Los Angeles, CA – May 8, 2023 – The organizers of “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” the biggest fundraising effort to combat recent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation to date, are proud to announce they have raised over $500,000.00.
Related: Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon Adds Adam Lambert, Melissa McCarthy, Idina Menzel and more
The highlight of the campaign – a one-night-only telethon – co-executive produced by prolific TV, Film and Broadway figure Matt Weaver (Rock of Ages, Chef’s Table, Jiro Dreams of Sushi) with management firm Producer Entertainment Group, Di Sorbetto and BC Live was held Sunday, May 7, at www.moment.co/dangerous
The livestream event was hosted by writer/actor/comedian Justin Martindale (Hulu, E!) who also served as head writer and co-host alongside Drag Superstar Alaska 5000, Director/Choreographer Adam Shankman and actress/Drag Entertainer Peppermint (“A Transparent Musical,” “Survival of The Thickest”).
The inspiring show featured a mix of live and pre-taped performances (Jinkx Monsoon, Jake Wesley Rogers, Tammie Brown, Bob The Drag Queen, Leadr, Lagoona Bloo, Lala Ri, Ginger Minj, Kelly Mantle, Tony Award nominee Tom Kitt w/Idina Menzel & Friends, Trixie Mattel, Joey McIntrye and son Griffin McIntyre, Monét X Change backed by a choir, Peaches & Alaska 5000 ), appearances (Marcia Gay Harden, Leslie Jones), and testimonials from drag performers, LGBTQIA+ entertainers (Margaret Cho, Frankie Grande, Lance Bass) and celebrity allies (Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman, Melissa McCarthy), as well as a live celebrity phone bank accepting callers’ donations (Laganja Estranja, Jai Rodriguez, Kerri Colby, Sherry Vine, Trinity The Tuck).
“I wish I could say that I am glad to be here, but I am appalled I have to be at something called ‘Drag Isn’t Dangerous’. Imagine a world where dancers are told they can’t dance; imagine a world where artists are told they cannot take paint to canvas…because it is ‘bad for children.’ That is what is happening to drag right now.” – Michelle Visage
“Drag isn’t dangerous, but Leslie Jones IS!” said an irate Leslie Jones.
“All my children are queer… “One is non binary, one is gay. My first boyfriend was gay and my conservative Naval Officer dad loved him. “Why are we having to advocate for creativity and imagination? It is so fear-based. We know what love is.” – Marcia Gay Harden
“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
The initiative 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 were 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 all contributed significant funds and/or resources to the cause. See below for a full list of participating talent.
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 aired live on the telethon and has been released on all streaming services. 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, Amber Tamblyn, Amy Redford, Ashley Fink, BeBe Zahara Benet, Billy Eichner, Blair Erskine, Bob The Drag Queen, The Boulet Brothers, Brandon Stansell, Bridget Everett, Candis Cayne, Charlize Theron, Charlotte Goodenough, Choriza May, Chris Wood, Crème Fatale, Danielle Cabral, Darcy & Jer, Desmond Is Amazing, Devon Green & Ned Douglas, Divina de Campo, Elizabeth Banks, Emma Hunton, Ethan Weaver, Eureka O’Hara, Frankie Grande, Ginger Minj, Glass Battles, Henry Platt,Idina Menzel, IMHO (Alexis P Bevels & Darby Lynn Cartwright), Isaac Mizrahi,Jack Falahee, Jackie Beat, Jai Rodriguez, Jane Castor (Mayor of Tampa, FL), JAX, Jen Kober, Jesse Eisenberg, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Joey McIntyre, Jujubee, Julian Burzynski, Justin Martindale, Katya, Kelly Mantle, Kerri Colby, Krista Llamas, Lala Ri, Laganja Estranja, Lagoona Bloo, 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, Nina West, Ocean Kelly, Orville Peck, Peaches, Peppermint, Salina EsTitties, Sarah, Hyland, Sarah Silverman, Scott Hoying, Sherry Vine, SNG, Stephen Trask, Tammie Brown, Tess Holliday,Tiffany Vogue, Tolliver, Tom Kitt, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel, TS Madison, Varla Jean Merman, VINCINT, Wilson Cruz, Zee Machine.
All net proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities (GLAAD, GLSEN, Headcount, Black Queer Town Hall, The ACLU Drag Defense Fund, Trans Justice Funding Project, Victory Fund ) that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, especially in states where they face discrimination and bans. We will keep you updated at www.drangisntdangerous.com as we name new beneficiaries. 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.
Direct ticket link for “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” fundraiser: Go Fund Me link
For more information and updates on the “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” campaign, visit www.dragisntdangerous.com.
Source: Ken Phillips Publicity Group, Inc.
