Seoyeon Kim ‘26
On February 20, 2025, St. Mark’s had the privilege of inviting Gray Colloquium speaker, Desmond Napoles, also known as Desi—a multi-award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, genderfluid model, designer, performer, and author.
Desi began their public journey at just seven years old, making their professional drag debut in Jinkx Monsoon's music video for "The Bacon Shake." Since then, they have amassed a significant social media presence, with over 137,000 followers on Instagram, and have been featured in The New York Times, NBC News, and Teen Vogue. Desi continues to use their platform to challenge stereotypes and create space for LGBTQ+ youth, proving that you are never too young to change the world.
From walking the runway at New York Fashion Week to founding the first drag house for young performers, Desi has continuously pushed boundaries in fashion, performance, and advocacy. Furthermore, their children’s book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, empowers young people to embrace their identities.
In an exclusive interview, Desmond, now 17, reflected on their journey, the challenges they’ve faced and their hopes for the future.
Reflecting on their early years in drag, Desmond credited their mother’s love for RuPaul’s Drag Race as their introduction to the art form. “Drag was a way of showing a character, but in reality, that character was who I really was,” they explained. “It helped me express myself and find out who I truly am.”
Their visibility as a young LGBTQ+ advocate has been life-changing for both themselves and for others. “When I started getting messages from kids saying they didn’t feel so alone anymore, that’s when I realized I was making a difference,” they shared.
Despite their impact, Desmond has faced challenges from criticism about their age to legislative pushback. “People tell me I’m too young to be doing this, but I just stay true to who I am. If I disappear into the shadows, I’m giving the people who pass these laws exactly what they want.”
Social media has been both a tool and a disturbance. “Online bullying can be worse than real-life bullying,” Desmond admitted. “But I try to focus on the positives—being able to inspire others and show them that they’re not alone.”
Their book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, carries that same message. “I wanted LGBTQ+ youth to see it in their library and know that there are others like them.”
Looking ahead, Desmond hopes to pursue law and politics while reigniting their passion for drag. “I definitely think I can be more expressive with my fashion and do more performances.”
Their advice for students at St. Mark’s? “Treat others how you want to be treated. Don’t let others take you down, and don’t take others down for being themselves.”