RuPaul delivered a powerful speech at the Emmys as he confronted anti-drag laws and explained why drag queens have an important place in society.
As RuPaul's Drag Race clinched another Emmy victory, the media mogul, joined by co-stars Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews, along with a group of drag queens, took a moment to reflect on the tough times the LGBTQ+ community has endured in the past 12 months.
Holding the award with gratitude, RuPaul expressed appreciation, saying: "Thank you so much, you lovely, lovely people. We are so honored to have this award."
Acknowledging the impact of the show in introducing countless drag queens to the world, RuPaul emphasized the importance of standing against the increasing number of drag bans.
Watch RuPaul's speech below:"You guys are just lovely for honoring our show and for recognizing all of these queens. We have released into the wild hundreds of drag queens, and they’re beautiful. On behalf of all of them, we thank you," RuPaul stated.
He then addressed the legislative threats faced by drag performers, particularly mentioning bans on drag shows in states like Tennessee and Montana, as well as attempts in Texas and Florida.
"Listen, if a drag queen wants to read you a story at a library, listen to her," he said. "Because knowledge is power, and if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you. Listen to a drag queen, thank you! We love you!"
The Human Rights Campaign applauded RuPaul's remarks, recognizing the speech's significance "on the importance of protecting our power as LGBTQ+ people in the face of anti-drag attacks."
This isn't the first time RuPaul has addressed challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2020 interview with CBS Mornings, he expressed skepticism about the extent of acceptance, stating: "I don't know how accepted it is. … We're more polarized in our country than I think I've ever witnessed in my lifetime."
In February, a Tennessee law banning "adult cabaret" performances in public or in front of minors was signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. However, a federal judge blocked its enforcement in April, mere hours before it was set to take effect.
The legal battle over the right to attend drag shows has extended to the Supreme Court. In November, the court declined to allow the enforcement of a Florida law prohibiting children from attending drag shows, upholding a lower court ruling while a legal challenge continues to unfold," according to CBS.
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