Mystic Lexie, M1ss Jade So, and Matilduh shared their insights on the fear enveloping the drag community in the US.
There’s been a disturbing trend of discriminatory policies across the United States, including drag bans and making gender-affirming health care illegal for transgender youth. The justifications for these laws revolve around the notion of protecting children from indoctrination into queer lifestyles. These grounds spring from harmful stereotypes, misinformation, traditionalism, and religious beliefs, generating more hate toward an already vulnerable community.
Tennessee queens Aura Mayari and Eureka O’Hara were one of the first ones to take a stand against the controversial bill happening in their home state. We saw two-time Drag Race winner Jinx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme do the media rounds to shed light and fight back against these horrible threats. Even the mother of all mothers, RuPaul, condemned the legislation with a statement she posted on Instagram. “They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective. They think our love, our lights, our laughter, and our joy are signs of weakness. But they’re wrong because that is our strength. Drag queens are the Marines of the queer movement,” she said and urged the public to register to vote.
While an issue threatening the certain liberties in the United States, one cannot discount the chilling effects this witch hunt has on the rest of the world, especially for the drag and queer community. As the rest of the world takes a stand on this issue, we caught up with Mystic Lexie, M1ss Jade So, and Matilduh to share their thoughts on this critical issue.
What role does drag play in the LGBTQIA+ movement?
Mystic Lexie: Drag has always played a vital role in the LGBTQIA+ movement. However, its very essence is to give entertainment; throughout the years, it’s been used as a medium by many of those in the queer community to express themselves, their beliefs, and as a form of conveying powerful messages. Drag is, has been, and always will be political.
M1ss Jade So: The role of drag queens in the LGBTQIA+ movement is very important and should be respected. We are the leaders who will fight for our rights as we have big stages and platforms. We should be great examples for the community. Drag will always be political.
Matilduh: Drag is an art form of self-expression, and now that it’s going mainstream, we get to represent the gender spectrum with a wider reach. Through drag, we are able to tell people our stories, who we are, and what we fight for.
What are your thoughts on restricting drag performances in public places and making it a criminal offense?
Mystic Lexie: I believe that restricting and making drag performances illegal is an obvious attack on free speech. I think that there are far bigger fishes to fry than drag queens performing in public spaces, as there are bigger issues of crime, poverty, and education.
M1ss Jade So: Restricting drag performances in public places and making it a criminal offense is so wrong. Drag performances are an art form, an artist’s conceptual masterpiece that is magical, theatrical, and especially political. They mirror what the person behind the persona may be feeling, hearing, and thinking. This art form should be seen, understood, protected, and respected.
Matilduh: I think restricting drag performances in public places is unnecessary, especially making it a criminal offense. It’s taking away freedom of expression.
Why do you think there’s a sudden emergence of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation across the United States? Do you believe bigoted lawmakers in the Philippines will do the same now that the local drag scene is reaching a wider audience?
Mystic Lexie: I’m afraid that what we see happing in America may be something we’re going to see in our very own Philippines, as religious groups have made it their point to make sure that they wouldn’t be punished for their continuous discrimination and attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community. Lawmakers with religious ties will make sure the SOGIE bill is never passed into law because it would punish bigots for their beliefs. I fear for the future of drag in our country.
M1ss Jade So: I really don’t know where they’re coming from. All I see is greediness and hypocrisy. As the years progress, we should be maturing rather than reversing.
Matilduh: They say the bills were passed to protect the children. Protect them from what? I think it’s an indirect attack on the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s like putting a bandaid on a non-existent wound. I hope it won’t happen here in the Philippines because it would affect many lives since drag has been present on noontime shows, films, pageants, etc., ever since, and people may not even realize it. I hope Filipino lawmakers won’t adopt these bills because there are a lot of important topics to be prioritized, like education, transportation, and the economy.
