The Enduring Impact of RuPaul's "Drag Race" as a Symbol of Visibility
The Enduring Impact of RuPaul's "Drag Race" as a Symbol of Visibility
Over the past couple of months, the portrayal of queer characters in media has witnessed significant shifts, with some major studios and streaming services like Disney, Netflix, HBO, and others potentialy slowing down or even halting the growth of openly queer shows. Reasons behind this shift include altered priorities, focusing on other demographics, and increased political pressure. The need for queer representation has never been more vital.
Shows such as live-action series like The Wilds, The L Word: Generation Q, and cartoon programs including The Owl House and Steven Universe – which had gained acclaim from fans for their brave storytelling and inclusiveness – were sadly cancelled or ended prematurely, following their introduction of more overt LGBT+ characters and themes in their storylines. However, in the face of this confusing phase in queer media, Drag Race has remained a powerful symbol of queer and trans visibility.
While other shows have appeared to tone down their queer and inclusive themes, Drag Race remains a staple in the community, centering around themes of inclusivity and unapologetic self-expression. Amidst the competition, contestants like season 5 and All Stars 8 icon Monica Beverley Hillz – who came out as trans with no other trans contestants present – have come out, and the show now actively encourages trans contestants through open castings. As a result, seasons like season 14 have seen a significant representation of trans contestants, such as Kerri Colby, Bosco, Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté, Willow Pill, and Jasmine Kennedie – who publicly came out during an Untucked segment, sharing an emotional and heartfelt moment with Kerri.
The streaming platform WOW Presents Plus, managed by the show's production company World of Wonder, offers greater control over the show's content and storylines. With most content on the platform independently financed, the show's creative decisions are largely made "in-house," enabling it to maintain a focus on its core demographic of LGBT+ people and their allies. WOW's founders, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, have also made a commitment to producing more content in the current political and social climate, ensuring that they will continue to deliver positivity to their audience.
As Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato stated during a Zoom call with Variety, "Both of us made this commitment to find some light and positiveness instead of dwelling in the darkness." They added, "It’s scary, but also we need to do what we do best and that’s making what we make, being kind, being loving and reaching out to people who aren’t just in our tribe."
Regardless of the demographic or story being told, visibility alone does not guarantee or equate longevity in mainstream media. However, in an unpredictable environment where the future of queer and trans representation is uncertain, Drag Race can persist in creating the content it chooses, despite encountering pressure and limitations from the outside.
Despite the cancellation or premature ending of shows like "The Owl House" and "Steven Universe," which showcased LGBT+ characters and themes, the popularity and impact of "Rupaul's Drag Race" as a symbol of queer and trans visibility remains unwavering. The streaming platform WOW Presents Plus, managed by World of Wonder, allows the show to maintain a focus on its LGBT+ audience and continues to produce content that delivers positivity and representation, even in the current political and social climate.