RuPaul’s Drag Race: why is it so influential?
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With 11 seasons, 4 All Star's and more than 20 Emmy nominations, RuPaul's Drag Race has become one of the most important television shows
Since its premiere in 2009, RuPaul's Drag Race has become a space of visibility and reference for the LGBTI community. The program allows not only to perceive the collective, but also links a bridge between being a drag and the different problems in which they can be exposed, without leaving aside the glamorous and fun part.
Read in english: RuPaul’s Drag Race: ¿por qué es tan influyente?
RuPaul's Drag Race presents a drag queens competition where they compete in different areas such as music, fashion, acting and comedy, to be the 'next drag superstar of the United States'. However, it shows beyond the competition the most human side of its competitors and different living situations.
Given the low visibility without stigmas of the LGBTIQ + community on the screen a few years ago, this program has meant a safe space to show important realities and activism, not only on a global level, but within the collective drag itself. A program that leaves a clear message of the importance of representativeness and fraternity to achieve a safer world for the LGBTIQ + community.
Queens – as the contestants are called – of different nationalities, races, colors, shapes and styles, have paraded through the RPDR catwalk and left their particular mark, a clear reminder that there are a host of features that need to be shown in the screen.
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Who is RuPaul?
RuPaul Andre Charles has been a part of the drag industry for decades and has been a part of entertainment in areas such as music, film, television, modeling and more.
She is considered one of the most important drag queen in the history of the United States and is among the list of the 100 most influential people of Time magazine, because her career has marked a before and after in the presence of the community LGBTIQ + in the different media.
RuPaul's Drag Race has been one of the most outstanding chapters in his career because, in addition to allowing the representation of the drag collective in television and platforms such as Netflix, it gives the possibility to the different artists of the drag to promote their work and develop an identity.
During the program, RuPaul shows its sensitive side to help the contestants on topics that can become extremely sensitive for them and in which, in addition, many viewers can be identified regardless of gender, orientation or sexual identity.
More than a TV show
While the drag is nothing new, much less was invented in 2009 with RPDR, it is undeniable the influence it has had on pop culture and how it has forged a base for the expansion of activism of the LGBTIQ + community. It has also been a screen to show those elements that have become popular, but they have roots in drag and we do not know it.
It is a platform for the 'queens' to express themselves and show a position on the importance of different issues that affect the LGBTIQ + community. From discrimination, to the importance of reducing stigmas, the competition has been used to talk about issues of global complexity and to generate awareness in its public.
The trans community has also received great benefit from RPDR, because it has been a showcase to show certain queens that today are transgender women and that without the program would not have achieved success in different entertainment platforms, made visible and open spaces for other transgenders.
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RPDR in the future
The program can currently be viewed through VH1 in the United States and on the Netflix platform for Latin America. He is currently in season 11 and RuPaul has confirmed the completion of at least 3 more seasons.
Different artists, athletes, comedians and more have passed through the jury of the competition, but there are many more who have expressed how the program has not only had a positive impact worldwide, but has been an influence of its own in different aspects.
Currently it is impossible to talk about drag without referencing RuPaul's Drag Race and I know that in the future it will not be different, the program will continue to be a window for the drag, the authenticity of its 'queens' and an LGBTIQ + activism platform.
LatinAmerican Post | Desiree Lugo Fuentes
Translated from "RuPaul’s Drag Race: ¿por qué es tan influyente?"
