#DragIsNotACrime has been trending on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms after Pura Luka Vega, a drag artist from the Philippines who goes by they/them pronouns, was arrested under obscenity laws on October 4. After their release on bail on October 7, fellow drag artists held a fundraising activity on October 8 at Brooklyn Warehouse Manila in Manila City to support the 33-year-old Filipino artist. So, what this issue is about?
#DragIsNotACrime Trend
#DragIsNotACrime is currently trending after the friends and supporters of Luka, real name Amadeus Fernando Pagente, held a fundraising event to show their support for the drag queen. They were arrested following their absence from the preliminary investigations of their criminal case.
The issue all started after Luka’s controversial performance of “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer) remix at a local bar went viral and eventually drew flak online in July. With the severity of the controversy, several cities in the Philippines had declared them “persona non grata,” while religious groups started filing lawsuits.
SHE IS RISEN. @puralukavega #AcquitPuraLukaVega #DragIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/i9Q978BONq
— JEJOMAR BINI 🇵🇸 (@Watdahel_MarceI) October 8, 2023
From there, the #DragIsNotACrime trend began, along with the #FreePuraLukaVega campaign. But aside from being a sign of support, this trend has a much deeper meaning for the LGBTQIA+ people and the community itself.
#DragIsNotACrime Explained
Luka’s case isn’t the first time the #DragIsNotACrime phrase has been used. Another Filipino drag queen, AuraMayari, used this statement on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 finale runway in April and even long before that.
Drag is an art that is performed by artists who are called drag queens, drag kings, or drag performers while wearing colorful, feminine costumes and heavy makeup. The shows often feature lip-syncing, live singing, dancing, or doing these things as a form of self-expression or a mainstream performance. This performance is usually held at pride parades, pageants, and nightclubs. Hence, there’s no hint of crime about it at all.
It's been filed last August 17…?https://t.co/IK7QpSt5VO
— Sammyyiiieee (@AnakDalita1942) October 5, 2023
However, despite being a piece of entertainment and a form of self-expression for some, it’s being put in a different light due to the complaints about the sexualization and grooming of children. In Luka’s case, it’s seen as a violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. This refers to the “propagation of immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows,” which considers the spread of it a criminal act.
For Luka, what they did was freedom of expression, believing the case filed against them was “an education on hate. “This is hate,” they said in their posts on Instagram.
“We are facing these charges in the hopes of upholding the freedom of expression for ALL,” they continued. “The law should not be used to persecute minorities for our unique cultural practices.”
#DragIsNotACrime – Opinion
As they say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and so is the drag queens. Drag is a form of art often said to be a liberation for many people, but it has painted Luka in a bad light due to her performance. Sure, some are offended, dividing the opinion of fans and critics alike, believing Luka has crossed the line due to their beliefs. However, seeing it as a criminal act, not to mention being arrested, is probably too much.
#dragisnotacrime#acquitpuralukavega pic.twitter.com/BrD2eHFGOi
— DeeDee Marié Holliday #DragIsNotACrime (@DeeDeeMarieH) October 8, 2023
Luka explained that it was an expression of them feeling excluded in a “deeply Catholic country” as a queer person, yet many used it against them. In a nation where several other crimes are prevalent, it’s a question to many why a case like this is quickly acted upon.
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