Shining lights and cheering crowds gave an encore to local talent at Drake OUTLaws’ open mic night, an event that celebrated LGBTQ+ people and allies while fundraising to support transgender individuals across Iowa.
Drake OUTLaws is the LGBTQ+ student group of Drake University Law School. Their annual open mic fundraising night — featuring vocal, instrumental, dance and drag performances from the Des Moines community — took place at the xBk Live venue at 6:30 p.m on March 24. The event raised $753, and all funds raised went to the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, an organization that provides grants for Iowans seeking gender-affirming care.
Drake OUTLaws President Gabrielle Kilpatrick has been involved in the student group since her first year of law school.
“Our biggest goal in an organization like OUTLaws is to allow people to be seen and to feel safe,” Kilpatrick said. “We don’t care if you are a member of the community or an ally. We want everyone to feel welcome. We want them to feel safe expressing themselves and know that if they are in a bind, they have somewhere to go.”
Drake OUTLaws is an affiliate of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, the largest LGBTQ+ Bar and Ally Lawyer association in the country. OUTLaws is one of several affinity groups within the Drake Law School.
There has been an increase in national and state laws against LGBTQ+ individuals, restricting freedoms and protections. The American Civil Liberties Union tracked 616 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2025, an increase from the 204 bills that ACLU identified in 2021. In Iowa, the number of bills went from nine in 2021 to 23 in 2025.
“It’s so important that we stay connected and we stay united, especially during times like this where the law is ever changing,” said Cierra Jackson, the vice president of Drake OUTlaws.
The event’s lineup included pre-scheduled and open mic performances from members of the crowd. Headline performances included drag by Xander Lyon Frost and Tessa Tura, and burlesque by Billy Psyko, Ms Fyne Apple and Malcolm McKeel.
In the past, open mic night raised funds for the fourth annual LGBTQ+ Free Legal Clinic. Instead, this year’s clinic is funded by the Drake University Law School, and the open mic night raised funds for mutual aid. This year’s clinic was held on Saturday, March 28, at the Drake Legal Clinic.
Kai Smith, a first-year law student, performed three drag acts during open mic night. Smith joined OUTLaws after researching student groups within the Drake Law School.
“It’s fantastic to be able to provide those free [name change] services because let’s face it, most people struggle to pay for [certain legal services],” Smith said.
Drake OUTLaws plans to send members to the three-day 2026 Lavender Law Conference in Chicago, hosted by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. The group also hosts several recruitment and support events throughout the year, including a National Coming Out Day celebration, and connects community members to legal resources.
