Drag Isn’t Dangerous: Justin Martindale — Photo courtesy of PEG
“They always say drag saves lives. It really did for me,” says Justin Martindale.
“I grew up in Texas, and it was a very conservative and very, very Christian background. And I just remember dealing with issues of, ‘Oh God, am I gay?’ And just even doubting that, and literally laying in my bed and being like, ‘Don’t make me gay, please, God, don’t make me gay.’ And then the opportunity to go to a Miss Texas Pageant finals, and I actually saw Alyssa Edwards competing in Dallas. I just remember, like, ‘Okay, this is it. This is fun. This is what I want to be a part of.'”
Alas, Martindale didn’t become a daughter in the House of Edwards. He became a comedian, performing standup nationwide, including in the 2023 solo standup special Gay Bash on OUTtv, writing for shows like Hulu’s Huluween Dragstravaganza, and hosting his popular podcast Just Sayin’.
The six-foot-four funny man loves and respects the art of drag, but he’s never donned heels outside of dressing up for Halloween. Although, “God bless. I wish I could. I wish I could contour,” he says, praising the talents of professional queens. “So many of them are amazing. And it’s just such a crazy life, you know? They’re always on the go, always doing something and just trying to live.”
Drag Isn’t Dangerous: Alaska — Photo: Albert Sanchez
Just trying to live, and currently under threat in states and municipalities around the U.S. from backwards legislation and hateful rhetoric bent on criminalizing drag. So the community has banded together to counter hate with joy and sequins with the Drag Isn’t Dangerous live telethon, produced by PEG, and broadcasting worldwide Sunday, May 7. The telethon will feature a bevy of stars so bright we’ll all need shades to watch.
Martindale, serving as the show’s head writer, also will co-host with drag superstar Peppermint, emceeing live and pre-taped performances, appearances, and testimonials from drag performers, LGBTQ entertainers and celebrity allies, as well as a live celebrity phone bank accepting donations.
The lineup includes, basically, all of your favorite Drag Race alums, plus celebs like Charlize Theron, Amy Schumer, The Boulet Brothers, Greyson Chance, Isaac Mizrahi, Leslie Jones, Loni Love, Margaret Cho, Ts Madison, David Cross, Marcia Gay Harden, Whitney Cummings, and Wilson Cruz.
Drag Isn’t Dangerous: Peppermint Chaise Lounge — Photo: Robert Frashure
The high-profile support for the cause is heartening, despite the disheartening fact that in 2023 we’re having to debate whether drag deserves space in society.
“I have a lot of people telling me it’s kind of sad that we even have to have something like this,” says Martindale. “And I completely agree. At the same time, I love these moments in our society and in our community and our culture where we band together to say, ‘No, no, we’re not doing this.'”
The performers and organizers of Drag Isn’t Dangerous, none of whom are taking fees for their work on the campaign, are raising their voices while raising money for charities that support LGBTQ causes and drag performers in need.
Martindale says it’s easy for him to support the cause.
Drag Isn’t Dangerous: Eureka — Photo: Bird Lambro
“Drag and the art of drag, I just appreciate so much, because I feel like, as a comedian, what we do is drag — we just don’t put on wigs and heels — and make a lot of money doing it. But it’s the same thing. It’s just expression and freedom.”
The Drag Isn’t Dangerous fundraiser telethon goes live Sunday, May 7 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are $23.97, including service fee. For a ticket to join, visitwww.moment.co/dangerous.
The ruling in Tennessee’s gender-affirming care case could unravel key legal wins for transgender Americans as lower courts are told to take another look.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered lower federal courts to revisit pro-transgender rulings after siding with Tennessee in a 6-3 decision upholding the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
In its June 30 ruling, the Court found the law did not discriminate based on sex or transgender status -- and while it did not address other laws affecting transgender Americans, it opened the door for states to impose even broader restrictions on transgender rights and legal protections.
As reported by CNN, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett wrote in concurring opinions that courts should not be required to closely scrutinize laws alleged to discriminate against transgender people.
Vice President JD Vance has become the most-blocked user on Bluesky, just days after joining the social media platform and attempting to provoke its largely left-leaning user base.
According to ClearSky, a data tracker monitoring Bluesky activity, Vance has been blocked by more than 143,000 users -- the highest total since the app publicly launched in February 2024.
The number of users blocking the vice president’s account easily surpassed the previous record-holder, journalist Jesse Singal -- best known for his disparaging reports on gender-affirming care for trans youth -- who currently sits at 81,531 blocks.
"I could not be more thrilled to bring the show back!"
Patrik-Ian Polk is primed and ready for the return of Noah's Arc, the iconic Logo series he created, wrote, and directed, and which aired for two impactful seasons from October 2005 to October 2006.
The first gay Black TV series, following fabulously femme screenwriter Noah, his best friends Alex, Ricky, and Chance, and his new man Wade, the show fit a world of hot topics -- HIV/AIDS, sexual fluidity, infidelity, homophobia -- into its too-brief run.
Fans might have been left hanging by the series' unexpected cancellation, but Polk and crew reunited in 2008 to tie up some loose ends in a film, the wedding comedy Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.