A notorious Singaporean MP quizzed the communications and information ministry on Tuesday (15 January) on whether Singapore was ready for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
RuPaul‘s Werq the World live show tour, hosted by judge Michelle Visage, will visit Singapore early next month.
MP Lee Bee Wah asked in parliament what objections the ministry had received to the show.
She also quizzed the ministry on approval of ‘performances dealing with LGBT issues’ and if there would be an age restriction.
The ministry later confirmed the performance would be rated for over 18s only.
Lee previously made headlines for refusing to answer her constituents’ questions on Singapore’s anti-gay law, Section 377A.
‘I have other residents with real problems’ she said. Edward Foo, of the Ready4Repeal movement to decriminalize gay sex, tried to pass her a petition from constituents requesting repeal.
Singapore is a socially conservative city-state. Last year, a survey revealed more than half of Singaporeans support Section 377A, which criminalizes gay sex with up to two years in prison.
Last year, one man launched a high court challenge claiming 377A is constitutional. Meanwhile, Christian and Muslim religious leaders urged followers to support it.
Thailand became the first country outside the US to host its own version of RuPaul’s iconic drag race early last year.
Rated 18
Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran responded on Tuesday.
He said any performance dealing with ‘mature themes’, such as LGBTI content, would be rated for over 18s only, according to Yahoo News.
But, he noted, previous shows had ’not attracted much feedback’. RuPaul queens including Sasha Velour, Shangela, and Bianca Del Rio have previously performed in the city-state.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race is a variety show and similar shows have been staged previously in Singapore. Past shows have generally been classified R18 in view of the mature content and have not attracted much feedback,’ he said.
Sashay away
Singapore’s netizens were quick to tell the anti-gay parliamentarian to sashay away.
hi @LeeBeeWah pic.twitter.com/oCzOUUQRRa
— ariana venti (@edshaheeran) January 15, 2019
Is @LeeBeeWah serious…? Questions like these are why we need to repeal old archaic laws that no longer have any use other than as a cudgel on affected communities. Screengrab from – https://t.co/wuNnSZOmC9 #Repeal377A #ReadyforRepeal pic.twitter.com/MstLVOVAbG
— Ben Thambiah 🏳️🌈🇸🇬 (@benedictjt) January 15, 2019
OMG LEE BEE WAH STOP EMBARRASSING US https://t.co/EjUDZ5G4gX
— Kirsten Han 韩俐颖 (@kixes) January 15, 2019
Lee Bee Wah’s just jealous cause all the queens look so fish and she looks like a grouper. https://t.co/eXmXYbCnFV
— Sam See (@MrSamSee) January 15, 2019
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