Kyle (Alexander the Queen) Supporting The Center!

Hey everyone!

Most of you know me as Kyle Norman, and if you’ve been to any drag shows lately, you definitely know me as Alexander the Queen. Since January 2025, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity.

I’m reaching out because it’s Give Big Kern time!!!

Give Big Kern is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and I want to share a bit about the why I became involved with the Center and the impact it has had on me.

For a long time, my relationship with Kern County was quite complicated. Being a drag performer here has shaped my life in ways I cannot fathom, but it’s not always the easiest path. Back in 2024, after a show, I was physically assaulted by two men in the alley way next to a club here in Bakersfield, a club I had performed at countless times prior that has never felt very safe, but unfortunately, it was (and remains) one of the only places to perform at as a drag artist at the time. Getting jumped was a wake up call and the darkest moment of my life, and the need for safety and community is what truly pushed me toward finding support at the Center.

Reconnecting with this community completely changed my life. It stopped being about just getting by in Bakersfield, and started being about building a version of this city where we don’t have to hide. The Center gave me and my drag a new sense of belonging and a belief that we can actually make this place a home for everyone.

Why I’m asking for your help:

Kern County isn't always the most progressive place, and safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks aren't just a want, they are a need; for many of our youth and adults, the Center is truly one of the only spots where humans can be safe, be free and be queer.

Your donation goes directly toward:

• Programs that Work: From youth and young adult groups to adult advocacy, we’re providing the connection and education that keeps our community strong, including mental health services, peer support groups, community health resources and much more

• Local Activism: We’re making sure our rights and well being as 2SLGBTQIA+ people stay on the map in Kern County

• A Real Home: Keeping a physical space open where anyone can walk in and feel respected and seen; a place to work, thrive and continue doing the work we do as a non-profit. 

My journey from that night in 2024 to sitting on this Board today was made possible because the Center was there to support me. I want to make sure that every queer person in our county has that same support system, whether they’re just starting their journey or they’ve been here for years.

Please consider donating to my page. Every bit helps us prove that pride and community belong right here in Kern County.

Thank you for supporting me, Alexander the Queen, and the future of the Center!

XOXO, 

Kyle Norman / Alexander the Queen