I don't know if you've noticed, but drag is currently under attack in good ol' 'Murikkka.
Last week, Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill prohibiting drag queens from performing in public spaces. The new law will impose fines and even jail time on performers and organizers who defy the recent bill.
The governor of course is facing backlash over his decision, and even pictures have recently surfaced of Bill Lee appearing in drag.
Over the weekend fans of Drag Race took to social media to express their outrage over the bill, and a lot of the Drag Race girls have also spoken out.
Drag Race alum Silky Nutmeg Ganache called out the so-called straight allies who frequent queer nightclub spaces over their silence.
Season 9 winner Bob The Drag Queen took to Twitter to ask drag fans to put the same energy into fighting anti-trans and anti-drag legislation as they do into getting Real Friends of WeHo canceled, and getting extended episodes of Drag Race reinstated.
Eureka, who came out as trans on a season 3 episode of We're Here and hails from Johnson City, Tenn., called the bill "blatantly unconstitutional," and chastised lawmakers for fostering a "really scary time" for the queer community in America.
"It's banning Pride, public drag, and trans performance, even though it's their 'normal' presentation. The consequences [could involve] being charged as a felon. As we know, the felony badge of honor restricts lives of an overwhelming population of oppressed individuals, including race, sex, and now gender expression! It's all disheartening and targeted towards minorities who aren't 'normalized' by society," Eureka writes. "It's going to affect jobs, ways of life, and personal security for individuals trying to live —and barely survive — in this state of Tennessee, and it's extremely shameful to see!"
Two-time Drag Race winner and Broadway queen Jinkx Monsoon also put in her two cents:
BenDeLaCreme spoke to MSNBC regarding the bill, saying that the laws “are nothing more than scapegoating to distract from the REAL issues impacting everyday people in the cities and towns where these bills are being passed.”
She added: “We all know that the almighty dollar wields so much power in this country so I really hope that businesses involved in nightlife and entertainment BOYCOTT the cities and states who pass these bills. Let them feel the ramifications of an economy without queer entertainment and queer establishments.”
Season 12 alum Jackie Cox tweeted that she hopes her followers will boycott major companies who want our gay dollars, but remain silent when politicians target the queer community in a negative manner.
“I know y’all want every celeb/company you know to speak out against what is happening in Tennessee but their gov is not gonna care, because those companies are not based in TN. Let’s get specific: @FedEx YOU ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES BASED IN TENNESSEE WHY ARE YOU SILENT?!”
While many of the Drag Race girls have spoken out, some were quite upset over the silence of people who work on Drag Race (meaning the main judges), the celebrity guest judges, and RuPaul herself.
Marti Gould Cummings, a prominent drag activist called out Mamaru over her silence.
Now is the time for RuPaul, every past judge, corporations to speak up against the legislation sweeping our nation against trans youth & drag artist.
The suicide rate for queer youths is disproportionately higher than their peers & we need to speak up for them…NOW
— Marti (@MartiGCummings) March 5, 2023
Season 15 queen Aura Mayari, who is from Chicago, but currently resides in Nashville, recently revealed in an interview with Vogue that she held a photo shoot in a local park for one of her looks this week. After April 1, it could be prosecuted under the ban. She called on everyone to take action and speak out.
“How can we educate people about the value of this art form, particularly those who are so committed to their conservative beliefs?” Mayari asks. “That’s something we can only figure out together.”
So the question remains. With RuPaul being the most successful drag queen of our lifetime, and ushering the art of drag into the mainstream, with the huge platform she has, and the countless Emmys her popular show continues to win, is Ru obligated to speak out on this matter?
Quiet as it's kept Ru's political views over the years have been quite questionable (her stance on trans performers doing drag, fracking).
While I could personally care less whether or not she speaks out, I do feel that in the context of drag being under attack, and so many people looking to Drag Race for mainstream validation, for that I believe she should soeak out.
As I was in the midst of writing this article, Ru took to social media to speak out against the attack on drag queens and anti trans legislation.
Do you think RuPaul or celebrities in general are obligated to speak out when the community is under attack? Sound off in the comments below.
Also check out a few more tweets from the Drag Race girls below...
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