Drag performance has always been political, disrupting the status quo despite legislative bans in numerous states. Two new events prove that people are fighting back.
Vice President Kamala Harris, also the presumptive 2024 Democratic nominee for president, will appear on "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 9' season finale on July 26. And a political action committee started by drag queens is helping Harris and other Democrats get out the votes.
After President Joseph Biden announced his plans to not seek the nomination for reelection, Harris' election campaign has taken over the Internet and raise almost $100 million in a matter of days. In her first election campaign video, Harris is seen with people holding rainbow flags, a clear gesture of support for the LGBTQ community. The promo also made headlines when singer Beyoncé allowed the use of her song, "Freedom."
On the series, Harris said, "Each day, we're seeing our rights and freedoms under attack, including the right of everyone to be who they are, love who they love, openly and with pride," Harris said in her appearance.
As the first sitting vice president to ever appear on "Drag Race," Harris pre-recorded her 'Get out the vote' message for the season 9 finale. The series can be viewed on Paramount+.
www.paramountplus.com
Drag PAC
In other drag and politics news, the political action committee Drag PAC is helping to get out the vote.
"Influencing election outcomes is the most impactful thing the LGBTQ+ community can do to slow the progress of attack legislation and protect our community's rights," says the organization's mission statement. "In 2023, the ACLU tracked 510 pieces of legislation across the country targeting LGBTQ+ rights. These legislative efforts are accelerating and we need to vote in 2024 to protect the community."
The website's main focus is providing tools to help people register to vote. The PAC is also seeking volunteers to register voters and sponsors to support the cause.
www.dragpac.org
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