We love a good transformation—especially when it comes with a killer outfit, a fierce beat, and a message that hits you in the heart. This month, we're shining the spotlight on two queens who are redefining what it means to perform, connect, and represent. Meet Jimmy Linares and Alvaro Garcia, the creative forces behind Deafies in Drag. With a signature blend of American Sign Language, bold comedy, and fabulous drag artistry, they’re serving representation with a side of rhinestones and rewriting the rules of what a drag show can be.

We sat down with Jimmy and Alvaro—joined by Jesse Jacobs, aka local drag favorite Hanna Barbeara, who assisted with ASL interpretation—to talk about their journey, their artistry, and their mission to bring deaf culture and drag into the spotlight, together.

Where Drag Meets Deaf Culture

The origin story of Deafies in Drag is a blend of creativity, representation, and sheer DIY hustle. As Jimmy recalls, the concept started not on the stage, but behind the camera. “We both fell in love with filming, acting, and comedy,” he explains. “When we first met, I was already practicing how to film and edit. I told Alvaro, 'Why don’t you act it out, and I’ll write the scripts?'"

Instead of waiting for representation, they made their own. "We used to say, 'We wish there were more deaf people making funny videos.' And then we thought—why don’t we just be those people? So we started filming sketches and posting them online."

Audiences instantly connected. What started as a creative outlet quickly evolved into live performances, bookings, and eventually, full-scale shows. But Jimmy and Alvaro knew they wanted to do more than just make people laugh. They wanted to make people see.

“We decided to combine traditional drag—lip syncing, costumes, comedy—with ASL to create something new. We wanted to make performances that are accessible and hilarious, that show deaf culture as part of drag culture.”

Discovering Drag

Their personal journeys into drag are as compelling as their performances. Jimmy discovered drag during college, when he stumbled upon an episode of "RuPaul’s Drag Race" on Logo TV.

“At first, I was like, what is this?” he laughs. “Is that a woman? A man? I didn’t understand it—but once I realized it was a form of art, it just clicked. Drag is about transformation. It gave me the idea that we could take our sketches and elevate them. Why not create characters and perform in drag?”

Alvaro, who says his creative passions lie in comedy and storytelling, immediately saw the potential.

“We love making people laugh. I love writing about the lives of deaf people, and drag gave us this incredible new way to tell those stories—through movement, humor, and visuals.”

Drag in ASL: A Whole New Language

If you’ve never seen an ASL performance of a pop song, you’re missing out. Deafies in Drag don’t just translate lyrics—they reimagine them.

“We don’t sign word-for-word,” Jimmy explains. “That would be boring. We interpret the meaning of the lyrics and make them visual. So when Rihanna sings 'Sex in the air, I love the smell of it,' we sign it in a way that shows the smell floating and then savoring it. It makes people laugh—and it sticks with them.”

There’s also plenty of room for audience interaction. One of their signature games involves oversized drag gloves that make it nearly impossible to form signs. Contestants are challenged to sign a word or phrase using the gloves, relying on body movement and exaggerated facial expressions instead.

“It’s hilarious,” says Alvaro. “It helps hearing audiences understand that ASL isn’t just about hands—it’s about expression.”

Balancing Accessibility and Artistry

Putting on a bilingual drag show—in ASL and spoken English—comes with challenges. But Deafies in Drag approach it with the same flair and creativity that defines their art.

“We write scripts for our voice interpreters in advance so they know exactly what to say,” says Jimmy. “We also use projectors during shows to display lyrics or punchlines visually—like karaoke, but queerer.”

The result? A fully accessible show that welcomes both deaf and hearing audiences.

“Deaf people love seeing themselves represented. And hearing people love learning something new. Everybody laughs. Everybody feels included.”

Breaking Barriers, One Venue at a Time

Getting booked wasn’t always easy. Early on, some venues hesitated to include them on the lineup.

“They didn’t know how to communicate with us,” Jimmy recalls. “They assumed it would be hard. But we told them, 'Give us a chance. We’ll bring our own interpreter, we’ll bring our own gear, we’ll make it work.' And we did.”

Once club owners and audiences saw the results, their minds were blown. “Now, they ask us to come back,” says Alvaro. “They realize we can be funny, edgy, sexy—just like any other drag act.”

That visibility matters, especially in a community where deaf performers have often been marginalized. “There are so many assumptions about what deaf people can and can’t do,” Jimmy adds. “We’re proving every day that we can do it all.”

Touring Triumphs

Their biggest achievement so far? Producing and touring their first full-length show: "A Family Night Gone Wrong."

“We did five cities and over 1,000 attendees,” says Jimmy proudly. “We planned, produced, and performed the whole thing ourselves. It was a lot of work—but it was worth every second.”

They’ve also taken their act abroad. “Performing in Germany was wild,” Alvaro laughs. “They use German Sign Language, so we studied a little before we went. Then we mixed it with ASL on stage. The audience loved it.”

Representation Matters

Perhaps the most powerful feedback they receive comes from fans.

“People come up to us and say, 'I never thought deaf people could do drag like that,'” says Jimmy. “Or they say, 'You inspired me to learn sign language.' That means everything to us.”

Others are shocked to discover the performers are deaf at all. “They think deaf people can’t look glamorous,” says Alvaro. “But our makeup, our costumes, our energy—it’s just as fierce. It’s about talent, not hearing.”

And in doing so, Deafies in Drag are changing hearts and minds across two cultures.

“Within the deaf community, we’re helping people engage with pop culture in a fun, accessible way,” Jimmy explains. “And within drag, we’re showing that there’s room for everyone. Drag doesn’t have to be just music and movement—it can be language, it can be visual, it can be anything.”

Advice for Aspiring Deaf Drag Artists

Jimmy and Alvaro are clear: it hasn’t always been easy. But their advice to others trying to follow in their (fabulous) footsteps is simple.

“Just do it,” says Jimmy. “Show your passion. Don’t wait for someone to hand you an opportunity. Make your own.”

Alvaro adds: “There’s always a way around a barrier. Maybe you need an interpreter, maybe you need to teach people how to include you. But don’t let it stop you.”

What’s Next?

Deafies in Drag have no intention of slowing down.

“We’re working on a film,” Jimmy reveals. “And we’re excited to return to video—maybe with short films or longer sketches. We have a lot of ideas.”

They also continue to tour, choosing cities with strong deaf communities and welcoming stages. “We want to perform anywhere people want us,” says Alvaro. “And we adapt each show to fit the place. Sometimes we even learn new sign languages to do it.”

Coming to Las Vegas

When asked what audiences can expect from their upcoming performance at Gipsy Nightclub, Jimmy doesn’t hesitate: “Laughter. Energy. A real show.”

Alvaro chimes in: “You’ll leave having laughed so hard you lose five pounds.”

Expect drag, deaf culture, some risqué jokes, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you sign fluently or not at all, you’re in for a night you won’t forget.

So don’t miss it. Deafies in Drag are here to entertain, educate, and electrify. Drag has always been about self-expression. And Deafies in Drag? They’re turning it all the way up.

Follow them at DeafiesInDrag.com and on social media @deafiesindrag for tour dates, videos, and more.