Club Q Shooting Has Forced Top Drag Queens To Beef Up Security In Response
Image: The two RuPaul's Drag Race winners have spoken out about their increased security as a result of the Club Q shooting. Photos: Jinx Monsoon/ Alaska 5000/Facebook
Since the deadly shooting at an LGBTQ club in the USA state of Colorado last month, eight of the USA’s premier drag queens have spoken out about how the massacre has affected them—with four beefing up their security in response.
Back on 19th November this year, Colorado Spring’s only LGBTQ nightclub Club Q became the scene of a horrible shooting that left 5 people dead and 17 others injured. The 22-year-old suspect is currently being held without bond on the charges of hate crimes and suspicion of murder.
While this isn’t the first time an LGBTQ venue has been the site of a shooting, the terrifying rise of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and threats thrown at drag events and even anti-drag legislation has been enough for some drag queens to increase their security.
Top Drag Queens Increase Security
Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season five and the seventh season of the All-Star edition, Jinx Monsoon has admitted to using metal detectors, created venue escape routes, and hired armed guards over the past several months as a result.
“We’re trying to smile and make people happy for the holidays, and in the back of our heads, we’re thinking, ‘I hope I don’t get shot,’” Monsoon said, as reported by NBC News.
Another RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars winner, Alaska Thunder—5000 revealed that in response to the devastating Club Q shooting, she sat down with her staff and planned out venue escape routes for the rest of her nationwide tour.
“It’s mortifying that we even have to think about these things for something as joyous and celebratory as a drag show,” Alaska said, as reported by NBC News.
“Why do we have to be worried about where the exits are and where a safe route to get to safety is? It’s terrifying, but that’s the reality of it.”
