as a product analogy, I could effectively teach the product lifecycle and demonstrate how being adaptable and embracing change fit into the agile framework. This unique perspective allowed employees to view their roles in a new light, enhancing their understanding of their impact on product development. Throughout the year, I performed in over 12 different corporate offices, each experience unique and tailored to the company’s specific needs. For some organizations, I provided regular training on SOGIE and Gender 101, promoting awareness and acceptance. In other instances, I chose to take a different approach, introducing games like “Drag Bingo” and hosting “Lip Sync Competitions.” Through these engaging activities, employees stepped into the shoes of a queer person, fostering empathy, togetherness, and teamwork in a more profound and impactful manner.
.I look forward to the day when the idea of “Business Drag” becomes a mainstream practice, transcending industries and geographical boundaries, driving positive change, and fostering inclusivity in every workspace. As I continue to paint this colourful canvas of change, I am excited to see what the future holds, and I am confident that the power of art, paired with corporate training, will lead us to a more diverse, empathetic, and progressive world. In this journey of art and corporate collaboration, we have witnessed corporate employees embracing empathy, understanding, and compassion. By integrating the art of drag into gender inclusion training, we have given rise to a new era of employee engagement and growth, I am reminded of the profound quote by the legendary artist Pablo Picasso: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” In our case, art has washed away the dust of unconscious bias, leaving behind a canvas of acceptance and inclusion.
The journey has just begun, and the possibilities are endless. As more organizations embrace this unconventional approach to training, we move closer to a future where art and corporate synergy will lead us to a more inclusive world. A world where individuals can bring their whole selves to work without fear of judgment or discrimination. Let us continue to celebrate diversity, empower artists, and break down barriers in the corporate world. Together, we can create a harmonious blend of art and business that fosters genuine understanding, compassion, and progress. The stage is set, the spotlight is shining bright, and the show goes on!