A national advocacy network of drag artists and allies, Qommittee, has published the Drag Defense Handbook to assist artists in safeguarding against violence and harassment. This handbook, developed by survivors of high-profile hate crimes, offers practical resources for navigating threats, including bomb threats. Veranda L'Ni emphasizes the importance of fighting for one's existence and protecting First Amendment rights. The handbook is not limited to drag performers, as it extends its guidance to anyone facing oppression in public spaces, promoting safety and resilience against discrimination.
More so than ever, we are fighting for our existence. Across the country, we're being told that we shouldn't be here, legislatively and physically. We are not going to back down. We have always been an entity within society. But what Qommittee has done has allowed us to take proper steps to protect ourselves, to understand our First Amendment rights, to understand that we have the ability to go into public spaces and know exactly what to do.
It applies to more than just drag performers. This can apply to anybody who is feeling oppressed or being told that they're they shouldn't be in these spaces.
Collection
[
|
...
]