‘No More Room for Hate, Only Love’: Charlize Theron Stands Firm Against Drag Bans
Charlize Theron, the acclaimed actress and LGBTQ+ ally, has voiced vehement support for the drag community, standing against proposed bans on public drag performances.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:24 PM ISTCharlize Theron, the acclaimed actress and LGBTQ+ ally, has voiced vehement support for the drag community, standing against proposed bans on public drag performances.
Award-winning actress Charlize Theron has publicly voiced her resolute support for the drag community amidst a rising wave of legislation seeking to ban public drag performances. Theron's staunch stance came during the "Drag Isn't Dangerous" telethon, a notable event in which a number of high-profile celebrities and LGBTQ+ allies participated.
Theron, the celebrated “Monster” Oscar winner and star of “Fast X,” responded passionately to the proposed prohibitions in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Montana, promising to stand in fierce opposition to anyone targeting the drag community. “We love you, queens. We’re in your corner and we’ve got you," Theron affirmed in a video. “I will not stand by while anyone threatens the drag community. There are so many real threats to our children, and it's certainly not a drag queen.”
The actress continued to articulate the joy and love inherent in drag performances, extolling their ability to foster happiness and promote a more loving society. She appealed to her viewers to support organizations combating such prohibitive legislation, stating, “Bye! No more room for hate, only love, and love equals drag queens!”
This opposition to the proposed bans has resonated in Hollywood. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick echoed Theron's sentiment in a widely circulated TikTok video, expressing their shared belief that "Drag is an art and drag is a right." They championed the nationwide effort to protect creative expression and encouraged their followers to support the ACLU Drag Defense Fund.
In an interview with IndieWire, "RuPaul’s Drag Race" stars Kerri Colby — the show's first trans woman participant — and Bosco, reflected on the significance of drag and its inclusivity in the current political climate.
Colby pointed to the evolution of drag personas as an integral part of self-discovery for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Bosco echoed these sentiments, underscoring the inherent link between drag and self-discovery, and emphasizing the importance of their show in showcasing this reality.
As state-level efforts to curb drag performances continue to make headlines, Charlize Theron's resolute stance in defense of the drag community signals a broadening wave of support. This unfolding narrative underscores the crucial role of influential public figures in championing the rights of marginalized communities.