“RuPaul’s Drag Race” has $2 million for the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund in the 14 months since the initiative was launched.
Formed in April 2023 in partnership with World of Wonder, MTV and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the Drag Defense Fund defends constitutional rights and creative expression in the LGBTQ community at a moment when they are under attack and have become a rallying cry for many GOP political leaders and activists.
Over the last year, the fund has helped defend and defeat multiple drag ban laws, ordinances, and more, while bringing attention to the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ attacks sweeping the nation by engaging the public on attempts to ban drag nationwide.
“Drag has a long history in the queer community as not only a source of joy and creativity but as a source of power. Thanks to the hard work and promotion of MTV, World of Wonder, and the queens of ‘Drag Race,’ the Drag Defense Fund continues to fuel our work defending LGBTQ rights across the country at a time those rights are under relentless attack,” said Josh Block, senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ and HIV Project. “We’re so thankful for this partnership and the support it provides our critical work defending LGBTQ people, our rights and our families.”
The fund has successfully worked to defend Pride events in Massachusetts and Tennessee. It has blocked drag ban laws in Texas, Florida and Montana.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” has been running for 16 seasons. The reality competition series has launched spinoff shows as well as international editions. “Drag Race” has won close to 30 Emmys.