In recent years, drag performers have found themselves at the center of a heated cultural debate, with conservative figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) leading the charge against them. Greene’s latest target was Brigitte Bandit, a drag artist and activist from Austin, Texas. Greene mistakenly labeled Brigitte, who was born female, as a man “pretending” to be a woman, sparking a viral response from the performer.
Brigitte Bandit, known for her performances and activism, recently appeared on CNN to discuss legislative attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community. Following her appearance, Greene took to social media to criticize Brigitte, suggesting she was part of a “gender cult.” Brigitte quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying her identity and calling out Greene’s ignorance.
“Hi Marjorie! I’m Brigitte and I’m the queen in the clip. I’m born female and not a man. You are just proving that gender is socially constructed and have no idea what you’re talking about and why you should have no say in our lives,” Brigitte wrote. The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention.
In an email to Entertainment Weekly, Brigitte confirmed her female birth and non-binary identity. She emphasized that while Greene and other Republicans vilify drag performers with misinformation, real issues affecting American women and children go ignored. “I have never been accused of being a threat until I put on a wig and a little extra makeup,” Brigitte noted. “We must stop targeting drag performers and start targeting the real issues if we really want to protect women and children.”
Brigitte’s remarks come amid a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws sweeping the country, particularly in states like Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri. These laws have prompted significant backlash from the drag community and its supporters. For instance, several RuPaul’s Drag Race alums expressed their disapproval of Tennessee’s House Republicans supporting a bill that would impose harsh restrictions on drag shows and ban gender-affirming care for young trans people.
Aura Mayari, a contestant on Drag Race season 15, voiced her concerns to Entertainment Weekly, stating, “I am deeply upset and saddened to hear about the drag ban in Tennessee. The state [proposed] this bill to protect children from seeing anything explicit, when in fact, it is a mask used to hide the discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community and the desire to erase drag.”
Eureka, a contestant on Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2, called the move “blatantly unconstitutional” and criticized lawmakers for fostering a “really scary time.”
Even RuPaul, the iconic drag performer and host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, publicly condemned the legislation and urged people to donate to the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund. This fund, created with Drag Race production company World of Wonder, collects donations to help fight for queer rights in America. RuPaul also used his 2024 Emmys acceptance speech to caution against fearing drag performers.
Brigitte Bandit’s clash with Marjorie Taylor Greene is just one example of the broader cultural battle over drag performances and LGBTQIA+ rights. Despite the backlash, Brigitte continues to advocate for her community. Earlier this year, she made headlines when Dolly Parton gifted her a signed guitar. She was also featured in one of TIME’s 100 top photos of 2023, showing her speaking at the Texas State Capitol in full drag to oppose bills aimed at limiting drag performances.
The controversy surrounding drag performers highlights a deeper issue: the existence of drag queens and the challenge they pose to traditional gender norms. Critics like Greene argue that drag performances are harmful to children, but proponents counter that these events promote tolerance, self-acceptance, and diversity.
As Brigitte Bandit and other drag performers continue to face attacks from conservative figures, their resilience and advocacy serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. The debate over drag performances is not just about entertainment; it’s about the broader fight for acceptance and equality in a society that still grapples with issues of gender and identity.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
