HIDDEN MEANINGS

Like some queens I have a love hate relationship with RuPaul. While I do enjoy Drag Race, I have never completely agreed with the whole concept of the show to a point, as it gives a very cookie cutter version of the lifestyle of drag, and sort of distorts the drag scene to some point. Off the show, queens do not jump through these challenges, and by no means have big budgets for over-the-top wardrobes in their little clubs around the country, and often times piece together ensembles. But I do love that it's been a success, and that it helped bring drag to the fore front and give some queens a much-needed push. I also just read Ru's newest book Hidden Messages, and central to RuPaul's success has been his chameleonic adaptability, and for me his early lead for bringing drag to the forefront. The new book covers the drag icon to a powerhouse queen to powerhouse producer of one of the world's largest tv franchises. RuPaul's ever-shifting nature has always been part of his brand as both supermodel and super mogul. Yet that adaptability has made him enigmatic to the public. It also covers some early life with his father and temperamental mother, forging an identify in the punk and drag scenes, and finding love with his hubby Georges, and sobriety. Those parts I enjoyed. But I recommend his earlier autobiography instead of this memoir, before he became the totalitarian ruler. Like many who rise to such wealth and power, that power and wealth it hangs above our head at time in the book. I think we all know his wealth. There is also talk of a bunker being built out of fear of civil unrest and environmental concerns. First off building a bunker comes to me as why run??? And why hold it over the heads of people who will never afford to build a bunker? I can agree there is civil unrest and there might be scary times ahead, but why run and not fight??? And spare me darling on the environmental front. Darling...the last I looked fracking is one of the worst things for the environment, not to mention can also send waves to possibly trigger earthquakes. There to me has been talking out both sides of his mouth.

And then it was announced Ru launched a book company called Allstora. The promo makes one think that this is a company squarely on the left fighting book bans, and fighting for the queer community, etc. The site has changed a few things already when I last was there. One my first stops I saw you can buy Hitler's Mein Kampf, a children's book by the extremely transphobic Libs of Tik Tok founder, Chaya Raychok, several books by GOP stalwarts Mike Huckabee Sanders and Sarah Saunders, and even one Christian book "You Were not Born This Way: It's Time to Break Free." I'm sorry... these are not my people. They even had books that are so objectionable that the company added notes to these sections, saying they flagged them, and the book is contrary to their core values. All proceeds from this title will go towards protecting diverse literature and marginalized communities from books bans through the Rainbow Book Bus. That's good I guess. But the stock was bought, and these asshole authors got paid for their books. Why did you need the help of the community to do the right things Allstora? Why not just stop selling what many on the left consider to be hate speech? I know it really helps the queer community when you can buy rightwing books on the site and pay a drag queen a monthly salary for the privilege. And this is yet another lesson in Rainbow Capitalism, and not shut down by one of us. Ru could've just said she wants to sell book and here are my favorites. 

I do enjoy RuPaul...but I feel as though she shakes your hand, while slapping you with the other. And just how long is Drag Race going? Yet again...it's a top three show, the rest is all filler. But we also know I tire of shows that run to long.