The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine
The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine
The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine
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Per Sia by Night

A San Francisco Arts Teacher’s Colorful Life
Byline photo of Braelyn Furse
Braelyn Furse, Staff Photographer • February 11, 2025
Braelyn Furse
Per Sia, a 43-year-old transgender woman, drag queen, and educator, spends her weekday afternoons teaching first graders at an after-school art program in San Francisco. She has spent over a decade in the program and even longer as a drag queen. Her life outside of teaching is intermixed with performances and drag story hours, having been the first drag queen to host these now internationally recognized events for children. Drag has been a part of her life for eighteen years, and over the span of almost two decades, she has made an impact on the San Francisco drag scene and even more of an impact on her students. (Photo taken on April 26, 2024.)
Per Sia plays basketball with one of her students at the Children’s After School Arts (CASA). She has been with the program at CASA for over a decade. (Photo taken on April 22, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia holds one of her favorite books, “We Are Water Protectors”, to read to her students. This book is among many others that she reads to children during her drag story hour events. (Photo taken on April 22, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia dances with her students during their weekly cabaret at CASA. (Photo taken on April 26, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia puts on makeup in her bathroom in preparation for a performance at El Rio. Another drag queen who will be performing is Dulce De Leche, pictured in the life-size cutout leaning against the wall. (Photo taken on April 13, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia applies nail glue to a press-on nail. (Photo taken on April 13, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia rubs lipstick off her teeth while preparing for a performance. (Photo taken on April 13, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia rides a Muni bus after a drag story hour at CASA. Public transportation is an essential part of her daily routine, and to her teachings about its importance to her students. (Photo taken on April 26, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia performs at an Art Mart in San Francisco’s Castro District. Like most performances done by drag queens, she lip-syncs to a song. (Photo taken on April 7, 2024.) (Braelyn Furse)
Per Sia hugs her friend Michael McNamara after grand marshaling a pride parade at Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School. (Photo taken on April 26, 2024.)
(Braelyn Furse)
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About the Contributor
Braelyn Furse
Braelyn Furse, Staff Photographer