Some of the biggest names to come out of the "RuPaul's Drag Race" franchise made a powerful statement of solidarity with queer people in North Carolina last night by posing as a group next to a set of gendered bathrooms.
The image includes fan favorites Pearl, Violet Chachki, Phi Phi O'Hara, Courtney Act, Alaska, Sharon Needles, Adore Delano, Miss Fame and Michelle Visage, who are currently on tour in Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina, for the RuPaul Battle of the Seasons Tour.
The Instagram caption tells fans that the North Carolina BOTS tour locations will have gender neutral restrooms in both Charlotte and Durham. A portion of the statement reads:
Our shows are a safe space where #transgenderpeople and people of all genders, sexualities, ages and races can feel free to be themselves, be celebrated, and use the #bathroom of their #gender.... We offer our support and voices to the transgender community of North Carolina, we know you are equal and we will not settle for anything less than the state recognising and mandating this. To the transgender and gender diverse people in our audience and of North Carolina, we love you, we are you, we support you and we stand with you.
The move comes in response to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signing House Bill 2 into law in late March. The legislation discriminates against the queer community and prevents trans and gender-nonconforming people from using public restrooms that corresponds with their gender identity.
On a more global entertainment industry level, Logo, the leading queer entertainment network on which "Drag Race" airs, recently launched Global Ally, a multi-platformIn campaign that aims to connecting people along the spectrum of queer and trans identity despite their geographical locations. It also measures changing attitudes towards queer people on a global scale. Head here for more information.
