Father's Day 2023: How drag queen NAIA fosters a more accepting relationship with her dad

For anyone in the LGBT+ community, coming out to their parents is one of the most challenging moments in their lives.

For some, coming out is a liberating experience that brings them closer to their loved ones. For others, it's a painful and traumatic experience that causes damage to their relationships.

It's important to remember that everyone's journey is different; there is no right or wrong way to come out.

For "Drag Den" winner NAIA, coming out was unnecessary. "I didn't [come out]. They kinda knew, especially during college because that was when I started doing drag," NAIA told GMA News Online at the Brow-Mazing Drag Brunch in Butterboy Quezon City.

It doesn't mean her relationship to her parents was always smooth sailing, though. The 26-year-old drag queen, whose real name is Brian, said it was challenging in the beginning, especially when he started getting into drag. NAIA is the eldest son, after all.

Luckily her parents came around.

"They eventually accepted it," NAIA said with a smile. "With the help of my mom, my dad became more open and accepting."

She recalls the moment her dad, Mike Black, fully accepted her: It was in December 2019, when NAIA joined her first drag competition at a drag bar in BGC.

"He wanted to have a photo with me," NAIA said, clearly relishing the memory.

"That was my first time competing, first time in full drag, and they were all out supporting me," she added.

NAIA has since carried an additional boost of confidence, knowing that wherever drag takes her, she has the sweet support of her family.

In fact, during NAIA's graduation from the University of the Philippines, she wore her Sablay in full drag, and her dad proudly posted it on Facebook for the whole world to see.

"Two years after his virtual graduation, Brian finally got his chance to wear his sablay today," Mike said in the caption of his Facebook post.

In 2021, NAIA took her shot at "Drag Den Philippines," a reality drag competition series created and directed by Rod Singh and hosted by Manila Luzon.

NAIA humbly admitted that when she joined the competition, she was among those still inexperienced in terms of performing drag in bars and other usual locations. But there was nothing to lose, so she powered through.

She eventually bested the competition to become the first-ever winner of "Drag Den Philippines," a sweet and validating victory for NAIA, who started in the competition as the lowest-ranking queen.

"Drag Den" took place during "the pandemic, the lockdown era," Naia said as she recalled how her dad really helped her "with logistics like driving me to places to get materials and stuff."

"My family was fully supporting me [in Drag Den]. At that time, naaawa pa nga sila sa 'kin kasi I was so stressed out,” she said.

According to the drag queen, she's well aware that her dad doesn't fully understand the whole concept of drag, but his support is enough.

"I don't think my dad fully understands what I'm doing, but I know he's supporting me in his own way, and he tries to understand," she said.

"Actually, he wants me to give him a drag transformation one of these days, so bongga 'yun!" she added.

While the support of her family, especially her father, has always been there, NAIA acknowledges she still has a lot of growing up to do in terms of her relationship with her father.

"I think I have a lot of growing up to do as well, especially with my relationship with my dad, but I think a lot of queer boys feel the same way," she said.

"My relationship with my dad may not be perfect, but it's one that is worth working towards, and hopefully, everyone gets to experience that as well," she expounded.

As a voice of inspiration, NAIA advised young queer kids to take their time about coming out.

"Take your time, and trust your family will be there for you. That's the best possible case," she said.

"Worst case, you can always have your found families, but I really wish for all the LGBT kids out there that their dads support them because when you have the support of your father, it just feels complete," she added.

NAIA stressed that when love and support are incorporated into drag, it can turn into something beautiful.

"As a drag queen, we're in the business of inspiration, so when you have the full support of your family, especially with someone you had a rocky relationship with from the past, you'll feel unstoppable," she said.

NAIA ended our short but insightful conversation by greeting her dad with a Happy Father's Day.

"Happy Father's Day, Daddy! I'm so happy that we are working towards a better relationship. We're not exactly the most vocal when it comes to our feelings, but knowing that you support me 100% in what I'm doing gives me the strength to keep going on," she ended.

—MGP/LA, GMA Integrated News