the heat Race's Killer Queens RuPaul's leading ladies refuse to compromise in adivided world

BY JOE LYNCH PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAMI DRASIN

nthe 25 years since bursting ON MUSIC'S RELATIONSHIP into view with the 1992 single WITH DRAG "Supermodel (You Better Work)," Ru's music is so good, RuPaul has continued to bring drag whether he's singing as aman or culture to the mainstream with the woman, and that's what's empowering. long-running reality series RuPaul's [Without that example], Idon't think , now in its ninth season. In a from American Idol discussion moderated by Tamar Braxton, would have produced the music he past Drag Race competitors Mariah has coming right off the show. It took Balenciaga,Derrick Barry,Willam Belli, drag for him to find that voice and be and Manila Luzon reflect comfortable in that persona. on RuPaul's cultural impact and MANILA LUZON As drag queens, Pride Month in the Trump era. '... we're so used to being told that we have to lip -sync for our ON BREAKING shows. But on RuPaul's Drag BOUNDARIES Race, the audience doesn't PANDORA BOXX When RuPaul } even care what song you sing came out with "Supermodel," — they're just excited to see us. you saw drag change. Before, RuP aul people liked drag and came to ON WHAT PRIDE MEANS shows but they didn't want to admit TO THEM IN 2017 it. [After] the song, straight people BARRY We have to be more visible wanted to come because they saw than ever. Iremember telling my fans RuPaul on MTV. [after the 2016 tragedy at the Pulse MARIAN BALENCIAGA What Ilove about nightclub in Tampa, Fla.] that it is so her is the fact that she came from an important for you to be out, vocal and eclectic background, so when girls on visible right now. Ifeel like with the the show or drag queens or anybody Trump administration, it's the same says, "I can't do that, that's not who I thing. We have to be bigger for this am," you can be whoever and whatever Pride because we are now under a the fuck you want to be. Create it. You microscope. This is our time to get just have to find the avenue for yourself, people united. It has to be universal for and she has done that. us to progress. 0

TAKING PRIDE A Great Big World's Chad King Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste IN LGBTO The first time Iheard Freddie Mercury Even at ayoung age Ihad this innate Iwas in afriend's dorm room, smoking sense of relating to George Michael MUSIC HEROES pot, trying to escape the feeling that King as ahomosexual male, without even Droste people were suspicious of my sexuality realizing my own sexuality or him being out. June is a time to honor when Queen's "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy" came Iremember him coming out in 1998 and feeling asense the lesbian, gay, bisexual, on. Never before had Iheard of relief and ease with my transgender and questioning or felt that kind of flamboyant young burgeoning instinct. I community's rich history fearlessness and unabashed was yet to experience anything and highlight its remarkable artistry. It was as if every single gay for another year, but in achievements. To celebrate piece of Freddie was in that many ways, seeing him step Pride Month, Billboard asked performance. He embraced his out in the public helped me modern music stars to pen identity, poured it into his art and decide to never hide once I essays about their favorite queer gave it life. He was unafraid to started making music. He icons, and how their sounds, share his true self with the world. gave me the strength to be a lyrics and overall images Instantly, Freddie became one of gay public figure, and for that, influenced anew era of artistry. my biggest inspirations. Iam so grateful.

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