Blog - Drag Makes a Difference 2026

Drag Makes a Difference 2026

A Night of Joy, Inclusion, and Community Impact in Chicago

Last week, the Chicago marketing and advertising community came together for the second annual Drag Makes a Difference, hosted by Givsly in partnership with the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA). The night brought the industry together at Roscoe's Tavern for an evening of drag, connection, and community, all in support of local LGBTQ+ nonprofits.

typical industry happy hour. It was a shared experience built on the belief that impact lands hardest when people show up for it together.

Performances That Brought the House Down

This year's lineup featured Chicago's own Shea Couleé, a Drag Race All Stars champion and cultural trailblazer who has taken her artistry from the global drag scene to the Marvel Universe, and Kimberly Summer, a local nightlife legend known for turning out some of Boystown's favorite weekly parties. Together, they anchored a night of performances that set the tone for everything that followed.

Ahead of the main event, a small group of lucky attendees also got the chance to meet Shea Couleé in person at an exclusive VIP meet and greet, a new addition to this year's program.

A Room Full of Participants, Not Just Spectators

Drag Makes a Difference was built to pull attendees into the action, not just have them watch from the sidelines. Two rounds of Pride and pop culture trivia tested the room's knowledge, with every correct answer earning a Visa gift card. The Audience Lip Sync Showdown gave attendees their own shot at the spotlight, with winners taking home $500 and runners-up walking away with $100.

The result was a room where connection happened everywhere at once: on stage, at the bar, over trivia, and in between performances.

Powered by Partners Who Showed Up

This year's event was made possible by a group of sponsors who did more than put their name on a step and repeat. Big Happy, CivicScience, Glance by InMobi, Paramount Advertising, PayPal Ads, StackAdapt, Teads, and Vevo each played a role in bringing the night to life, alongside CIMA as industry partner. Before taking the stage, sponsors were asked to share something more personal than a standard pitch: why they showed up, and what values-based marketing actually means to them. That intent-first approach shaped how the night felt from start to finish.

Turning Competition Into Impact

Beyond the performances and programming, Drag Makes a Difference was built to deliver real impact for Chicago's LGBTQ+ community. Together, attendees, sponsors, and partners raised $15,000 in support of three organizations doing critical, on-the-ground work:

Brave Space Alliance, which provides mutual aid and essential services for Black, Brown, Trans, and LGBTQ+ individuals on the South Side of Chicago
Center on Halsted, which offers comprehensive health, housing, and wellness programs for the LGBTQ+ community across Chicagoland
The GenderCool Project, which champions positive, thriving transgender and non-binary youth to change hearts and minds nationwide

Pride Is Not a Moment. It's a Commitment.

Drag Makes a Difference is a reminder that Pride doesn't live in a single month on a calendar. It's a commitment that deserves visibility and support all year long.

To everyone who joined us in Chicago, performers, partners, sponsors, and attendees alike, thank you for showing up with intention and joy. We're already looking ahead to next year.