Jazz Tangcay Makes The Case for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
June 28, 2019, marked the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. It’s an important moment in LGBTQ history, The 1969 Stonewall Riots would launch the modern gay rights movement. Individuals who had been oppressed and discriminated against fought back that night.
Oppression and discrimination against the LGBTQ community is a fight that still continues today in this country, and so, Emmy voters we have RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show earned 14 nominations and here are a few reasons why your vote matters, and why you need to give it all the awards.
1.Diversity Matters
The contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race are the definition of diversity. Every season, we see Queens from all walks of life coming on to the show. This season has featured the most diverse cast yet. Season 11 featured its first Muslim contestant; Mercedes Iman Diamond.
Mercedes moved to the US in her late teens and was disowned by her mother for being gay. But this show breaks down barriers. Year after year, Drag Race continues to be racially, socially and religiously inclusive. Mercedes served as a role model, a Queen representing that gay Muslim boy out there, watching the show, afraid to find their voice and scared to be true to who they are.
Plastique Tiara, from Vietnam, also grew up in close-knit religious communities and where being gay and doing drag are frowned up. Her family didn’t even know she was going to be on the show, but she says, the show opened them up to be having a tolerance for what she does. If there’s one thing Drag Race serves, it’s the determination of the human spirit. From Mercedes to Plastique, to every Queen that has ever appeared on the show, they are determined individuals who share their stories and their fight.
2. Representation Matters
In today’s America, representation matters. An LGTBQ child sits down after school. They might be bullied or picked on for being different. RuPaul’s Drag Race brings representation into homes across America. It starts a conversation with a parent or member of their family. The child sits down with their parents of family member to help open their mind to the world of drag. It gives that child hope. These Queens. Their stories show that child who feels alone, who gets bullied at school, who feels fear for being different, it shows them there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
There is always one Queen on the show who that child can relate to and help them understand what they are going through.
Ethan Petersen, the Emmy-nominated casting director says, “One of the biggest gifts of Drag Race is the effect it has had in the world. For all the young viewers, these Queens are people that they really get to look up to and to have that in the world that we live in today is so important. These kids watch these Queens, and they have someone who they inspire to be. At school, they might be different and be picked on, but they have someone in mainstream media who they can look up to, and that is one of the biggest gifts of working on the show.”
Judge Michelle Visage receives many messages from the fans of the show. Visage says, “They all talk about not loving themselves until they found RuPaul’s Drag Race. They all talk about their family not accepting them for whom they are and then they found drag race and knew that they weren’t alone and that they matter. For me to be able to be a part of a show, of a movement actually, that teaches love and acceptance is the greatest gift of all.”
3. RuPaul’s Drag Race is a celebration.
RuPaul’s Drag Race is much more than a competition show. It’s a celebration. The show is a celebration of love and acceptance. In the world we live in today where we’re exposed to hate and violence and oppression, a show that practices, RuPaul’s “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” is the show we need to bring attention to.
4. It’s just a hell of a lot of fun.
From great guest judges to mini-challenges, to drama. There’s no shortage of all things that make this show a must-watch. It’s always fun to watch the creativity flourish as the Queens serve us some divine looks. It’s even more fun to watch that lip-sync battle and see which Queen truly owns that stage as they perform to Britney or Lady Gaga. There’s far too much to comment about what makes Drag Race fun. All that matters is your vote.
Watch the Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent our Queens serve in the mini-challenge:
Emmy Voters, it is time to vote for your life and don’t F*** it up.
Vote For RuPaul’s Drag Race in the following categories:
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program – Pamela Post, Tim Palazzola, Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang, Bruce McCoy, Michele Mills, Jacqueline Wilson, Thairin Smothers, John Polly, Michelle Visage, Jen Passovoy
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Competition Program – RuPaul
Outstanding Directing For A Reality Program – Nick Murray
Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program – Jake Kerber
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program – Jamie Martin, Michael Lynn Deis, John Lim, Ryan Mallick, Michael Roha, Corey Ziemniak
Outstanding Costumes For Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Programming – Zaldy Goco, Art Conn
Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic) – Adam Burrell, Nicole Faulkner, Jen Fregozo, Natasha Marcelia, Karen Mitchell
Outstanding Hairstyling For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special – Hector Pocasangre
Outstanding Casting For A Reality Program – Goloka Bolte, Ethan Petersen
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: UNTUCKED
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program – Pamela Post, Tim Palazzola, Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Sam Heng, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang, Kenneth Leslie, Thairin Smothers, Jen Passovoy
Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program – Kendra Pasker, Shayna Casey, Stavros Stavropoulus
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL-STARS
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program – Molly Shock, Eileen Finkelstein, Michael Lynn Deis, Myron Santos, Steve Brown, Ray Van Ness and Michael Hellwig
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE’S: OUT OF THE CLOSET
Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction Or Reality Series – Tyler Hissey, Ray Hunt, Brittany Travis, Joseph Gerbino, Robert Diminico
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE’S: PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN
Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction Or Reality Series – Tyler Hissey, Ray Hunt, Brittany Travis, Joseph Gerbino
