Last June, a Gainesville couple received an email about a casting opportunity for a makeover experience for gay dads.
Multiple interviews and an NDA later, Hector and Derek Del Valle were cast on a special episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars titled “Too Many Daddies,” which highlights the importance of queer families.
The episode aired June 5, and each dad was paired with — and made over by — one of the season’s participating drag performers.
Derek, a 33-year-old implementation specialist at the UF Literacy Institute, said that although the opportunity was presented as a makeover, the pair was most excited by the chance to represent the LGBTQ+ community.
He and his husband, 40-year-old graphic designer Hector, are family influencers and post content about raising their 3-year-old son Oliver.
Hector said the online community he and his husband have become part of has offered opportunities to meet other queer fathers.
“We get to hear other dads’ stories and just collaborate with them and learn from them,” he said.
For the couple, appearing on Drag Race was the perfect opportunity to connect with other gay fathers in person and to show it’s possible for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be parents.
The episode's theme revolves around building hope for the future of the queer community and the important work the dads do by raising children.
“It's an opportunity to show the world that LGBTQ plus families exist, we thrive and we deserve to be celebrated,” Derek said.
For the De Valles, this celebration meant getting in drag with the stars of the show and performing.
Neither Hector nor Derek had been in drag before appearing on the show. They were paired with two of the show's participants, Aura Mayari and Silky Nutmeg Ganache, for makeovers.
Both came out of the challenge dressed in glittering outfits and makeup meant to mirror the contestants’ styles.
The couple had been fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race for years and were excited to meet some of the queens.
Hector, who was paired with Aura Mayari, said he really connected with her during his time on the show. They have kept in contact since.
“We have similar stories with our families,” he said, “and just coming out in general.”
The show also allowed Hector and Derek to connect with other gay dads in person, and they are planning a trip together next month.
The De Valles have experienced difficulties raising a child as a queer couple in Florida and have dealt with everything from stares in public to fear surrounding recent legislation in the state.
Growing up, Derek said he often felt like he had to hide who he was. He never saw LGBTQ+ people portrayed as parents in the media. The chance to be on the show felt especially important for him.
“We hope someone watching sees a reflection of their own future and realizes that being themselves and having a family are not mutually exclusive dreams,” Derek said.
Contact Brandy Sumner at bsumner@alligator.org.
Brandy Sumner is an anthropology and English junior and this summer's music and performance reporter. This is their first semester working at the Alligator. In their free time they enjoy playing guitar, reading and writing.
