Drag Icons to Host “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” Telethon Against Drag Bans

At its fundamental core, drag is about entertainment and acceptance. It's theatre; it's camp; it's history. And right now drag and the Queers who perform it are under attack. So what better way to gather awareness for something as fundamentally wholesome as drag than a good ole fashioned telethon?

This May, some of the biggest drag queens and Queer performers are getting together to create the "Drag Isn't Dangerous" campaign. Producer Entertainment Group (PEG), which represents some of the biggest Queer artists in the world, is producing the campaign along with Q.Digital, which owns the likes of Queerty. The two are teaming up with GLAAD, OUTtv, Five Senses Reeling, Trixie Cosmetics, SERV Vodka, and more to create this awesome campaign.

 

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Drag Isn't Dangerous will include a number of RuPaul’s Drag Race greats like Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Trixie Mattel, Katya, Peppermint, Alaska, Kerri Colby, Eureka O’Hara, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Manila Luzon, and Nina West, just to name a few. As a huge fan of Jackie Beat's comedy over the years, I'm super excited for her!

Although the recipients of the profits from the telethon have yet to be announced, Queerty wrote that "Every cent of the net proceeds from the telethon go directly to LGBTQ+ causes and drag artists in the most vulnerable places across the country." They also added, "The show’s performers and organizers are not taking any fees; we’re just doing it for the love of the community."

What we need right now more than anything is vocal support and this really is a great example of a corporation standing behind the people who work for them. “We are sick of it. These bans are not just about trans people or drag performers. It is a systematic subjugation of LGBTQ people,” said Jacob Slane of the event's lead production company PEG. “Through the ‘Drag Isn’t Dangerous’ campaign, we want to show that drag performers are not dangerous groomers, sexual deviants, criminals or whatever is the latest evangelical slur du jour. We want to raise awareness and funds to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ people who are under attack.”

Make no mistake about it: Queer lives are under attack right now. Over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year, with a large amount of them targeting healthcare for trans youth. There are currently around 40 drag bans that have made their way to state legislatures, with the state of Tennessee being the first to enact its ban in February. We need to make our voices heard now more than ever, and one way to make your voice heard is to quite literally make it heard: call into the Drag Isn't Dangerous Telethon.

The Drag Isn't Dangerous campaign will culminate with the one-night-only telethon on May 7th at 7pm EDT, with tickets costing $20. You can get tickets here!

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