WEST HOLLYWOOD: Hundreds of people took to the streets of West Hollywood to show support and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community as several anti-trans and anti-drag bills have been popping up across the country.
Drag March LA brought together members of dozens of nonprofit organizations and faith groups, many of which voiced their opposition to proposed laws targeting rights.
“I’m a drag queen. We’re fighting for our rights here. It’s not also just about drag queens, it’s about trans rights, it’s about queer rights, and if you’re going to try to ban my existence, that’s a big deal.”
Participants started with a rally at West Hollywood Park and made their way down Santa Monica Boulevard.
Organizers said since the start of the year, around 400 pieces of legislation have been introduced or passed across the U.S.
Tennessee earlier this month saw the passage of two of the most sweeping and restrictive anti-trans and anti-drag laws in the country.
On March 2, Republican Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee signed a bill into law that restricts public drag show performances, making his state the first to do so this year. The law is set to limit “adult cabaret performances” on public property so as to shield them from the view of children.
The same day, Lee signed senate Bill 0001 in law, prohibiting gender-affirming care for trans minors, adding Tennessee to the list of Republican-led states to pass this type of legislation.
“An attack across this country on drag symbolizes another attack against all of us,” said West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne.
During the rally, speakers, including city and county leaders, told the crowd they have fought many times to the protect rights of people in their community and vowed to never stop.
“We need to make sure we are protecting every single human being at risk from all of this hatred and bigotry,” said L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. “We will not stand silent. We will not stand idly by.”
