This week marked a change in the landscape of America. With the newly elected President inaugurated, the eyes of the world and especially the nation were glued to the TV and social media for a glimpse of the change of hands in the U.S. First Family.
The drag world was all a flutter about the election this past November, mostly cries of why, what now, and fear of the unknown. Would this new President really repeal all the progress made by the previous administration? Where does that leave the LGBTQ community?
As this week progressed, the countdown to the change of arms brought forth what no one thought possible. Donald Trump and Mke Pence were being sworn in as President and Vice-President of the United States of America. Although, the states being possibly more divided than ever in modern history, calling them “United” is about as normal as calling Trump and Pence, “Mr. President,” and “Mr. Vice-President.” But it’s the reality show we’re all in now, but not everyone was willing to take that sitting down.
Saturday marked the coming together of an estimated million women all over the world and especially the United States for the “Women’s March on Washington”. The outpouring of support from around the country and the world by those who couldn’t go to Washington D.C. was displayed in local marches. Countries as far as Australia, Cambodia, France, and England joined cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and New York as the Women’s March conveyed its message of gender equality, fair pay, anti-harassment, hope, love, strength, and LGBTQ rights.
Several drag queens were at local events; Drag Queens Galore drag friends, Saint Peter D’Vil and Monistat went to the Los Angeles March, out of drag. While Pandora Boxx, Manila Luzon, and Willam Belli were in full drag spreading the message that every person deserves to be heard. And what’s louder than our beloved drag queens?
And of course, who could miss Courtney Act providing correspondence from both the inauguration and the march in Washington D.C. proving you don’t have to be “Born in the U.S.A.” to care what’s going on in this country. Catch Courtney’s coverage (if she reads this, yes, you can take that one too Courtney) of the inauguration and march.
In addition, there were a lot of drag queens posting support of the marches, with messages like that from Raven; “Keep those tiny hands off my … ” and placing the ever important: “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” sign on her Facebook profile. Drag Queens made it known they were in full support of what it meant to march on Saturday.
For anyone who says “Drag Queens are making fun of women,” they got a huge dose of “shut it” in the form of support of women and women’s rights. Drag Queens have differing opinions of what it means to do drag, because they’ve all started for different reasons and do different styles of drag. But one thing they can agree on, it’s important to stand up for the rights of everyone.
Drag Queens have been at the forefront of every major LGBTQ movement and women have been at the forefront of every LGBTQ movement. It’s no wonder the two go together so naturally. It’s everyone’s responsibility to stand up for what’s right and working together has always accomplished so much more. While this weekend didn’t completely repair all the damage this election has caused, it has started the movement.
The next time you think about trashing those queens who put themselves up on a stage to entertain you, you think about what you’ve done to progress the movement of equality first. Then you remember, these queens have stepped in front of the line, on the stage, and used their talents to speak up for those of you who can’t get out there. Who can only participate via social media or the TV. Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words.
Thank you Courtney, Manila, Pandora, Willam, Saint Peter, Monistat, Raven and all the queens who speak up, get out there, use their platform to right the wrongs. And thank you to all those queens at Stonewall, Pride Festivals around the world, and those who use their stage to spread love, unity, and equality.
Share with us your experiences with the march and send us your messages of hope for the future. Comment, LIke,
