Breaking ground: An interview with Precious Jewel on RuPaul's Drag Race
http://www.wbez.org/blogs/nico-lang/2013-02/breaking-ground-interview-precious-jewel-rupauls-drag-race-1056582/22/13
By: Nico Lang
A few weeks ago, RuPaul's Drag Race made show history when its first contestant came out as transgender while appearing on RPDR: the fierce Monica Beverly Hillz. For a show that's often ignored, side-stepped or marginalized trans* issues, this was a major about face. When Willam left the show in Season 4, rumors spread it that was because Willam had started transitioning and "broke the rules." Willam later explained that the reason for the dismissal was that the divisive contestant had been receiving conjugal visits from their boyfriend. Contestants aren't allowed to have contact with the outside world, and this violated that clause in the Drag Race contract.
However, many felt the explanation was unsatisfactory. There was more going on here. That mistrust shows not only the lingering skepticism toward the show's trans inclusion but the divides between the trans* and drag communities. I mention it below, but Monica Roberts of Trans Griot recently took the show to task for its problematic relationship with transgender folks. Monica Beverly Hillz's coming out helps move that conversation in a more positive direction. It's an important first step.
