Drag Isn’t Dangerous. But after Sunday’s live Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon, we know for sure that Drag Is capable of putting on an incredible, star-studded live telecast that raised over half a million dollars for the LGBTQ+ community.
That’s right, by the end of the gag-worthy four-hour telethon, the campaign has raised $523,773!
The drag world’s biggest names, queer celebs, and all-star allies all turned up and turned out for the one-night-only Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon event which sought to raise funds and awareness for LGBTQ+ causes and organizations across the country amidst a rising wave of hateful legislation targeting the drag and trans communities.
It was an emotional night, but one that serves as a reminder that we’re stronger together. And, while certain politicians may try to stoke fear and silence us, we’re not going anywhere!
The telecast took place over two locations, emceed by two dynamic duos: Drag/Broadway legend Peppermint and comedian Justin Martindale were a delight as they oversaw the live phone bank—yes, just like in those classic TV telethons of yore! And then sickening All Stars champ Alaska and award-winning director and choreographer Adam Shankman hosted a second stage that featured stunning performances and moving conversations.
Meanwhile, a whole cast of icons were on-hand to speak with the night’s donors, answering live phone calls, including Ginger Minj, Laganja Estranja, Monét X Change, Trinity The Tuck, Johnny Sibilly, Kerri Colby, Tammie Brown, Jai Rodriguez, and—fresh off her hit run in Broadway’s Chicago—your Queen Of All Queens, Jinkx Monsoon.
Plenty of other famous faces popped up in pre-taped sketches and special video messages, including Charlize Theron (who offered a direct show of support: “I will f*ck anyone who messes with you!”), Billy Eichner, Michelle Visage, Cheri Oteri, Sasha Colby, Jesse Eisenberg, Elizabeth Banks, the Boulet Brothers, Loni Love, Sarah Hyland, Jackie Beat, and Marcia Gay Harden—just to name a few.
And, if you bought a ticket to watch along, you were treated to some exclusive live performances from the likes of hostess with the mostest Alaska, Vincint, Idina Menzel, Peaches, Kelly Mantle, Bob The Drag Queen, Tom Kitt, and the skinny legend herself, Trixie Mattel.
Speaking of Trixie, she and her UNHhhh co-host Katya announced plans today to keep the funds raising: Beginning on June 1, they’ll host a livestream of the final night of their record-breaking Trixie And Katya Live! tour, with a portion of those proceeds going directly to the Drag Isn’t Dangerous campaign. The show will stream exclusively through Veeps through June 15, and fans can purchase access—plus special behind-the-scenes upgrades at www.trixieandkatyalive.com.
Which is all to say: Just because the Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon is over, that doesn’t mean the fight is! The entire telethon will remain online for the 48 hours after its conclusion, and you can still purchase a ticket to watch along at www.moment.co/dangerous.
Or, if you’d just like to donate, that can be done directly at the Drag Isn’t Dangerous GoFundMe page. Additionally, official campaign merch is available on PEG’s webstore, with all proceeds going to charity.
Thanks to our friends at Producer Entertainment Group (PEG) for spearheading this incredible cause. We at Queerty and Q.Digital are proud partners alongside the folks at GLAAD, OUTtv, Five Senses Reeling, Trixie Cosmetics, SERV Vodka, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the telethon on or YouTube channel below:
dbmcvey
Excellent! It was very enjoyable.
ShaverC
Was the $523,773 raised for the “LGBTQ+ community” (paragraph 1), or is it going to “charity” (paragraph 11)? How much money does each member of the LGBTQ+ get? Which “charities” are getting the funds?
abfab
The SAVE US FROM THE GOP TROLLS WHO HANG AROUND LIBERAL GAY WEBSITES WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT WELOME CHARITY…..They will be getting the bulk.
abfab
And a few bucks for those here (inbama, incorrectio, shavers, George Santos, etc) who want to get their GEDs.
correctio
for the record, I am a leftist, and your bizarre, unhinged attempts to claim that I am George Santos (???) are meaningless. you are a conspiracy theorist
but also, take a look at the top of the page: it says “free of any agenda (except that gay one)”
maybe now more accurate to say: “free of any agenda (except the neoliberal identity politics one)”
inbama
Don’t waste your breath on abflab.
To paraphrase Barney Frank’s reply to a woman who compared Barack Obama to Hitler back in 2009, “Trying to have a conversation with her is like trying to argue with a dining room table.”
JaredNorthcutt30
I lol-ed at the neoliberal agenda line. Oddly enough, my Facebook feed is full of working-poor trans people claiming they’re being forgotten by the LGBTQ community. From the looks of it, it will probably go to the neolib WeHo crowd and other big city areas. The poor trans person in rural Kansas? Good luck.
Bosch
All the trolls are standing in one spot! Quick, throw the net!!
correctio
I’ll look for my check in the mailbox. maybe some of it can go towards my healthcare premiums, which, btw, have gone up under Biden. it’s nice to live in a country where people get to profit off of illness
DBMC
It went to the ACLU drag defense fund, which is what the stated purpose is. It was never about giving handouts to the LGBT community. Why would anyone with any intelligence even think that?
DBMC
Correctio, put up or shut up.
inbama
@DBMC
That’s a good start, but it’s going to take way more than 500 grand to fight all those laws inspired by Story Hour.
ShaverC
“Drag Defense Fund”??? LOL Someone is getting rich off this.
dbmcvey
@inbama
That you think story hour is somehow sexualized says more about you than story hour.
dbmcvey
A lot of the posters on this site are really off the mark. The people donated specifically for the ACLU to bring suits against these drag bans. This was never “give gay conservatives a handout.” There are also dedicated ACLU funds for various other LGBT issues–and they defend conservatives who are facing silence. Find out what the ACLU is because there seems to be a lot of foolishness.
inbama
@dbmcvey
Why do you lie so much?
I have never said DQSH is “sexualized.”
I have said – and from the very beginning – it’s an unnecessary provocation. Whatever their intention, they’re providing visuals to people who hate us. And I was right. We shouldn’t have to raise money and be fighting to show we aren’t predators. That battle was won – until reckless a**holes took our hard-won rights for granted and played right into the hands of Republican strategists like Chris Rufo.
For all the letters added to LGBT, it seems there are few adults. No one who remembers our history or learns from it. And so we’re forced to repeat it.
JaredNorthcutt30
Dbmcvey makes crap up and/or regurgitates things he read on a Biden press release. Similar to the Trump people. America is a parody right now.
JaredNorthcutt30
I’ve said drag is sexualized, though. I remember that RuPaul Drag Race queen who groomed children under the guise of performing. A real person. But “Oh, look the other way. Nothing to see here.”
JaredNorthcutt30
Sharon Needles. The Daily Beast wrote an article about it. But you know, The Daily Beast is conservative now and in bed with Rick Santorum, so,
dbmcvey
Jared, you’re making crap up and you don’t seem to know how the law or the ACLU works.
DBMC
I’m embarrassed that it took me this long to realize that you, Jared, Inbama and correctio, despite making all these comments, did not know what the point of this telethon and where the money was going to. It makes me wonder if you’re even posting from the USA because the stories of these anti-drag laws have been well publicized.
JaredNorthcutt30
You’re not going to address the channels that permitted Sharon Needles’s abuse? Very convenient there. I’m sure that in your purview the Daily Beast has been infiltrated by the same folks running The Washington Times. Pivot away, my guy.
DBMC
What channels? She won Drag Race and when the accusations came out they cut ties.
JaredNorthcutt30
Alaska exposed his penis to the 15 year old. I don’t have my glasses, dcmvey. Is that Alaska in the picture there? My goodness gracious.
DBMC
Jared, you’re not a serious person. There’s no reason to deal with you.
JaredNorthcutt30
You can’t debate my points. I guess Daily Beast is overrun with conservatives.
JaredNorthcutt30
Frankly, I’d like to see a rural vs urban financial breakdown. Time and time again, the LGBTQ community (mostly G) shows priority to white urban gays. And that’s another reason I stopped with my gender transition. Services dictated by the white urban gay establishment. I’m ready for Gary Johnson to run again at this point. Both parties are a joke to me.
DBMC
Wow if you were any more full of it you’d be all over your basement apartment.
correctio
I agree that this would be an interesting topic to explore. Rural gays and other sexual/gender minorities face the difficult choice of staying in the place where they were born, learned to live and live, have family, etc. or moving to the city, which is a mixed bag.
Maybe more of that kind of reporting from queerly and less of the gawking at Republican ghouls?
JaredNorthcutt30
That’s what my trans Facebook feed talks about. For years. And now with Republican legislation, it’s the cause de jour among neoliberal white gays. It’s like we’re living in a sitcom.
JaredNorthcutt30
And I agree with you about healthcare and Biden. I don’t take any of these liberals seriously because they don’t take their pet issues seriously.
correctio
they really don’t! on climate change, raising the minimum wage, voting rights, lowering healthcare costs, etc. etc. — mostly just empty statements and political theater
dbmcvey
Frankly, this fund is set up to defend where needed. If there are drag performers and shows being silenced in rural areas the ACLU is there too. But, there are just more drag performers and venues in urban areas so that’s most likely where the majority of funds will go.
JaredNorthcutt30
In your answer, you just admitted my premise. “since drag is in urban gay centers”…so what’s being done about the rural queers. Say it with me. There is a hierarchy of needs in the LGBTQ community. It operates just like cis white capitalism, gang!
dbmcvey
If rural gay queers are having their civil rights oppressed the ACLU is there. Really Jared, you don’t seem to be aware of things.
JaredNorthcutt30
You wanna tell that to the rural trans people on my Facebook right now? They’re not being helped by the “community.”
dbmcvey
The money will go to fight state laws so it will most likely be used in red states that pass anti-drag laws.
JaredNorthcutt30
But you don’t know for a fact. As the above poster said, a lot of funding goes to overhead. Do you know for a fact? Say it with me. Queer capitalism usually operates like cis white male capitalism. It’s the same thing, but with wigs. So let’s really ask and investigate, yeah?
DBMC
I do know that for a fact. It goes to the ACLU and when money comes in to a non-profit for a specific purpose it has to go to that. You didn’t even know what the telethon was for and where the money was going, but you still thought your opinions and judgments were valid. You’re a phony Jared.
JaredNorthcutt30
Where’s the proof then? Words are words. In debate, you typically need to present evidence.
JaredNorthcutt30
It’s on the top floor.
Openminded
While many of you are showing your true colors by jumping up wondering where your hand out is, I’d like to congratulate all those who worked to raise this money and trust that those in charge will spend it wisely. It actually saddens me to know that somebody can stump their toe and drop their ice cream cone on the sidewalk and within 3 days they have a $2 Million dollar Go-Fund-Me balance in their name while it takes this large an effort to raise half a million for an actual worthy cause. Is there not over a half million LGBTQ people out there? Couldn’t we all give at least a dollar per person?
JaredNorthcutt30
No. Because I agree that drag needs to be better legislated. Detrans here. I’ve seen some crap over the last five years.
JaredNorthcutt30
Most trans people…the vast majority…can’t even pay for a complete transition. The very thing y’all are nattering on about is out-of-reach (already pre-Biden) for the vast majority of people. I don’t understand the need to fight tooth-and-nail for a day that will never arrive for the majority. Makes zero sense. Carry on, though.
correctio
“trust that those in charge will spend it wisely”
do you know anything about these kinds of operations? have you ever worked for a non-profit or known anyone who has? most of this $ will go to overhead
dems pull the same sh*t that republicans do with fundraising
dbmcvey
Jared’s story just keeps evolving in creepily convenient ways.
dbmcvey
Thank you! People like Jared are completely ignorant of what is going on and just trying to distract from the threat of LGBT people being silenced. The ACLU is there for everyone. If a conservative like Jared is ever illegally silenced he can bring his case to the ACLU and they will represent him.
JaredNorthcutt30
I talk about my experience. How is it evolving? In order to pass effectively, that requires $100,000. Since thirty percent of the trans community lives in extreme poverty, transition is unattainable goal by the neoliberal standard.
JaredNorthcutt30
And another thing: Nobody is trying to silence you. They don’t want propaganda force-fed to kids with undeveloped brains. Kinda like how you do when they try to forcefeed Christian propaganda to children. In a sane world, both instances wouldn’t be permitted. We live in America, though.
dbmcvey
I’m a cis white man, no one is trying to silence me, Jared, but they are trying to silence drag performers and trans people. That you don’t get what this event was about is more about you than anything going on here.
JaredNorthcutt30
They’re not trying to silence them. Last I checked, a Tennessee drag performer was allowed to perform for an over 18 crowd. This is another invented liberal narrative to make yourselves feel better while marginalized populations have been historically ignored by white, cis gay male demographics. Same as it ever was.
dbmcvey
Jared, the money will go to fight state laws so it will be spent in red states.
JaredNorthcutt30
You’re fighting for something that doesn’t already exist for most people. It’s silly.
dbmcvey
The Republicans have made this an issue where it shouldn’t have been. That is silly, but figthing them is not.
JaredNorthcutt30
It should be an issue. A child cannot comprehend medicalization and the American healthcare industry. You willing to have that conversation? It’s like putting a cancer warning on cigarettes.
DBMC
I’m sorry it took so long for me to realize that after all these posts and criticisms you’ve been doing you have absolutely no idea what this telethon was for and where the money is going. For all your posts you’re unaware of why this happened. It makes me question everything you’ve written all over again.
JaredNorthcutt30
I do know where’s it going and I said what I said. Children should not be watching drag queens. Same with cigarettes, same with guns.
DBMC
These laws go beyond children attending drag shows (which should be up to their parents, not the government). They put drag shows into adult entertainment categories which means in many states the venue can’t serve alcohol, so they wouldn’t be able to perform in gay bars (which children can’t go to anyway). They are also vague enough that people could be arrested for things like being in drag outside, speaking out against the politicians, etc…
DBMC
This was not a problem until Republicans decided to make it one and use it to continue to demonize LGBT people.
But, you didn’t know what this was about when you started posting all these opinions. You, Shaver, Inbama and correctio were all opining and judging things when you didn’t even know the point of this telethon.
JaredNorthcutt30
It became an issue when we saw sexualized performances. And yes, they made it an issue. As trans conservative YouTuber Blaire White said, “It wasn’t an issue until idiots started gyrating on children.” So yes, I wholeheartedly cosign most of the things you mentioned in the paragraph above.