‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Raises $2 Million for ACLU

metroweekly.com:

In little more than a year, RuPaul’s Drag Race has raised $2 million to help the ACLU push back against anti-LGBT efforts, including attacks against drag performance.The news was first reported on June 10 in a Variety exclusive.According to the ACLU, the Drag Defense Fund initiative, formed in April 2023, also partners with MTV and the World of Wonder production company to “fuel the ACLU’s expansive advocacy work in support of the LGBTQ community, which includes everything from courtroom battles, to guidance on state-level legislation, to challenging LGBTQ censorship in classrooms.”World of Wonder produces Drag Race, which airs on MTV.

Transgender drag performer Peppermint, who placed second in Season 9 of Drag Race, spoke about the hostile political landscape currently faced by drag performers and the whole of the LGBT community on the ACLU’s At Liberty podcast in January of 2023, shortly before the initiative was launched. “Trans issues, trans rights…anything having to do with gender and sexuality, they’re trying to dismantle that,” Peppermint told podcast host Kendall Ciesemier, referring to the politicians, pundits, and activists attacking the LGBTQ community. “[They’re trying to] dismantle any of the progress that we’ve had on that and turn us into the boogeyman.” This year alone, as of June 14, the ACLU is tracking 522 “anti-LGBTQ bills” in the United States, as illustrated on the organization’s interactive legislative map.