These Queens Know That Animal Abuse Is a Total ‘Drag’

Drag performers have always been a powerful subversive force, pushing the fight for equality “out of the closet” and into public consciousness. Whether they’re known for their stunning looks, sickening dance moves, devastating shade, or out-of-this-world comedic stylings, many fierce queens have also used their platform (heels) to advocate for animals in need. Did you know that RuPaul once appeared on the cover of PETA’s Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide?

“Mama used to say, ‘It’s got to be fat-free, duty-free, and cruelty-free.’”

—RuPaul

Drag queens were active with PETA long before RuPaul’s Drag Race hit the airwaves—and even before the art of drag had broken out of queer spaces and entered the mainstream. Legendary queens such as Lypsinka and Flotilla DeBarge have appeared in our ads, and Boy George, Elvira, Leigh Bowery, and other LGBTQIA icons and allies joined PETA in clubs around the world for “Fur Is a Drag” parody runway shows, in which models in drag wore trashed fur coats covered with blood-red paint.

Got a CONSTANT CRAVING for this 1993 photo of K.D. Lang with “Pat” from Saturday Night Live?

Ready for a brief herstory lesson about the intersection of animal rights and the art of drag? Then check out these drag queens who’ve COME THROUGH for animals:

Alaska Thunderf*ck and Heidi N Closet

Legendary drag queens Alaska Thunderf*ck and Heidi N Closet teamed up with PETA for a striking ad campaign that celebrates beauty by advocating for cruelty-free cosmetics. The dynamic duo sent a powerful message: Beauty should be cruelty-free, fabulous, and a force for positive change.

Kim Chi

Known for her popular cosmetics products, extraordinary creativity, phenomenal makeup skills, and standout performance on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Kim Chi pushes the boundaries of traditional beauty standards and inspires everyone to embrace their true self. This drag superstar has also teamed up with PETA, starring in a beautiful ad campaign that encourages people to unleash their inner fierceness without compromising their ethics, one fluttery lash at a time.

Victoria Scone

Victoria Scone, the first cisgender female drag queen to compete in a RuPaul’s Drag Race series—appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. the World—surrounded herself with frisky felines in a PETA video to remind cat guardians of the importance of spaying or neutering their kitty companions.

Lady Bunny

Colonel Sanders met his heavily accessorized, bouffant-wearing match in Lady Bunny when the legend herself joined PETA to take on KFC’s cruelty to birds.

Sharon Needles

On your way to Party City, where you belong? Be sure to stop along the way to check out this #Throwback PETA campaign starring Sharon Needles.

Flesh is for zombies. Go vegan today!

Art Simone

The “Queen of Australia” and former RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under contestant Art Simone appeared in a public service announcement for PETA Australia urging cat guardians to keep their feline friends indoors.

Courtney Act

The “Drag Diva From Down Under,” Courtney Act, is an outspoken vegan. She was previously named one of the Sexiest Vegan Celebrities by PETA Australia.

Be sure to watch some of her animal-free cooking videos on YouTube.

Carmen Carrera

Model and actor Carmen Carrera once bared all to draw attention to the suffering endured by animals who are caged and killed for their fur. This trans rights trailblazer encouraged her followers to “transform their wardrobes” by going fur-free.

Scaredy Kat

Wearing a faux-fur coat made of “dead” stuffed animals, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestant Scaredy Kat teamed up with PETA to urge fans to “sashay away” from leather, feathers, and fur.

Scaredy Kat is outspoken about animal rights, taking part in climate change demonstrations to urge people to go vegan, participating in the Animal Rights March in London, and using her large social media platform to speak up for animals. This queen knows how to give animals the royal treatment!

Honey LaBronx

PETA Sexiest Vegan Next Door finalist Honey LaBronx went vegan just one month after she started doing drag eight years ago—a move that shocked her Wisconsin dairy-farming family. Her touring shows have raised funds for animal organizations across the country, she hosted the Big Fat Vegan Radio podcast and The Vegan Drag Queen cooking show on YouTube, and she’s promoted vegan eating at NYC Pride and RuPaul’s DragCon.

“I love bringing my animal rights message to places where people aren’t necessarily expecting it. The novelty of watching a drag queen lead a cooking demo can spark a great conversation that otherwise might never happen.”

—Honey LaBronx

Ready to make a stunning transformation of your own? Leave them all gooped and gagged when you go vegan today. We’ve even got some handy tools of the trade to help make it easier than ever:

If you’re feeling inspired to try a drag look of your own, check out our guide to animal test-free theatrical makeup.