Drag Race alum Aja is latest queen to launch seething attack against RuPaul for ‘erasing’ trans people
Drag Race alum Aja lit into RuPaul for “denying” trans women the chance to compete on the show. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Drag Race star Aja launched a seething attack against RuPaul, arguing that the host is “erasing” trans queens.
Taking to Twitter on January 26, the 9th season alum described how denying trans people on the show is “wrong and we all know it”.
As the new roster for the 12th season started their engines, fellow queen Detox accused RuPaul of “feigning inclusivity” while trans queen Carmen Carrera dubbed Ru the “Hitler of the LGBTQ community”.
Non-binary queen Aja attacks RuPaul for ‘denying’ trans people.
“Denying trans women the ‘highest’ platform of drag (which was pioneered by them) is wrong and we all know it,” they said in a series of scathing tweets.
“Remember not all work spaces are trans-friendly, and drag is the main income of many trans people. Denying trans woman of making their coins, showing their art in the name of capitalism and Emmys.
“Most of the queens on RPDR come from the legacy and inspiration of trans drag performers. That shouldn’t be erased.
“It should be celebrated.”
Denying trans women the “highest” platform of drag (which was pioneered by them) is wrong and we all know it. Remember not all work spaces are trans-friendly, and drag is the main income of many trans ppl. Denying trans woman of making their coins, showing their art –
— Aja 〽️iyake-〽️ugler Sanchez (@ajaoxum) January 26, 2020
Don’t say you support drag if you think only male dressed as female drag is valid. 😔— Aja 〽️iyake-〽️ugler Sanchez (@ajaoxum) January 26, 2020
They continued: “Drag has never just been a ‘guy dressed as a girl’. It’s always been so much more.
“Don’t say you support drag if you think only male dressed as female drag is valid.”
The non-binary queen was a fan-favourite on the show. After their stint, they distanced themselves from the scene to work on their career as a musician.
RuPaul’s turbulent relationship with the trans community.
As criticism of the show continues to grow, each season’s contestants present a fresh test for RuPaul, who previously said he would “probably not” allow a trans woman to compete.
RuPaul attempted to tamp down frustration and anger over his remarks by clarifying that they were “taken out of context”.
“We share a history. The two worlds [of drag and trans people] intersect, but also maintain their own unique qualities,” he told The Sunday Times in 2019.
RuPaul Charles at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at Olympia London on January 18, 2020 in London, England. (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for World Of Wonder Productions)
Of the few trans queens to compete on the show, only Monica Beverly Hills, Peppermint and Gia Gunn (during her All Stars 4 run) have competed openly as trans women.
Sonique, Stacey Layne Matthews, Jiggly Caliente and Kenya Michaels all came out as trans following their times on Drag Race.
There are also a number of queens who have identified as non-binary or gender-queer post Drag Race, including Courtney Act, Sasha Velour and Jinx Monsoon.
