“Drag brings joy, but it’s under threat. Our very existence, our ability to express ourselves, our art — everything is in danger. And we’ve had enough.”
That’s how Qommittee, a collective of drag performers coming together to support and promote their art form, introduced itself ahead of LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June.
“We’ve always had to fight hard for our place in society,” the group stated in a press release on Wednesday. “Now, we’re facing a surge of hate — including doxxing, harassment, death threats, armed protests, bombings, and even shootings.”
Qommittee comprises about 10 drag performers from across the country who have directly or indirectly encountered threats, harassment, or violence due to their involvement in drag.
Jo Mama (Via Danny Marsh/Shutterstock)
One member experienced a venue firebombing in Ohio, another was at Club Q in Colorado Springs during a shooting that killed five people, and another worked at both Club Q and Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting.
Among its goals, Qommittee aims to connect drag performers and communities that lack local support with resources such as legal assistance and therapy. The group also plans to assist performers and venues with business operations.
Organizers have already begun fostering conversations between Qommittee members and local law enforcement agencies.
“The Qommittee serves as a central hub for performance communities across the country, offering resources to negotiate with venues and defend against protests targeting drag shows,” said B Williams, Qommittee’s President, who performs as Blaq Dinamyte in Washington, D.C.
