Just like many on this site I am a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race. I enjoy the drama, the memes, the catchprases etc.

But we all have to keep in mind that the show is heavily edited! The producers have a clear storyline for each season. In fact, the confessionals and even many workroom conversations are prompted by the producers of the show. Does it mean that the show is all fake and shouldn’t be enjoyed? Of course not, but it is important to recognise it for what it is: a fun entertaining show about drag queens. What we see is not the definitive truth. Oftentimes phrases and actions are taken out of context. We get people, who by themselves are rarely either 100% good or 100% bad but rather complex, condensed into easily digestive cliche roles.

Again: We all have to keep in mind that what we get to see at the end of the day is not actually 100% real and we cannot know what exactly happened. We cannot get to know a person watching their heavily edited behaviour on TV for 45 minutes. What we get to know is merely a character at least co-constructed by the production.

No sane person would send hate to an actor for portraying a villain. Same should apply to every RPDR-fan’s treatment of drag queens. Imagine how you’d come off to complete strangers if somebody followed you around with a camera all week and then edited the footage to only showcase your worst moments.

You don’t have to love and be a fan of every single contestant on the show. Just don’t send them hate. Or as the lovely and talented Jaymes Mansfield put it - be kind.