Shantay, drag is here to stay.
And that’s on periodt!
The herstory-making Drag Isn’t Dangerous livestream telethon boasted some of the biggest names in drag and entertainment, as well as queer allies who all came together to combat the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation plaguing the country. The event was co-hosted by writer/actor/comedian Justin Martindale, director/choreographer Adam Shankman as well as Drag Race alums Alaska 5000 and Peppermint, who also serves on GLAAD’s Board of Directors.
Martindale also served as head writer for the event and was co-executive produced by Matt Weaver (Rock of Ages, Chef’s Table, Jiro Dreams of Sushi). It raised over a whopping $500,000 and marks the biggest fundraising effort to combat all the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation in the U.S. and beyond.-LGBTQIA+ legislation to date, are proud to announce they have raised over $500,000.00. The telecast can be streamed here.
A drag telethon would be nothing without sickening performances of course! The show included a mix of live and pre-taped performances from Jinkx Monsoon, Jake Wesley Rogers, Tammie Brown, Bob The Drag Queen, Leadr, Lagoona Bloo, Lala Ri, Ginger Minj, Kelly Mantle, Tony Award nominee Tom Kitt w/Idina Menzel & Friends, Trixie Mattel, Joey McIntrye and son Griffin McIntyre, Monét X Change backed by a choir, Peaches & Alaska 5000. Some drag queens including Laganja Estranja, Kerri Colby, Sherry Vine, and Trinity The Tuck also helped out by taking calls in the celebrity phone bank.
“Drag brings hope, truth and laughter to a community that desperately needs it,” said comedian and Fire Island actress Margaret Cho.
“We need to fight for drag rights because we need to fight for gay rights. For our rights.”
Some other prominent names in Hollywood and media also came through to support including Michelle Visage, Marcia Gay Harden, Leslie Jones, Adam Lambert, Elizabeth Banks, The Boulet Brothers, Hayley Kiyoko, Frankie Grande, Lance Bass, Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman, Melissa McCarthy, and Queer Eye For the Straight Guy alum Jai Rodriguez.
“I wish I could say that I am glad to be here, but I am appalled I have to be at something called Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” said Drag Race judge Michelle Visage. “Imagine a world where dancers are told they can’t dance; imagine a world where artists are told they cannot take paint to canvas…because it is ‘bad for children.’ That is what is happening to drag right now.”
Harden also spoke in support of the LGBTQ community.
“All my children are queer…one is nonbinary, one is gay,” said the Academy Award winner. “My first boyfriend was gay and my conservative Naval Officer dad loved him.”
She added, “Why are we having to advocate for creativity and imagination? It is so fear-based. We know what love is.”
On top of all of this, actress and Saturday Night Live alum Leslie Jones made it clear she supports the LGBTQ community: “Drag isn’t dangerous, but Leslie Jones IS!”
In addition, the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” charity single featuring Jayelle & Ocean Kelly (Bob The Drag Queen) and written by Ashley Gordon (Alaska, Trixie Mattel) also made its big debut during the telethon. All revenue from the streaming and downloads of the song will be donated to the telethon.
All net proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities (GLAAD, GLSEN, Headcount, Black Queer Town Hall, The ACLU Drag Defense Fund, Trans Justice Funding Project, Victory Fund ) that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, especially in states where they face discrimination and bans. For more info visit www.drangisntdangerous.com.
And to learn more about how you can take action for LGBTQ people and defend drag as an art and freedom, head to GLAAD.org/Drag.