Drag race is not just a show
A friend of mine told me that ‘drag race is just a show’. Yes… it is a show but its not 'JUST’ a show. It’s much more than that to so many people. It helps so many people come to peace with themselves, it helps people discover and find themselves.
Many can watch the show anytime they want, without being judged, but so many other people, like me, have to wait till their family is out or asleep, have to wear headphone so no one hears, have to have other tabs open so we can quick change if someone enters.
Drag Race helps many people connect to others like themselves, even if it is just through a screen, it has so much diversty, and that too, LGBT diversity which is what so many people need, especially those whole live in places like India (like myself), Bhutan, Egypt etc
And Diversity, whether it is LGBT diversity or diversity in general is what a lot of shows need to showcase because the majority of the population is being left out, and that’s why drag race is so great.
The FIRST EVER winner of drag race, Bebe, was African, and I know that it made so many people who are black/african and LGBT feel valid. Our Season 3 winner, Raja, is Indonesian and one of the few Asian queens we have, and the winner I identify with the most
Now Raja, being the first and only Asian winner, is such a role model to Asian LGBT kids who are too scared to say anything or come out because so many Asian countries are not LGBT friendly, and to see someone like Raja is just so inspirational and motivating.
Our big Girls like Latrice, Ginger, Kalorie etc, showing us that you can be big and beautiful. That you can achieve whatever you want in life no matter your size and the plus size community this motivation, especially with todays insane beauty standards
Our stunning Black queens like Bob, Monique, Monet, Shangela, Vixen, Chi Chi etc who have probably been through the most, showing that you can overcome hardships in life, overcome what people have said or done to you if you continue to pursue what you love.
Our beautiful Asian girls like Yuhua, Kim Chi, Phi Phi, Kimora etc bring so much culture to the show, showcasing it as well, making the Asian LGBT comminuty feel so proud of where they come from while still feeling so loved, something which isnt common in Asia
Our younger and older queens like Violet, Aquaria, Tempest, Chad show us that no matter what your age is, if you pursue something that you love and enjoy, you can succeed at it and age can do NOTHING to hold you back from it.
Queens like Gia, Peppermint, Sonique do so much for the trans community, a community that’s shunned and silenced by most of the public, but these girls make the trans community feel loved and empowered which is what they truly need and the girls provide that comfort
Our Peurto Rican divas like Alexis, Yara, Lineysha, Jessica showing us that Language barriers do not hold anyone from chasing what they love. Language barriers cannot and will not stop you from being stunning, as long as you want it.
We have queens like Cracker, Jinkx, Fame, CuCu, Katya, Sasha, Valentina who have brought light to many illnesses, conditions and struggels, which are extremely prevelant in the LGBT community so to hear an idol, someone that you look up to, speak about these things can be re-assuring to hear as they know that they are not alone and it gives people hope that it will get better for them too.
Miz Cracker talking about herself this season honestly helped me so much with my image of myself and her bringing light on the way so many people think about themselves only puts us a step forward in the right direction.
@jinkxmonsoon was extremely open about her narcolepsy and despite this being a completely valid reason for her to blame any mishaps on, she didn’t let it get the best of her. She powered through and we all know how that turned out. Nothing can stop you achieving what you want.
Fame and Katya talked about their sobriety and how minutes can feel like days and hours can feel like years, and they showed the audience that it is completely normal to feel this way, but you can get through whatever you went through or are currently going through.
Sasha and Valentina opened up about their eating disorders, which are seeing a rise in popularity in teenagers today, and they talk about how they battled and overcame it, once again proving that if you have the willpower to do better, it will get better
CuCu is the most inspirational of them all because inspite of EVERYTHING she has gone through, with her beating cancer to her recent dilemma, she continues to greet everyday with a smile, showing us that no matter what, you cannot let anything get the best of you.
So no, Drag Race is not 'JUST’ a show.
