Austin church hosts Sunday service drag show called ‘Drag Me to Church’

(ABC 6 NEWS) – One congregation in Austin gathered for church service Sunday morning, but with a twist. This service doubled as a drag show. Roxi, also known as Dylan Kaercher, is the drag queen at the forefront. She’s been performing her whole life.

"Singing, dancing, performing, and looking great doing it," Roxi said of her time on stage.

She also grew up in the church.

"It means so much to see such an outpour of love and support from a community that, growing up, I thought would reject me at first and say that ‘you’re not good enough,’" she said.

Austin Congregational UCC and Spirituality Center is "open and affirming" — meaning they welcome people of all gender and sexual orientations and expressions. The church is what congregation leaders call a "safe space" for the LGBTQ+ community in Austin.

"There is always a need for solidarity. There is always a need for support," said Pastor David Stoeger.

"I think in our community especially there has been a gap," Roxi added.

Roxi, along with church leaders, organized the event.

"What we wanted this to be was a deliberate, intentional welcome to the LGBTQ+ community," Stoeger said.

"Not just in this church all are welcome, but in our community all are welcome," Roxi said.

All donations from the event went to the Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ youth.