The cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” took to a different stage Monday morning, roaming Washington’s National Mall to promote the ninth season of the Emmy-nominated reality show.
The cast of eight “Drag Race” alumni arrived on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in appropriate style, serving looks inspired by patriotic comic book superheroes Wonder Woman and Captain America in the colors of the American flag. They posed for photos in front of the reflecting pool, against the backdrop of the iconic Washington Monument and the US Capitol.
“It feels like progress,” said “Drag Race” season 14 contestant Angeria Paris VanMicheals, reflecting on the importance of promoting the show in the nation’s capital.
“Right now, I feel really proud of my country and just the fact that we are able to do things like this now,” she said. “It shows how far we are coming as a country – slowly but surely, we are getting there.”
Drag performances have become a political flashpoint in recent years and are increasingly the target of threats, protests and violent actions by opponents who say drag is inappropriate for children. Lawmakers in at least a dozen states have introduced legislation this year aimed at restricting performances on public property or where they can be seen by minors.
Most Americans oppose laws restricting trawling, an NPR-PBS NewsHour-Marist poll found.
Laws limiting where and how drag performances can take place were passed in six Republican-led states last year, although four of them — in Florida, Montana, Texas and Tennessee — are currently unenforceable due to federal court orders. GOP leaders in Congress have also tried to crack down on drag shows, and top defense officials in June banned drag performances on military bases after pressure from House Republicans.
At least three provisions in federal funding bills passed by the House last year included bans or heavy-handed restrictions on drag performances. Those provisions, and others aimed at access to gender-affirming health care and certain diversity initiatives, were not included in the final $1.2 billion spending package signed by President Biden in March.
A 2022 bill introduced by now-House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sought to ban federal funds from being used for “sexually oriented” events for children, which Johnson at the time said included drag shows queen for the whole family and drag queen stories for hours.
LGBTQ artists and advocates have championed drag as a form of self-expression that challenges social norms and promotes inclusivity. They reject claims that drag is inherently sexual or inappropriate for young people.
“Our voices are still trying to be silenced in many ways, and it’s important as a queen with a voice to be able to utilize it and use it for good, because people listen,” said Shannel, who competed on the first season of “ Drag Race” in 2009. “I think more than ever, especially with the election coming up, it’s vitally important to be able to use your voice and spread the word.”
“Drag is so powerful,” said “Drag Race” Season 11 contestant Nina West. “We represent such a diverse community that it is definitely a central and important voice, especially in elections.”
LGBTQ people played a key role in Biden’s 2020 victory, a Washington Post Analysis found, and both Biden and former President Trump sought to appeal to LGBTQ voters ahead of the November elections. The cast of “Drag Race” will wrap up their visit to Washington with a meeting with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a popular gay bar in Washington’s Logan Circle neighborhood and a screening of the new season at Motion Picture. Association.
“’Drag Race’ provides a massive platform and visibility, so having us here is remarkable,” said West. “But I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that there are queens here doing the work every day. There are drag queens all over the city who are on equal footing in this fight, and I hope we can only amplify that message.”
This season’s queens will compete for charity for the first time, and the winner will receive a $200,000 donation to an organization of their choice. Season 9 of “All Stars” will premiere on May 17 on Paramount+.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
