RuPaul speaks out on legislation aiming to restrict drag show performances

By Alli Rosenbloom and Dan Heching, CNN

Queer icon RuPaul says the slew of new legislation throughout the country looking to restrict or prohibit drag show performances is the work of “bullies.”

In an Instagram Reel posted to RuPaul’s verified account on Wednesday, the Emmy-winner said the anti-drag bills are “a classic distraction technique” turning the focus away from the real issues that lawmakers were voted into office to tackle.

Those real issues, RuPaul said, are job security, healthcare and “keeping our children safe from harm at their own school.”

“But we know that bullies are incompetent at solving real issues,” RuPaul said. “They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective. They think our love, our light, our laughter and our joy are signs of weakness. But they’re wrong, because that is our strength.”

RuPaul is host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a drag competition show that has been on the air since 2009 and won 26 Primetime Emmys. The show is often credited for bringing awareness of drag performance to a larger audience and, in turn, helping destigmatize the LGBTQ+ community.

RuPaul went on to say that drag queens “are the Marines of the queer movement.”

“Don’t get it twisted and don’t be distracted,” RuPaul added, before urging people to register to vote “so we can get these stunt queens out of office and put some smart people with real solutions into government.”

The TV personality’s statements come as anti-drag bills in at least 11 states across the country are working their way through legislatures, according to a CNN review.

The bills are being pushed forth mostly in Republican-led states. Politicians in those states claim drag performances expose children to sexual themes and imagery that are inappropriate.

The claim has been rejected by advocates, who say the proposed measures are discriminatory against the LGBTQ community and could violate First Amendment laws.

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CNN’s Shawna Mizelle and Dave Alsup contributed to this report.