Rupaul.Photo: VH1
RuPaul, the world’s most famous drag queen, is speaking out one week after Tennessee’s governorsigned a controversial anti-drag bill into law.
In avideo released on Wednesday, the creator and longtime host ofRuPaul’s Drag Racecalled far-right calls for drag bans a “classic distraction technique,” positing that they are meant to remove the focus from “real issues that they were voted into office to focus on.”
“They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective,” he said. “They think our love, our light, our laughter and our joy are signs of weakness. But they’re wrong, because that is our strength.”
He ended the video with a call for followers to register to vote and “get these stunt queens out of office,” adding that “a social media post has never been as powerful as a registered vote.”
Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a bill restricting “adult cabaret performances” — which it defines to include “topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers,” and “male or female impersonators.”
“The bill specifically protects children from obscene, sexualized entertainment, and any attempt to conflate this serious issue with lighthearted school traditions is dishonest and disrespectful to Tennessee families,” Lee’s press secretary Jade Byerstold various outlets.
Tennessee’s drag bill was just one of the recent measures in the state targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
Lee signed the drag bill on the same day he signed a bill banninggender-affirming health carefor transgender youths in the state.
And on Monday, the Tennessee House passed another bill targeting drag, this one requiring drag performers toobtain a permit before performing.
According to LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Human Rights Commission, the state has enacted 14 anti-LGBTQ+ laws since 2015. Among those are two bathroom bans and three laws preventing transgender students from playing sports consistent with their gender identity.
OtherDrag Racestars and alums have spoken out about the the many bills aimed at the LGBTQ+ community in recent weeks.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
source: people.com
