Rupa spoke out against anti-drag legislation recently passed in Tennessee, asking fans to vote against lawmakers using transphobia as a “distraction technique” against more pressing issues.
“Hey, look over there!” RuPaul said in a video posted on Instagram. “A classic distraction method, distracting us from the real issues they were voted into office to focus on: jobs, health care, keeping our children safe from harm themselves school. But we know that bullies are incapable of solving real issues. They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective. They believe that our love, our light, our laughter , and our happiness are signs of weakness. But they are wrong, because that is our strength.
“Drag queens are the Marines of the queer movement,” RuPaul continued. “Don’t get it twisted and don’t get distracted. Register to vote so we can get these stunt queens out of office and put some smart people with real solutions in government. And so, a social media post is never as powerful as a registered vote. ” See his full comments below.
RuPaul’s message comes as Tennessee continues to pass legislation banning drag shows from public property, as well as anywhere minors may be present. If the transphobia of those laws isn’t apparent enough, the state is also poised to ban gender-based health care for minors.
The drag legend is the latest artist to speak out against the bills; earlier this week, Hayley Williams, Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, and more were confirmed to perform at Rise of Lovea benefit concert in Tennessee that raises money for LGBTQ organizations in the state.