Marcia Gay Harden has revealed that all three of her children identify as queer.
The Academy Award-winning actress made an appearance at the Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon, a livestream event that tackled anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States.
During the broadcast, Harden told co-host Adam Shankman and the audience: “What drives me is because it’s right, and what’s happening right now is wrong. What drives me is, my children are all queer.”
Harden is mother to Eulala, 24 and Julitta and Hudson, both 19.
“My eldest child is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid. And you know, they are my kids, and they teach me every day,” she explained.
Of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has swept across the U.S., the Tony winner added: “This is so fear-based and it’s spreading that kind of fear and hatred among other people. I believe this country will fight that.”
In an Instagram post after the telethon, Harden said the “only thing dangerous about drag” is “how hot these queens are”.
“Join the @dragisntdangerous fundraiser in support of LGTBQ+, which basically means in support of all of us!” she wrote.
“Our nation, our neighbors, our children, artists, our singers, our dancers, our better leaders, ceo’s, writers, spiritual leaders, basically our humanity. Gay is here to stay. Drag is here to stay. Donate what you can, and join us in spreading the love.”
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In 2023 alone, there have been more been more than 540 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across 34 U.S. states.
More than a dozen have introduced bills seeking to restrict or ban drag, including Tennessee, Texas and Florida.
Shankman co-hosted Drag Isn’t Dangerous alongside comedian Justin Martindale and Drag Race stars Alaska 5000 and Peppermint.
The telethon featured a mix of live and pre-taped performances, as well as appearances from Drag Race alumni such as Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Kelly Mantle, Kerri Colby and Laganja Estranja, among a plethora of others.
Idina Menzel, Sarah Hyland, Sarah Silverman, Melissa McCarthy and Charlie Theron were also in attendance, as well as a number of LGBTQ+ entertainers such as Margaret Cho, Drankie Grande and Lance Bass.
Cho told the audience: “Drag brings hope, truth and laughter to a community that desperately needs it. We need to fight for drag rights because we need to fight for gay rights. For our rights.”
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 and Victory Fund) that support LGBTQ+ causes and drag performers in need – especially in states where they face discrimination and bans.
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also attended the telethon.
“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’,” she shared.
“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.”
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