the journal
Queen’s University
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Vol. 153, Issue 2
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M o n day , j u n e 3 0 , 2 0 2 5
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Situated on the
traditional lands of
the Anishinaabe and
Haudenosaunee peoples.
Since 1873
University staff Keith McNinch finds community and liberty in drag
Persona Shocktea Bubblegum brings creativity, connection, and colour to the Queen’s community Kaliyha Dennis, Assistant News Editor
After years of planning events behind the scenes, Keith McNinch is stepping into the spotlight, this time, in heels. As a Queen’s staff member and creative spirit for almost 10 years, McNinch, events and operations coordinator for the University, has found a new creative outlet through drag persona Shocktea Bubblegum. In an interview with The Journal, McNinch explains he aims to blend storytelling through original music and a persona that reflects both personal transformation and community empowerment. “Shocktea’s not just a drag queen, she’s the vessel for all this creative energy I’ve carried through my life,” McNinch said. Originally from Chicago, McNinch has lived in Canada for over 21 years. McNinch and his husband were drawn to the slower pace of life, moving from Toronto event planning to growing lavender on his husband’s generational farm. Whenbefore McNinch
Queen’s places first in canada and sixth globally in impact rankings University retains first place position in Zero Hunger Jonathan Reilly, Senior News Editor A mix of student-led projects and faculty research helped Queen’s climb to sixth globally in the 2025 Impact Rankings.
ultimately landed a job at Queen’s, something he described it as if as feeling like “the universe had aligned.” Over time, McNinch became deeply connected to the Kingston community through local farmers, local Musicians and what he calls his “LGBTQ family.” He credits these overlapping communities, especially the LGBTQ+ community at Queen’s, with inspiring and encouraging his journey into drag. Keith first experimented with drag during a Halloween costume contest when he debuted a younger version of Shock Tea Bubblegum, inspired by Princess Bubblegum from Adventure Time. While originally intended to be a lighthearted costume contest with his husband, McNinch described the feeling of the crowd when he won, sparking something Keith McNinch in his drag persona. within him which inspired him to keep building the character in said. “Hopefully, Shocktea can open the future. people up to new perspectives, and When asked about his also take a look at their identity […] motivation to continue doing drag, and try to enhance their vision of Keith said he wants to inspire who they are.” others to embrace self-expression Reflecting on whether he felt in their own ways. He sees drag as hesitant about sharing his drag a creative outlet that allows long- persona with colleagues at Queen’s, buried feelings to surface, emotions McNinch admitted to feeling slightly that might not find space in day-to- nervous at first, but ultimately, he explained the experience was day work life. “So I’m doing that [drag] for liberating. He attributes this sense myself, but I also think, through of liberation comfort to the support the character of Shocktea, I’m he received from the Queen’s trying to do that for others,” he community, including colleagues
who came to his drag performances, such as Shelagh Rogers, the University’s , Queens Universities’ own Chancellor. “She came to my show in April at the Grad Club. It [The Drag Performance] was about to be cancelled, but there was Shelagh Rogers with my friends up in the front, and that was amazing.” McNinch also spoke about how his friendships with professors and educators across different fields at Queen’s enriched his experience with drag.
national and international ranking. T h e University hasparticipated in the Impact Rankings since its inception in 2020, with a group of staff and faculty Rankings were released June 18. PHOTO BY JASHAN DUA c o m p r i s i n g The Time’s Higher Education various initiatives and projects (THE) Impact Rankings are taking place at the University to be an annual ranking evaluating considered in its evaluation. institutions around the world on In the overall impact rankings, their commitments to the 17 United Queen’s rose from eighth Nations Sustainable Development worldwide in 2024 to sixth in the Goals (SDGs). The analysis with world this year. The University was this year’s list released on June 18 most successful in SDG 2—Zero provides a ranking of individual Hunger, placing first worldwide. SDGs, as well as an overall Queens’ also placed second in
both SDG 14—Life Below Water and SDG 16—Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, while ranking in the top ten twice more, including a fourth-place finish in SDG 11— Sustainable Cities and Communities and a sixth-place finish in SDG 15— Life on Land. With food security an issue for one in three Kingstonian families, with Graduate students being particularly effected, the University outlined some of its initiatives that landed it first in SDG 2—Zero Hunger. In a Queen’s Gazette article, the University cited both faculty projects, including a research initiative aiming to develop natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers, as well as student led ones, such as Queen’s Vertical Farming Teams project creating Canada’s first
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY KEITH
Meechan: Queen’s paints new Pride Crosswalk
Journal Board: Teaching about queerness should’t be restricted
OPINIONS — PAGE 6
Ella Marrie Campeau: Society’s forgetting Bisexual people
Taahaa Lone: GDSAA welcomes 2SLGBTQIA+ Gaels
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NEWS — PAGE 3
EDITORIALS — PAGE 5
SPORTS — PAGE 9
“It’s also funny how friends that I’ve made all seem to have areas of interest that are intriguing to me, like physics, neuroscience, and religion. We had several areas in the show, it’s unifying, because it’s something that people from so many walks of life can enjoy, and even participate in if they want to, without having to make it their whole life.” Now, McNinch is working on producing and performing original music, and he hopes to bring this work to Kingston stages, and eventually collaborate with the arts community at Queen’s. As for his advice for students or others who may be interested in exploring drag, Keith’s first tip was to simply “hit up the thrift store.” But more importantly, he emphasized the value of community, adding how if you go out and look for it, there’s many supportive and welcoming people in Kingston. “Kingston is so welcoming, and there’s already an infrastructure to put on shows. If you reach out and look for it, there are so many supportive people.” For those who may feel hesitant or afraid, he recommended attending the Open Stage Drag Show at The Grad Club, which takes place the first Wednesday of every month at 8 PM and is hosted by Rowena Whey.
vertical farm designed by a postsecondary institution. , that grows plants without soil. In an interview with The Journal, Principal and ViceChancellor Patrick Deane stressed that while success in the rankings can be beneficial for Queen’s overall reputation, the rankings’ importance goes beyond that. “They are really helpful in that they provide you with a framework for interpreting the work that goes on in the University, and that means you can assess how much difference you’re making on those big global issues, and you can also organize yourself to be more effective,” Deane said. Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
POSTSCRIPT — PAGE 12 Eden Natovitch - My hair’s role in self-discovery and sexuality @thequeensjournal