Drag Isn't Dangerous

Drag Isn't Dangerous: A Digital Fundraiser is a charity livestream telethon that was held on May 7, 2023, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm (EDT).

Drag Isn't Dangerous
Also known asDrag Isn't Dangerous: A Digital Fundraiser
GenreTelethon
Created byProducer Entertainment Group
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production companies
Release
Original releaseMay 7, 2023 (2023-05-07)

Background
Main article: Tennessee drag ban

An anti-drag Tennessee bill was first introduced in late February 2023, that bans public "adult cabaret performance" in front of children in the state of Tennessee.[1] This bill was marked as "vague" and "authoritarian" in what it considers an "adult cabaret performance" although it defines it as a "male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest."[2]

The bill was signed on March 2, 2023, by Republican governor Bill Lee.[3] Tennessee is the first state in the United States to restrict public drag performances,[4] and is expected to go into effect on July 1, 2023.[5] This bill sparked outrage throughout the United States, including among politicians and drag queens.[6] A federal judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Tommy Parker, halted the Tennessee bill citing First Amendment concerns.[7] Other states in the US, such as Arizona,[8] Oklahoma,[9] and Texas,[10] have introduced similar anti-drag bills in 2023.[11]

Before main event

Developments and planning
Promotional poster for the telethon

In March 2023, Producer Entertainment Group co-partnered with Black Queer Town Hall to create a telethon campaign named, Drag Isn't Dangerous, with several companies and organizations co-presenting it.[12] They planned the telethon event to "raise awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ causes and organizations that support drag and trans performers".[13]

The campaign event premiered on May 7, 2023, at 4:00 pm (PDT).[14] Online tickets were made available after the online telethon was announced for USD$20 via the livestreaming service Moment.[15] An official pre-show fundraiser was later set up for people to donate, through Tiltify. Campaign merch was also released to the public, with all proceeds going to the telethon.[16]

Many drag queens, such as Sherry Vine and Jackie Beat, announced their inclusion. The lineup also revealed several RuPaul's Drag Race contestants would take part in the event, such as Ginger Minj, Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Manila Luzon, and Trixie Mattel.[17] Frankie Grande, Brandon Stansell, and Justin Martindale also joined the event.[18]

In mid-April, many actors and comedians such as Margaret Cho, Leslie Jones, Ts Madison, Amy Schumer, and Charlize Theron, signed up for the telethon event.[19][20] Throughout the telethon's social media, they revealed an official line-up of the event with over one-hundred participants.[21]

Main event

The telethon occurred in Los Angeles, with drag queen Peppermint and comedian Justin Martindale being the main hosts.[22] Alaska Thunderfuck and actor Adam Shankman, were co-hosting at some points in the telethon. An official GoFundMe campaign was launched for people to donate.

Timeline

The show began at 7:00 pm EDT. The telethon consisted of musical performances, speeches, conversations between celebrity operators and donors calling in, and comedic skits.

Celebrity phone operators

Broadcast

The telethon was broadcast live, exclusively through Moment. It was also covered online such as YouTube and Twitch, though some parts were removed from its Moment deal.

Money raised

Thanks to your generosity we were able to raise over half a million dollars for the Drag Isn’t Dangerous fund to gift our beneficiaries to combat this rash of harmful anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation.

— Jacob Slane and David Charpentier, thanking the people who donated to Drag Isn't Dangerous.[23]

At the end of the telethon event, their official GoFundMe campaign received over USD$523,000, including the ticket sale made from Moment.[24] Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova announced that "they'll host a livestream of the final night" of their tour, Trixie And Katya Live, a portion of their funds will be donated to the telethon's campaign.[25] All of the proceeds is set to be donated to "GLAAD, GLSEN, HeadCount, Black Queer Town Hall," and others.[26]

Money raised for Drag Isn't Dangerous (2023)
Moment ticket sale GoFundMe fundraiser Total amount raised
$208,000 $315,000 $523,000+

Discography

A charity single was released on the same day as the telethon premiere, May 7, titled "Drag Isn't Dangerous" (2023). The single is performed by Jayelle and Ocean Kelly, written by Ashley Gordon, Drew Louis, and Ocean Kelly, and produced by Drew Louis. All the revenue from the song's downloads will be donated to the telethon.[27]

List of singles
Title Year Songwriters Producer Ref.
"Drag Isn't Dangerous"
(performed by Jayelle and Ocean Kelly)		 2023 Ashley Gordon, Drew Louis, Ocean Kelly Drew Louis [28]

See also

References
  1. Bulbul, Nuray (March 7, 2023). "Tennessee drag ban: Why has the state banned drag performers and what does the law say?". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  2. Perry, Sophie (February 23, 2023). "Tennessee just banned drag shows in chilling blow for LGBTQ+ rights". PinkNews. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  3. Santucci, Jeanine; Brown, Melissa (March 2, 2023). "Tennessee drag show restrictions, ban on gender-affirming care for minors signed into law". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  4. Johnson, Kailynn (March 27, 2023). "Tennessee Drag Ban Will Reduce LGBTQ-Friendly Spaces and Disrupt Community". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  5. Mizelle, Shawna; Alsup, Dave (March 3, 2023). "Tennessee becomes first state in 2023 to restrict drag performances". Cable News Network. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  6. Baker-Jordan, Skylar (March 2, 2023). "Why the Tennessee ban on drag shows should terrify us all". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  7. Kruesi, Imberlee (April 1, 2023). "Judge blocks law restricting drag shows in Tennessee". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  8. Rubin, Jordan (February 1, 2023). "Arizona drag bill shows danger of the GOP's identity obsession". MSNBC. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  9. Burga, Solcyre (February 23, 2023). "An Oklahoma Bill Could Jail Drag Performers. Why the Right Is Targeting Drag Shows". Time. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  10. Lennard, Natasha (March 24, 2023). "Texas Republicans Just Proposed a Bounty on Drag Shows". The Intercept. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  11. Burga, Solcyre (March 5, 2023). "Tennessee Passed the Nation's First Law Limiting Drag Shows. Here's the Status of Anti-Drag Bills Across the U.S." Time. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  12. Factora, James (March 22, 2023). "Your Favorite Drag Artists Are Hosting a Telethon Against Drag Bans". Them. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  13. Sim, Bernando (March 21, 2023). "Every Drag Artist Performing At the 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon". Out. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  14. Johnson, Julia (March 21, 2022). "'Drag isn't dangerous': Drag queens to perform in telethon against 'anti-LGBTQ+' laws". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  15. Daw, Stephen (March 22, 2023). "Trixie Mattel, Bob the Drag Queen & More to Fight Back With 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Event". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  16. Major, Micheal (May 4, 2023). "Idina Menzel, Jinkx Monsoon & More Join 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  17. Nolfi, Joey (March 20, 2023). "RuPaul's Drag Race winners and queer icons unite for telethon combatting anti-drag politics". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  18. Damshenas, Sam (March 22, 2023). "Drag Isn't Dangerous: Here are all the stars performing at the telethon". Gay Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  19. Shatto, Rachel (April 19, 2023). "A-List Stars Sign On For 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon". Pride. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  20. Freeman, Jon (April 18, 2023). "Charlize Theron, Jesse Eisenberg Sign On for 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  21. Rob, Watson (May 3, 2023). "'Drag Isn't Dangerous' telethon Sunday: Queens are fighting back". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  22. Furdyk, Brent (May 7, 2023). "Charlize Theron, Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa McCarthy & more set for star-studded 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' telethon". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  23. Paul, Larisha (May 8, 2023). "'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon Raises Over $500,000 in Donations for LGBTQ+ Charities". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  24. Sim, Bernando (May 8, 2023). "Here's How Much Money the 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon Raised". Out. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  25. Scheetz, Cameron (May 8, 2023). "The Drag Isn't Dangerous Telethon was gag after gag, raising over half a million for the LGBTQ+ community". Queerty. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  26. Daw, Stephen (May 8, 2023). "Drag Isn't Dangerous Telethon Raises More Than $500,000 for LGBTQ Causes". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  27. "Drag Isn't Dangerous Telethon Adds More Talent To The Spectacular Lineup". Queerful. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  28. Kelly, Ocean; Jayelle (May 7, 2023). "Drag Isn't Dangerous – Single". Apple Music (US). Retrieved May 7, 2023.
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