Six drag performers have founded Drag PAC, a political action committee that seeks to “protect LGBTQ+ rights through democratic action in 2024.”
“We are excited to make HERstory with the launch of Drag PAC, the first-ever political action committee led by drag entertainers!” reads a social-media post by Drag PAC. “Founded by global drag queen super stars, we’re here to engage, educate, and mobilize Gen Z voters and progressive allies to vote ahead the most consequential election for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation’s history.”
“We are here to make f***ing waves, a big blue ass wave,” said the drag performer known as “Monét X Change” in a video released by Drag PAC. The drag performers who launched the PAC are known as “William,” “Alaska Thunderf*** 5000,” “Jinkx Monsoon,” “BenDeLaCreme,” “Peppermint,” and “Monét X Change,” who all previously competed on the television series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“There is so much anti-drag and anti-trans legislation coming from lawmakers who know NOTHING about us and our community; so it’s time we took some control,” reads a social-media post by the performer “Peppermint.” “As queens, and as queer people, we are uniquely positioned to fight back against growing legislative attacks on our community.”
Drag PAC was launched the same week that three drag performers — known as “Jiggly Caliente,” “Joey Jay,” and “Brigitte Bandit” — appeared on Capitol Hill for “Drag Lobby Day,” an initiative organized by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn. The three performers met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to lobby for the Equality Act and the “Transgender Bill of Rights,” then held a rally.
The “Transgender Bill of Rights” would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in public accommodations and federally funded programs and activities. If passed, the resolution would further ensure that health-care providers “following standards of care” could not be targeted for criminal or civil penalties for gender-related medical treatments, and guarantee a student’s ability to use facilities and participate on sports teams aligned with preferred gender identity.
“Policies concerning transgender rights must be led and informed by transgender communities, in particular Black and indigenous women who face heightened risk of violence, poverty, discrimination, and other harm due to their intersecting identities,” reads a subsection of the “Transgender Bill of Rights” that was introduced in the House of Representatives in June, 2022.
“I’m honored to stand with [Brigitte Bandit] & [Jiggly Caliente] to destigmatize drag here on Capitol Hill and across the country,” Representative Pocan wrote on social media. “Despite what some of my uninformed colleagues may say, you are always welcome here.”