May 5 (UPI) — Several drag stars and allies will perform — live and in pre-taped appearances — on Sunday on the Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon.
Bob the Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race, We’re Here), Jinkx Monsoon (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Chicago on Broadway, Doctor Who), Trixie Mattel (Trixie Motel, Queen of The Universe), Peppermint (Head Over Heels on Broadway, Call Me Mother), Eureka O’Hara (RuPaul’s Drag Race, We’re Here), Divina De Campo (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Hedwig and the Angry Inch in West End) are some of the queens who will perform at the event.
Charlize Theron, Melissa McCarthy, Billy Eichner, Ali Wong, Adam Lambert, Amy Schumer, Jesse Eisenberg, Leslie Jones, Margaret Cho, Elizabeth Banks, Kelly Osbourne, Orville Peck, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Whitney Cummings, Marcia Gay Harden and Sarah Silverman will make appearances.
“The recent demonization of drag culture has been greatly upsetting and completely shocking to me. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many drag performers, including one of my idols, the incomparable Trixie Mattel, over the past several years,” Eisenberg said.
Producer Entertainment Group joined up with several LGBTQ organizations, including Black Queer Town Hall, Concord, DeleteMe, Five Senses Reeling/Obsessed GLAAD, GLSEN, Headcount.org, Loyal Studios, OutTV, Q.Digital, OUTtv, Trixie Cosmetics, SERV Vodka and UTA, to create the Drag Isn’t Dangerous Campaign.
“We are sick of it. These bans are not just about trans people or drag performers,” PEG co-founder Jacob Slane told Entertainment Weekly. “It is a systematic subjugation of LGBTQ people. Through the Drag Isn’t Dangerous campaign, we want to show that drag performers are not dangerous groomers, sexual deviants, criminals or whatever is the latest evangelical slur du jour.
“We want to raise awareness and funds to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ people who are under attack.”
To further raise money for the drag community, which is currently under attack by bills restricting drag in Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas, Drag Isn’t Dangerous is holding a telethon with performances by huge stars.
How to watch
The telethon airs online Sunday, starting at 7 p.m. EDT on dragisntdangerous.com. Tickets, which are $20, are available at the site.
Host
Peppermint and comedian Justin Martindale will co-host the telethon.
Performers and special guests
McCarthy, Eichner, Wong, Lambert, Theron, Schumer, Eisenberg, Jones, Cross, Tamblyn, Cummings, Harden, Silverman, Banks, Peaches, Wilson Cruz, Idina Menzel, Cheri Oteri, Sarah Hyland, Bridget Everett and Jesse Tyler Ferguson are all set to participate in the event. Performers include Trixie Mattel, Bob the Drag Queen, Trinity the Tuck, Monét X Change, Eureka O’Hara, Alaska, BeBe Zahara Benet, Brandon Stansell, Darienne Lake, Desmond Is Amazing, Divina De Campo, Frankie Grande, Ginger Minj, Jackie Beat, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Justin Martindale, Katya, Kerri Colby, Manila Luzon, Miz Cracker, Nina West, Salina EsTitties, Sherry Vine and Trinity The Tuck. More stars are being announced daily.
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