Ru Paul has responded to backlash over Drag Queens reading at libraries during his speech at the Emmys, calling out the controversy.
The 63-year-old took to the stage to give a speech after his TV show won the Reality Competition award for the fifth consecutive year. The celebrity calling out the controversy of drag queens not being allowed to read to children in libraries, is as honest as Ru Paul’s Drag Race’s favorite segment – when the “library is open”. There has been much debate surrounding queens holding reading sessions at libraries in the US.
Ru Paul accepts his Emmy, calling out legislation against drag queens
Rup Paul took to the stage at the Emmys awards show alongside other judges on the series such as Michelle Visage. He then gave a rousing speech in which he explained: “Knowledge is power.”
“Thank you so much, you lovely, lovely people,” the Hollywood star began. “We are so honored to have this award. Listen, you guys are just pure lovely for honoring our show and recognizing all of these queens.
“We have released into the wild hundreds of drag queens and they’re beautiful.”
This win marks the fifth year of the long-running drag competition winning the award.
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One of the music stars many drag queen alumni, Princess Poppy (AKA Troll-Sash-Hag) stepped out on stage to join in the celebrations.
“On behalf of all of them, we thank you,” Ru said.
He continued: “If a drag queen wants to read you a story at a library, listen to her because knowledge is power and if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you.”
“So listen to a drag queen! We love you! Thank you!”
Drag queens and libraries
Since 2015, drag queens have been reading children and their family’s books at local libraries. On their website, they state: “DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.
“In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!”
Over the past couple of years, the organization has been called out by some as “sexualizing” children among other statements, and it has caused some libraries who hold these events to be hounded by demonstrations.
Like in his Emmys speech, Ru Paul has previously spoken about his beliefs on drag. He told CBS Mornings in 2019 the act was supposed to be “dangerous.”
“Honestly, I don’t really want it to be acceptable. Drag is dangerous. It’s political. It’s funny. It breaks all the rules. And that’s what makes it exciting,” the movie actor said.
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