Los Angeles, CA – May 3, 2023 – The organizers of “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” the biggest fundraising effort to combat recent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation to date, are proud to announce that an overwhelming wave of entertainment industry talent, executives and businesses have signed on to participate in the live telethon broadcast worldwide Sunday, May 7 at moment.co/dangerous.
Related: Drag Isn’t Dangerous: Leading LGBTQ Organizations Join Forces For Star-Studded Livestream Fundraiser
The initiative is created by Producer Entertainment Group (PEG), a full-service artist management firm, record label and production company representing many of the world’s top drag queens and LGBTQIA+ talent. PEG is joined by a coalition of media groups and companies including Warner Music Group’s ADA, ACLU, GRAMMY Museum, Amazon’s Glamazon, UTA, Concord, GLAAD, HeadCount.org, Q.Digital, OUTtv, Five Senses Reeling/Obsessed, Trixie Cosmetics, SERV Vodka, Loyal Studios, DeleteMe, Victory Institute, Black Queer Town Hall and others who are contributing significant funds and/or resources to the cause. See below for a full list of participating talent.
“Freedom of expression is guaranteed and enshrined in our constitution’s First Amendment. Drag is nothing but artistic and personal expression and drag artists are simply that: ARTISTS. Drag has always been about entertainment and joy, and has always celebrated this most important of our freedoms. For centuries drag artists have dressed up, told stories, sang, danced, made us laugh, wince, or cry depending on the moment. Drag artists are not dangerous. Frankly, the only thing dangerous about drag is walking in 8 inch heels. That and being hunted by cowardly bigots looking for more young minds to groom into their own cultures of fear and intolerance. Our community has been through this before and every time they come for us, we grow stronger. We will fight and we will prevail, wigs, nails and lashes in place, and like Ginger Rogers did, “backwards and in heels”! – Adam Shankman
Drag brings hope, truth and laughter to a community that desperately needs it. We need to fight for drag rights because we need to fight for gay rights. For our rights. – Margaret Cho
“Glamazon celebrates Pride every day through community activism and engagement, and it is an honor to support the drag community through Drag Is Not Dangerous” said A.J. Mayers, Glamazon LA Co-Chair of Non-Profit Engagement & Volunteerism. “Drag helped bring queer culture to the mainstream – it unites us and makes us laugh. It’s difficult to see this art form challenged, and we look forward to locking arms together.”
“When we watch ourselves do something extraordinary it makes us feel like…”we can forget everything at home for a moment and enjoy the moment, be free, live free and exist! This is a beautiful way to express yourself and that’s why we should fight for Drag!” – Eureka O’Hara
Said Jesse Eisenberg: “The recent demonization of drag culture has been greatly upsetting and completely shocking to me. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many drag performers, including one of my idols, the incomparable Trixie Mattel, over the past several years. Drag artists represent joy, creativity and celebrate the many wonderful ways to be in our society. To attribute anything else to them is appalling and dangerous. I am heartened to see my peers and other allies of this community standing up against hate during this fraught time.”
“The nerve of these disingenuous politicians is unfathomable. The number one killer of children is guns and these NRA pawns deflect it with a completely fabricated problem that puts the drag community in danger. The hypocrisy is astounding.” -Sarah Silverman
“Drag is an art form that provides inspiration and empowerment. As soon as you try to define what Drag is, it changes forms and becomes something new. It’s an unstoppable force that cannot be silenced.” – Alaska
“It is unacceptable to allow politicians to force LGBTQIA+ people back into the shadows of society, so PEG – along with our colleagues, clients and allies – is using our collective influence to raise money and fight back,” said David Charpentier, Founder and Talent Manager, Producer Entertainment Group. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received so far.”
The highlight of the campaign is a one-night-only telethon on Sunday, May 7, at www.moment.co/dangerous. Hosted by a wide range of drag performers and celebrities, the event will feature a mix of live and pre-taped performances, appearances, and testimonials from drag performers, LGBTQIA+ entertainers and celebrity allies, as well as a live celebrity phone bank accepting callers’ donations.
Select cities have also signed on for in-person watch events. These fine cities will play host to the telethon; New York @ VERS NYC, El Paso, TX @ Touch Bar, Milwaukee, WI @ This Is It, Seattle, WA @ Flying Lion Brewery and in West Hollywood, CA @ Stache West Hollywood & Kitchen 24 with more being added.
In addition, a charity single, “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” Click Here featuring Jayelle & Ocean Kelly (Bob The Drag Queen) written by Ashley Gordon (Alaska, Trixie Mattel), Drew Louis & Ocean Kelly and produced by Drew Louis will be released on streaming services and performed live on the telethon. All revenue from the streaming and downloads of the song will be donated to the telethon.
The full list of confirmed talent for Drag Isn’t Dangerous includes:
Ada Vox, Adam Lambert, Adam Shankman, Alaska, Ali Wong, Amber Tamblyn, Amy Redford, Ashley Fink, BeBe Zahara Benet, Billy Eichner, Blair Erskine, Blu Hydrangea, Bob The Drag Queen, The Boulet Brothers, Brandon Stansell, Bridget Everett, Charlize Theron, Cheri Oteri, Chris Wood, Danielle Cabral, David Cross, Darcy & Jer, Darienne Lake, Desmond Is Amazing, Devon Green & Ned Douglas, Elizabeth Banks, Ella Vaday, Elektra Fence, Emma Hunton, Eureka O’Hara, Frankie Grande, Ginger Minj, Glass Battles, Henry Platt, Heidi N Closet, Idina Menzel, IMHO (Alexis P Bevels & Darby Lynn Cartwright), Isaac Mizrahi,Jack Falahee, Jackie Beat, Jasmine Kennedie, Jai Rodriguez, Jane Castor (Mayor of Tampa, FL), JAX, Jen Kober, Jesse Eisenberg, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Joey McIntyre, Jujubee, Justin Martindale, Katya, Kelly Mantle, Kelly Osbourne, Kerri Colby, Kitty Scott-Claus, Lala Ri, Laganja Estranja, Lance Bass, Leadr, Leland, Leslie Jones, Loni Love, Love Bailey, Manila Luzon, Marcia Gay Harden, Margaret Cho, Max Harwood, Melissa McCarthy, Mercy Collazo, Michelle Visage, Militia Scunt, Miz Cracker, Monét X Change, Nika King, Nina West, Orville Peck, Peppermint, Salina EsTitties, Sarah, Hyland, Sarah Silverman, Scott Hoying, Sherry Vine, SNG, Stephen Trask, Sutton Stracke, Tammie Brown, Tolliver, Tom Kitt, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel, TS Madison, Vanity Milan, Whitney Cummings, Wilson Cruz, VINCINT, Zee Machine with more names to be announced.*
Ticket sales & donations for the telethon have already surpassed $100K since the event was first announced. All net proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, especially in states where they face discrimination and bans. None of the performers or organizers are taking fees for their work on the campaign. All donations are tax deductible and 501c3 verification will be available on request.
The official pre-show donation page for “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” is at: https://tiltify.com/dangerous.
For more information and updates on the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” campaign, visit www.dragisntdangerous.com.
Direct ticket link for “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” fundraiser: www.moment.co/dangerous
Instagram: @dragisntdangerous
Source: Ken Phillips Publicity Group, Inc.
