Maren Morris, Drag Stars Express Extreme Disapproval of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
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Country music sensation Maren Morris sits down with four drag luminaries—Eureka O’Hara, Landon Cider, Sasha Colby, and Symone—to discuss the urgent need to fight back against bigotry. The lively conversation delves into the impact of these discriminatory laws, the power of drag in shaping pop culture, and the significance of allyship within the music industry.
Drag Stars Condemn Drag Ban, Anti-Drag Laws
Morris and her drag star companions recently gathered in Los Angeles for a candid conversation about the state of LGBTQ+ rights. The backdrop of their discussion is a grim reality of more than 450 bills that target LGBTQ+ rights that have been introduced by right-wing politicians in 2023 alone.
The impact of these legislative attacks, including the recent anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, sets the stage for a crucial dialogue on resilience and the role of the music industry in fostering change.
The group’s collective commitment to using their platforms to combat discrimination is evident. O’Hara, Cider, Colby, and Symone, who gained fame through popular drag reality shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, have been vocal advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
The conversation takes a turn as they address the rise of “drag bans” within the legislation. Tennessee, for example, passed a bill in March that banned “adult cabaret” performances, including those by male or female impersonators, in public spaces or in the presence of minors.
How The Laws Have Affected Drag Performances
The discussion turns to the broader impact of drag on pop culture and society. The drag stars present their perspectives, highlighting the evolution from being a mirror of pop culture to becoming an integral part of it.
They emphasize the positive influence of drag in empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal norms. However, they also shed light on the need for recognition and representation of all facets of drag, including drag kings, whose contributions often go unnoticed or underappreciated.
The conversation then circles back to the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of allyship. The drag stars express their gratitude for artists like Maren Morris, Lizzo, and others who use their platforms to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. They stress the significance of working together, particularly in genres like country music and rap/hip-hop, which traditionally adhere to heteronormative norms.
The discussion then concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to educate themselves, challenge misinformation, and stand united against discrimination. The drag stars emphasize that attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, while not the sole issue plaguing our world, remain a significant concern that deserves attention and action.
