In early March, Tennessee became the first state to ban drag shows in public places.
the state’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, signed a bill which prohibited “adult cabaret entertainment” on public property or in places where it may be viewed by minors, including “topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or the like” Entertainers included.”
Critics of the law, which came into effect on April 1, say that classifying drag as “adult entertainment” automatically considers them to be erotic performances. They also argue that the language surrounding “male and female impersonators” is inherently anti-trans.
at least a dozen Other states considering similar anti-drag legislation, This was recently a topic of discussion on the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finale.
For Season 15 contestant Aura Mayari, the anti-drag law hit close to home. “I’m from Tennessee,” Mayari told TheWrap. “I always say, just keep your head up. You have the whole society behind you. We’re not going to be p-ssies and back down and not fight back. Again, here I am. And I’m always going to voice my opinion and Will continue to use my platform to fight for my rights.
“Drag Race” songwriter Leland echoed Mayari’s words. “I live between LA and Nashville. Going to play dance bars in Nashville, a gay bar, helped shape me. It also helped me define what my dreams could be and my life and What a career that could be. So I’m very close to a lot of the local queens in Nashville. I’m so inspired by them. They’re not holding back. They’re just being who they are.”
Check out more reactions from the “Drag Race” judges, contestants and collaborators backstage:
What message would you like to give to your fellow artistes and entertainers who are performing in states where they are facing harassment?
Michelle Visage, Judge: We will not let anyone get us down. We’re out here. Your elders are here fighting, walking, talking the talk and we are doing this so you can be you. People wouldn’t ask sculptors or painters to stop their art, so how dare they ask a drag queen to stop her art? And anyway it is their source of income. That’s how they pay their bills. How dare you take that away? Whereas in reality what we are doing is teasing the dog. And we’re trying to deflect attention from things like racism and anti-Semitism and hunger and poverty in this country. The list goes on: Elderly care, medical care, college tuition, the list could go on as to what we should be focusing on.
Ross Matthews, Judge: If you are facing opposition outside, there is much more love and support for you than opposition. And if you look out your window and you don’t feel like there are arms open for you, there are. We’re here, and we’ve got your back.
If they see these artists out there performing and see what they do, they’ll say, “This is amazing. It’s joyous and lovely and wonderful!”
Carson Kressley, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge
Carson Kressley, Judge: People who are buying into this manufactured fear of being dragged in, I think if they see these artists out there performing and see what they do, they’ll say, “This is amazing. It’s joyous and cute and wonderful! Why? Why are people trying to scare us? I think the truth is on our side, and it’s going to take some time to re-educate.
TS Madison, Judge: You have to stand up and march. fight for your people. You have to use the influence you have in your community to get your community out to vote.
Irene Dubois, contestant: No matter how lonely you feel in this moment, no matter how hard the walls around you, everyone you see living successfully has felt the same way at one point in time. And it’s when you start giving yourself permission to live authentically—who you know yourself to be on the inside—doors begin to open.
Princess Poppy, Contestant: I think it’s unfortunately targeting trans people and gender non-conforming people. Laws are meant to be broken. If it’s unjust and unjust, get the hell out of it.
sapphire, competitor: You know that dragging is not a crime. You know how powerful drag can be. That’s why you shouldn’t let the naysayers get you down.
Salina Estitties, contestant: do not fear! They want us to be scared and crawl back into our cells. that’s not gonna happen. Our safes are locked. Baby, we’re out of them and we’re not going back in!
jax, competitor: Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t let other people make you feel invalidated. You are completely valid in what you are doing; Now it is even more important. And don’t let them try to shut you down. What is happening now is ridiculous. Don’t let your MPs distract you.
malaysia babydoll foxx, contestant: Keep pushing, keep fighting. You know, we’ve come a long way. And clearly, they see our influence, and they’re trying to eliminate us. But at the end of the day, just keep showing them that what we do is about love.
Chinese competitor: This fight is not over. We have to keep on giving gaiety, glam and glitz. If they don’t like it, they can go and suck Grandma’s toe.
spice, competitorDrag is fun. It is no different from any other art. This is fiction.
marcia marcia marcia, contestant: Art is born from truth. And many times politics is born out of lies. So just keep living your truth, keep expressing your truth and keep showing the truth of queerness and being queer in our country. Because a lot of people are going to try and mow it down.
robin fierce contestant: Keep up the strength, keep believing in what you believe in. And really just make sure you’re still speaking and safe because we don’t want anything to happen to you in those states.
Trans people, queer people, drag queens are not killing people and we all know what is.
Lucie LaDuca, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 contestant
Lucie LaDuca, contestant:Drag has always been a political act. But now that there are laws that are aimed at us, continuing to protest is more of a political act. And we all know that these laws are a veiled way of targeting the trans community. We all are aware of this. which is disgusting. I know these laws are anti-trans. The trans community is being made a scapegoat for real issues happening in this country. Trans people, queer people, drag queens are not killing people and we all know what is.
Luxx Noir London, semifinalist: Keep doing it because they don’t want to see us. They want to see us back down. They want to see us in a corner and we are disrespecting all those who fought for our rights today by going back into hiding and not living proudly on the outside.
Mistress Isabel Brooks, semifinalistVisibility is the most important thing for anyone fighting a fight. Whether you’re a queer person or an ally, being visible, being yourself and not letting people put us down is one of the most important things because when you live your life in fear, the brothers and sisters next to us are going to be in fear. in order to live my life.
Sasha Colby, semifinalist: We’re all protesting dragging every now and then. We are all happily protesting and we still have to do the same. Because we’re not going anywhere.
Anetra, semifinalist: I think it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and where you are. Still continue to do your craft, still continue to grow and develop in your craft but at the same time be aware. It’s just kind of dangerous. We want to keep spreading the love, keep spreading our art, but also be smart.
Jinx Monsoon, Season 5 and All-Stars 7 Winner: We are with you. and plans to escape. I hate to sound nihilistic, but we’re already working our way through.
Orville Peck, music artist: Find a community, whether it’s friends or a larger LGBTQIA community or whatever, find a community that you can feel like you’re not alone in doing this. And when that fails, as often is the case when you sometimes have to pray to yourself with these moments, know that you are not alone.
To this end, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” MTV, and World of Wonder have donated to the ACLU’s “The Drag Defense Fund” in support of the ACLU’s LGBTQ+ rights work. You can learn more about the Fund Here,