Watch ‘Drag Race: All Stars’ Top 4 React to Win, Making LGBTQ+ History

Author: Neal Broverman

After over a decade on air, RuPaul’s Drag Race has finally crowned an out transgender winner in America.

The Emmy-winning reality show awarded Kylie Sonique Love with the coveted crown during Thursday night’s season 6 finale for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. While all four final queens are taped “winning” the competition to keep the secret until the finale airs, the finalists all watch the actual announcement live. Eureka, Ginger Minj, and Ra’Jah O’Hara sat with Love as they joked and laughed (a little nervously) before the news broke. 

“It’s real!” Eureka shouted to Love, who was in disbelief over her victory.

Love, 38, is a Georgia native. She competed in the second season of Drag Race, way back in 2010. During the reunion special for that season, Love announced that she’s a trans woman.

Back in Drag Race‘s early days, regular accusations of transphobia were lobbed at the show, mostly because of its use of several transphobic terms that were later phased out. As the seasons progressed, the series began allowing out transgender contestants, with Peppermint, a trans woman, competing on Season 9 and Gottmik, a trans man, competing on Season 13. For All Stars, Gia Gunn notably competed on season 4, and Jiggly Caliente competed alongside Love. But Love is the first out trans person to nab the crown for a series hosted by RuPaul.

“Live life in your truth and love always wins,” Love stated during the taped version of her victory.

Love follows the 2019 win of Andele Anang. A contestant on Drag Race Thailand, Anang won season 2 of that franchise and made history for the overall Drag Race brand. 

There were also the crownings of Bob the Drag Queen and Jinkx Monsoon, who identify as nonbinary and trans feminine respectively. They got their scepters in 2016 and 2014, respectively, but their gender identity wasn’t known at the time of their wins.

Drag Race has even opened its doors to cisgender women recently, with Victoria Scone competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K. Season 3.

Watch the All Stars 6 girls witness Love’s crowning below:

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Neal Broverman