Shantay, you stay. Elizabeth Warren makes surprise ‘appearance’ at RuPaul’s DragCon
Elizabeth Warren’s booth at DragCon 2019. (Xorje Olivares/ Twitter)
Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren set up a campaign booth manned by queer staff at RuPaul’s DragCon, and it was incredible.
Complete with posters coloured as different Pride flags and a cardboard cutout of Warren wearing a rainbow feather boa, the booth made Warren the first presidential candidate to campaign at the world’s largest drag convention.
.@TeamWarren is at #DragCon and already having a blast talking to so many folks who are excited about @ewarren and her plans for the LGBTQ+ community! A bunch of our queer staff will be here this weekend. Come say hi! And hot tip: Text “Queen” to 24477 for something special! pic.twitter.com/ww3tsVVHDQ
— Ben O'Keefe (@benjaminokeefe) September 6, 2019
Although she couldn’t be there in person, Warren recorded a special video message which was broadcast at the convention.
She encouraged attendees to make sure they had registered to vote, and said: “When we make our voices heard, when we get into the fight, we win.
“I’m in this fight for an America that works for everyone, not just for a thinner and thinner slice at the top. I’m in this fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to make sure everyone is free to be who they are, and to love who they love.
“A record number of trans Americans were killed last year, disproportionately trans women of colour.
“We need to call it out, and we need to fight back. Everyone should be able to go to school, to work, to get healthcare, or just walk down the street without fear of discrimination of violence.
“Equal means equal, period. That’s what I’m fighting for, and I’m honoured to fight by your side.
“I hope you all have a fabulous time at DragCon and I’m counting on you to keep making your voices heard.”
Did you miss @ewarren's message to @RuPaulsDragCon? Don't worry, we saved it for you! #DragCon pic.twitter.com/7zFZpMl9Y8— Team Warren (@TeamWarren) September 8, 2019
Shea Coulée said Elizabeth Warren was a “great ally”.
Shea Coulée, of RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine fame, spoke at the booth and told NBC: “I knew that I could get a lot of attention for her, to bring some awareness to her campaign.
“We had so many conversations with so many young people and voters, and I think it’s important that we get these young voters fired up and excited about the next presidential election.”
Coulée added: “The folks at DragCon extended an invitation to all of the Democratic candidates to come to DragCon, and she is the only one that accepted the invitation. She’s shown herself to be a great ally.”
The week before last, Warren spoke out against trans and non-binary people being subjected to invasive searches at airports in the US, calling it “dehumanising”.
