Drag Race legend Jinkx Monsoon has condemned the rise of anti-drag bills in a new interview.
Over the last few months, various Republican lawmakers within the US have targeted drag entertainers with hateful legislation.
On 2 March, Tennessee became the first state to ban drag shows from taking place in public spaces and/or places where minors may be present, with similar bills introduced in at least 14 others, including Arizona, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
In response to the archaic bills, various drag performers have used their voices to push back against Republican lawmakers – including Drag Race All Stars winner Monsoon.
During a recent appearance on ABC News, the Queen of All Queens held nothing back when discussing the aforementioned legislation.
“It’s hypocritical, to say the least. There’s so many things that I think are much more unsavoury for children to be witnessing. But because they’re heteronormative, or because they’re adhering to gender norms, they get overlooked,” she said.
“Right now, we’re looking at drag and how it affects children, as though all drag takes place in front of children.
“We’re adult human beings capable of knowing what not to put in front of children. We make drag appropriate for kids, if kids are going to be there. And if kids shouldn’t, we make it known as well.”
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Elsewhere in her interview, the beloved performer was asked about her “battle back plan” to combat future anti-drag bills like Tenneesse’s.
“I think one of the best antidotes to what’s going on right now is kinda what I do in my day-to-day life, which is create art which talks about it and get on stage and perform for people to show what I love to do,” she explained.
Lastly, the Chicago star called for respect and equality for drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
“We’re human beings, we’re citizens of this country [and] we deserve to be treated with the same respect, dignity and liberty as every other citizen of our wonderful country,” she said.
Jinkx’s recent ABC appearance isn’t the first time she’s called out conservative lawmakers and their anti-drag rhetoric.
Shortly after Tennesse’s aforementioned bill was passed, the beloved talent took to Twitter to share an inspirational statement about fighting back against the hate.
“Ours is a revolution of love, empathy, and truth – you can’t ban those things. We will fight this battle the way our predecessors did: with grace, compassion, and throwing a brick if we have to,” she tweeted.
Watch Jinkx’s full interview here or below.
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