After the deafening silence of the opposition to Trump’s despicable, and probably totally illegal acts, aimed at destroying our community, it is so heartening to discover that North of our border, there is real motivated opposition. On March 6th, a partnership of more than 140 drag artists and allies came together to form Drag the Vote, They are using their social followings to warn against a rising tide of fear, hate and misinformation about LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada from the politically right-wing and conservative voices who appear to be taking the lead in the Elections that are about to happen.
“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.
Fae Johnstone, Momentum’s executive director and co-founder of Drag the Vote. “A lot of performers want a way to use their platforms to respond to this terrifying rise in hate,” says “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.”
Marx, a trans woman who founded Queer Citizens United stressed how crucual it is now to build solidarity between marginalized group, because today around the globe it’s the rightwing who are more united and organized.
Though Drag the Vote is officially non-partisan, organizers are hoping that a renewed call in political engagement can overwhelm and defeat anti-trans and queer governments, as happened with New Brunswick’s Conservative government in late 2024. They are setting a standard that other LGBTQ+ communities should follow especially in the USA.
PS Students of our queer past will remember that in the legendary Stonewall Riots it was the Drag Queens who led the charge, Looks like history is repeating itself
