The baseline argument from conservatives that drag queens are a danger to children is as absurd as saying dancing is a danger to your mental health. It just doesn’t add up. Fortunately, drag queens aren’t shouting into the wind with their counter-protests and arguments. Actresses like Charlize Theron are here to back them up, even if her methods of support wouldn’t exactly hold up in a court of law.
The Fast X actress touted her support of the drag community this past Sunday at the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon, appearing via a self-recorded video alongside a gaggle of friends.
“We love you queens! We’re in your corner, and we’ve got you — ”
So far so good. One of Hollywood’s highest-paid, most well-respected actresses taking a stand against the absurd anti-drag laws sweeping the nation. I’m here for it. However, the South African-American actress then threw caution to the wind with a string of curse words Popeye the Sailor Man would be proud of:
“ — and I will f*** anybody up who is, like, trying to f*** with anything with you guys. It’s really, in all seriousness, there are so many things that are hurting and really, killing our kids and we all know what I’m talking about right now. And it ain’t no drag queen, because if you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip sync for her life, it only makes you happier, it only makes you love more. It makes you a better person.”
Welp, there she blows!
The thing is, Charlize is not wrong. As so gloriously pointed out by comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart in his viral takedown of Republican Nathan Dahm, drag isn’t harming kids, guns are. Guns have become the leading cause of death among children 18 years and younger in the United States. Not cancer, not cars, not suffocation, not poisoning. Guns. Something Theron so obviously alluded to in her self-recorded video.
And yet — yet! — Republicans continue to fight for the banning of drag shows. Tennessee’s historic anti-drag ban (Tennessee Senate Bill 3) has set a precedence that other red states like Texas are trying to follow. The first of its kind, the bill bans what it determines to be “adult cabaret performances” within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks, and places of worship. Which is exactly why the LGBTQ+ community has banded together to fight back.
At the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon, Theron was just one of dozens of celebrities to wave her rainbow flag in support. Jesse Eisenberg, Sarah Silverman, Adam Lambert, Billy Eichner, Marcia Gay Harden, Leslie Jones, Orville Peck, Johnny Sibilly, and Michelle Visage were also in attendance, along with prominent RuPaul’s Drag Race alum like Jinkx Monsoon, Peppermint, Alaska, Trixie Mattel, and Bob the Drag Queen.
In total, the event raised $523,000 on its official GoFundMe page, a number that has risen to $587,591 as of this writing. If Theron’s f-bombs don’t already speak volumes, let the money talk!
In closing out her colorful speech, Theron urged viewers to, “Please support all the great organizations that are out there helping all of this nonsense going away like it should, all of these incredibly stupid policies. Bye! No more room for hate, only love, and love equals drag queens!”
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a lover of all things drag, and a supporter of equal rights, I have to agree that one, these policies are stupid, and two, drag only makes you love more. Drag is art. Drag is expression. Drag is a place to be yourself. Contrary to Theron’s impassioned speech, violence is not the answer — putting our money (and vote) where our mouth is. And because the continued support of the drag community is the best f-you we can give to bigoted Republicans, here’s how you can tune into the upcoming season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8, and then follow that up with RuPaul’s very own marching orders.