Drag the Vote, launched March 6, is a partnership of more than 140 drag artists and allies who are using their social followings to warn against a rising tide of fear, hate and misinformation about LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada. It’s a trend they say is spurred by politically right-wing and conservative voices who appear to be gaining traction ahead of this year’s federal election.
“We’re trying to show people that you can use your vote in a responsible way, to promote a party or parties that will positively reflect our values and defend queer and trans rights,” says Karla Marx, a Calgary-based drag artist and originator of the Drag the Vote campaign in partnership with the queer advocacy organization Momentum.
Drag the Vote boasts the support of several Canada’s Drag Race alumni, including Priyanka, Xana, Bombae, Uma Gahd and more. It also features drag kings such as Eddi Licious, as well as artists who live outside of big cities like Yukon’s Maddy Warbucks and New Brunswick’s Rose Beef.
“A lot of performers want a way to use their platforms to respond to this terrifying rise in hate,” says Fae Johnstone, Momentum’s executive director and co-founder of Drag the Vote. “Performers will be doing social media posts, videos, distributing resources, posters, stickers—and then we’ll have Drag the Vote shows once voting registration happens.”