Liverpool's drag legend, The Vivienne, has spoken out against America’s ban on drag shows for children.
The first-ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK condemned the state of Tennessee following the introduction of the ban last week.
The former Pride Quarter entertainer voiced her opinion on the situation to Attitude Magazine ahead of the Dancing on Ice final this weekend - Sunday, March 12.
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The renowned Cher impersonator told the LGBTQ+ lifestyle magazine: “It’s just madness. There are two conversations: there’s this whole ‘drag isn’t for children, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’ And to an extent, yes, not all drag is for children, just like not all movies are for children, just like stand-up comedians aren’t for children.”
Whilst Tennessee is the first state in the US to pass such a ban, other states including Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma have also introduced similar legislation. The bill restricts "adult cabaret performances" in public or in the presence of children, and bans them from occurring within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks, or places of worship.
Closer to home there have been protests against Drag Queen Story Hour up and down the UK in recent months.
As a result, several of the events have had to be cancelled. In Scotland, one event was called off after the host - Miss Peaches - was left feeling unsafe because of online threats. Another event was supposed to take place in Salisbury, Wiltshire, but had to change to a secret location due to the risk of protestors campaigning against it in the street.
The Vivienne added: “There are different facets of everything in life that children shouldn’t be a part of. I’m an adult comedian when I’m on stage. However, if I’m on Dancing on Ice, I know how to edit myself for a family show.”
The former 30-year-old pointed out how drag queens reading stories to children “is a lot less dangerous” than gun violence, trans rights and abortions - all of which contribute to people dying.
The drag queen explained how she has used her platform on Dancing On Ice as an opportunity to change perceptions.
She added: “I get so many messages from people saying, ‘I’ve never seen RuPaul’s Drag Race and I didn’t know who you were and we fell in love with you as a person.’ You get to see me a lot out of drag on Dancing on Ice. All my interviews and my behind-the-scenes are out of drag. People can see, ‘Oh, it’s just a normal person. They’re just wearing something different than the other competitors.’”
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