Hawaii Democrat Celebrates Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race on House Floor
A Democratic member of Congress spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week to celebrate the winner of the RuPaul’s Drag Race television competition.
Hawaii Representative Jill Tokuda on Wednesday congratulated drag performer “Sasha Colby” of Hawaii for winning the reality TV competition, telling her House colleagues that Colby’s win “gives us all hope.”
“I rise today to congratulate Hawaii-born Sasha Kekauoha, more famously known as ‘Sasha Colby,’ on being crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15,” Tokuda said on the House floor, noting that she and Colby hail from the same region of the state.
Colby won the competition on April 14.
Tokuda’s comments, which lasted less than two minutes, were delivered as cultural battles over drag performances flare across the country. Republican lawmakers in several states, including Florida and Texas, have recently attempted to ban drag performances targeted at minors.
Tokuda does not seem to have received pushback for celebrating a drag performer in the House.
I spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate @sashacolby, for her historic win on @RuPaulsDragRace. In a country where trans people and drag queens are increasingly being targeted, Sasha's win is not only well-deserved; it gives us hope. pic.twitter.com/wzh2bIbFTK
— U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (@RepJillTokuda) April 26, 2023
“From the very beginning of the competition, Sasha — a seasoned drag legend — drew upon her ethnic heritage and childhood trauma as sources of inspiration for her performances,” Tokuda said. “Throughout Drag Race, she authentically represented her Hawaiian culture, talking about the legacy she’s building for our home state, and about being Māhū.”
The “childhood trauma” Tokuda mentioned is likely a reference to Colby’s experience growing up with a mother who had a bipolar disorder, which led Colby’s father to commit suicide, the performer has said.
In a recent Vogue profile, Colby spoke about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness.
“Sitting in those church meetings gave me a good moral compass; I took the things I needed from it,” Colby said.
Colby also expressed opposition to recent legislation against drag and transgender transitions.
“I realize that I was supposed to do season 15, this season, because of all of this sh*t with legislation,” Colby said. “I am a trans woman and a drag queen. I am the embodiment of what they want to eradicate.”
“Amidst ongoing attacks on our LGBTQ+ rights that particularly target trans people and drag queens, her win is not only well deserved, it gives us all hope,” Tokuda concluded on the House floor. “Congratulations to Sasha Colby.”
When crowned the winner, Colby wore a nearly-nude bikini-style outfit. Colby told Entertainment Weekly that the outfit was designed to make a point.
“It was a specific choice to be naked in these times,” Colby said. “I wanted them to see what they’re trying to eradicate. Because they’re probably eradicating it because they’re attracted to it.”
