RuPaul’s Drag Race star was detained in Russia for wearing women’s clothes
A RuPaul’s Drag Race star was detained in a Russian airport while presenting as female.
Peppermint is competing in Season 9 of the drag reality series, but unlike many of the other contestants identifies as transgender.
The performer, also known as Agnes Moore, opened up on the show about a shocking incident in a Russian airport.
Speaking on the latest episode she recalled: “I was presenting female and my ID does not match. I was in Moscow airport for a connection, for 30 minutes… we land and go to the transfer desk.
“The woman didn’t speak any English, and she just kept looking at her ID and looking at me. It was clear she was disagreeing with the fact that my ID looked male and I looked female.
“She detained me. I was terrified, to the point that I had to snatch my own wig off my head, in the line with all those people, just to prove to her that I’m [who I say I am]. ‘This is me, please let me in.’
“It was so humiliating… I just have to keep in mind that it doesn’t take away my womanhood.”
Drag artist Sasha Velour, who previously lived in Russia, added: “There’s a lot of gender fear in Russia.
“When I was living in Russia I had to disguise myself. I couldn’t be Sasha Velour.
“I had to think carefully about what clothes I was wearing, how I moved my body. Queer people in Russia are living in an oppressive system.”
Russia enforces a 2014 ‘gay propaganda’ law, which outlaws “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” among minors.
The law also bans people sharing “distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships”.
Authorities across Russia have exploited the powers to censor LGBT content online in the past, as well as in the media.
Elsewhere today, a Russian Ambassador has claimed there is no discrimination against LGBT people in his country.
The Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Maxim Peskhov, made the claims in a meeting with several gay members of the Irish Parliament.
Senator Jerry Buttimer, an openly gay member of the Seanad Éireann, recalled: “It was no surprise to us that we were hit with a metaphoric brick wall when we raised the issue.
“It seems the Ambassador continued with the example set by other representatives in stating, ‘there is no discrimination of gay people in Russia’.
“One could not but be disheartened at his lack of understanding or appreciation, or perhaps he was playing the old Russian traditionalist in just obfuscating and denying, but none the less it was incredible to watch his performance.”
A number of stars from season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race were attacked in Los Angeles.
RuPaul’s Drag Race renewed for a tenth season
