So, what is Drag ‘n Tag, exactly?
Drag ‘n Tag is an annual fundraiser spearheaded by Field School’s very own Jake Jerome and our incredible headliner, Miss Toto, which invites people to come shark tagging with our science team and an amazing group of drag queens. It raises money for a fantastic organization supporting and providing resources to LGBTQ+ young people in Miami (more on that below). For transparency, it’s important to us that you know that all of Field School’s resources and staff time for this event each year are donated, including vessel time and fuel—every penny we raise goes directly to support our partner organization.
Why do you organize it?
The wider Field School family, including members of our team, students, and scientific collaborators, includes people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and here in Florida that community has recently been under attack. It’s deeply important to us to publicly show our support for our friends, students, and colleagues, and to openly challenge anyone who wants to deny their fundamental right to be fully themselves and to love the people they love.
While Field School has scholarship programs intended to provide field opportunities to early career LGBTQ+ scientists, we also wanted to find ways to give back directly to our wider community here in Miami. Years ago, members of our team were fortunate to work with a young graduate student in shark science named Rock Evans (they/them), better known in this context as Miss Toto. Rock has co-led and organized this event for three years as a way to bring together two of the communities they love—marine science nerds and drag queens—to help LGBTQ+ youth.
Who does it benefit?
All the funds raised by Drag ‘n Tag go to Pridelines, a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Miami founded by gay and bisexual youth for LGBTQ youth and their allies. They offer so many amazing programs, from providing physical and mental healthcare, to community support groups and events, to Project SAFE, which provides resources to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. We are so proud to play a small role in supporting the amazing work they do, and we hope you’ll join us!
How can I get involved if I can’t join you to go shark tagging?
If you can’t come shark tagging with us in September, you can still help support Pridelines! We’d love it if you donate directly to our fundraiser (any amount helps!). We’re also grateful to folks for sharing the fundraiser on social media!
Wait, why does the donation link take me to Minorities in Shark Science?
Valid question! Field School is a small organization, and we don’t have the software or capability to accept donations or sell tickets, since this is a type of event we only run once per year. Our friends at Minorities in Shark Science volunteered their back-end logistical support so we wouldn’t have to spend money on software that would take away from what we raise for Pridelines. We really appreciate their help!
Drag ‘n Tag is an annual fundraiser spearheaded by Field School’s very own Jake Jerome and our incredible headliner, Miss Toto, which invites people to come shark tagging with our science team and an amazing group of drag queens. It raises money for a fantastic organization supporting and providing resources to LGBTQ+ young people in Miami (more on that below). For transparency, it’s important to us that you know that all of Field School’s resources and staff time for this event each year are donated, including vessel time and fuel—every penny we raise goes directly to support our partner organization.
Why do you organize it?
The wider Field School family, including members of our team, students, and scientific collaborators, includes people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and here in Florida that community has recently been under attack. It’s deeply important to us to publicly show our support for our friends, students, and colleagues, and to openly challenge anyone who wants to deny their fundamental right to be fully themselves and to love the people they love.
While Field School has scholarship programs intended to provide field opportunities to early career LGBTQ+ scientists, we also wanted to find ways to give back directly to our wider community here in Miami. Years ago, members of our team were fortunate to work with a young graduate student in shark science named Rock Evans (they/them), better known in this context as Miss Toto. Rock has co-led and organized this event for three years as a way to bring together two of the communities they love—marine science nerds and drag queens—to help LGBTQ+ youth.
Who does it benefit?
All the funds raised by Drag ‘n Tag go to Pridelines, a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Miami founded by gay and bisexual youth for LGBTQ youth and their allies. They offer so many amazing programs, from providing physical and mental healthcare, to community support groups and events, to Project SAFE, which provides resources to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. We are so proud to play a small role in supporting the amazing work they do, and we hope you’ll join us!
How can I get involved if I can’t join you to go shark tagging?
If you can’t come shark tagging with us in September, you can still help support Pridelines! We’d love it if you donate directly to our fundraiser (any amount helps!). We’re also grateful to folks for sharing the fundraiser on social media!
Wait, why does the donation link take me to Minorities in Shark Science?
Valid question! Field School is a small organization, and we don’t have the software or capability to accept donations or sell tickets, since this is a type of event we only run once per year. Our friends at Minorities in Shark Science volunteered their back-end logistical support so we wouldn’t have to spend money on software that would take away from what we raise for Pridelines. We really appreciate their help!