Drag queens hit the streets to register voters

In front of a single lighted mirror, "Kylie Minono" is meticulously applying shades of foundation, powder, eye and lip liner. But today, she's more than getting into character, she's getting people to vote.

San Francisco's Afrika America and Kylie Minono are so-called 'drag ambassadors' of 'Drag Out The Vote' - a nonpartisan, nonprofit, nationwide initiative, blending their art with their civic duty.

The pair hit the streets recently to urge on-lookers to register.

The organization's mission is to educate, register, and turn out voters with the art and activism of drag.

Kylie Minono, decked out in a faded pink wig, leopard blouse and rainbow mask, says a lot is on the line in the upcoming election.

KYLIE MINONO: "So we have a lot of work to do to engage young voters, LGBTQI voters, voters of color, people who have normally, historically felt disenfranchised, and I think drag is the best way to do that because people are excited about drag in our country and people respond to it."

AFRIKA AMERICA: "We are going to go ahead and get you registered to vote, virtually. You don't even have to touch us. We don't have to touch you, which is the best part."

For her drag sister, Afrika America, voting is paramount in this election.

AFRIKA AMERICA: "Voting, it is the No. 1 right that you have as a citizen. You know, I always tell people that Martin and Rosa didn't sit on the back to that bus and Martin didn't die for us not to vote... We are noticing and you've noticed that some of our equal protections and things have been rolled back and we are really out here fighting for our trans brothers and trans sisters' lives. So what we want to do is get you really involved in fighting."

Jackie Huba founded the organization. She drew inspiration from "Phi Phi O'Hara" of RuPaul's Drag Race, who led a drag benefit for Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts.

JACKIE HUBA: "So for the main goals of Drag Out the Vote, we are trying to turn out the LGBTQ vote, queer voters of color, and all of our allies across America. Now here's the sad fact: 1 in 5 LGBTQ adults is not registered to vote. And 100 million people did not vote in the 2016 election. And even worse, youth voter turnout had historic high in the 2018 midterms of only 35 percent. We really need to fix this."

They're doing live in-person shows when and where possible but also digital shows as well.

In addition to voter registration, the Drag Ambassadors also encourage voters to make a plan to vote, whether by absentee ballot, early voting, or making time to vote in person on Election Day.

Drag Out The Vote will host a 'Divas For Democracy -- United We Slay' virtual show on October 18th, featuring Allison Janney, drag stars Bianca Del Rio and Alaska, and Broadway performers. Tickets are "donate what you can" and proceeds benefit Drag Out The Vote's get-out-the-vote efforts in 2020 and beyond.