Drag Space Project Champions Safe Spaces
MANILA, Philippines — Pride Month may have ended, but the urgent need to protect safe spaces, particularly for the country’s drag community, continues to grow. On July 8, 2025, The Playhouse made a landmark move by launching the Drag Space Project, a groundbreaking collaboration with the Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC), Kababaihan Organization, and Rainbow Rights.
This initiative aims to strengthen safe spaces for drag artists through education and advocacy. The launch featured a focused seminar on anti-sexual harassment and the Safe Spaces Act, tailored specifically for the drag community and led by DOJAC experts.
Seminar Held at Quezon City’s Rampa Drag Club
The event took place at Rampa Drag Club in Quezon City, a well-known sanctuary for creative freedom and empowerment within the drag scene. This gathering comes amid unsettling reports of sexual misconduct involving prominent drag personalities, which have deeply affected the community.
Eva Le Queen, a celebrity drag artist and President of The Playhouse who founded the Drag Space Project, emphasized the community’s responsibility to confront these issues. “Yes, abuse and harassment happen—but I want to give our industry a chance. We are not complicit in that kind of behavior. We are drag artists—we bring joy, magic, and happiness to people,” she said. “But if we turn a blind eye to what is happening in front of us, what does that make us? We do not want to enable that kind of behavior. Education is always the key. We don’t have enough of it right now. Gender sensitivity is part of our industry, and this needed to be done.”
DOJ and Allies Commit to Drag Community Safety
DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, voiced her unwavering support for the initiative. “You can count on the Department of Justice—not just to listen, but to act,” she declared. “Through this DOJAC lecture series, we hope to empower you with knowledge. Our goal is simple but powerful: to build a drag space that is safe, respectful, and just for all. A space where we know our boundaries—on and off stage. A space where we feel brave enough to speak up when something’s not right. A space where accountability matters. These are the safe spaces we all deserve. Because when we make the drag space safe, we also uplift the entire LGBTQIA+ community.”
DOJAC Program Director and Assistant State Prosecutor Joan Carla Guevarra led the seminar, breaking down the legal foundations of safe spaces. She explained the differences between the Safe Spaces Act and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, and clarified what behaviors might violate laws addressing Acts of Lasciviousness. Guevarra’s clear and relatable examples helped make the seminar accessible and practical for drag performers.
Community Partners Drive Gender Sensitivity
The Kababaihan Organization co-hosted the seminar, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and justice within the drag community. Rainbow Rights Advocacy Officer Pura Luka Vega highlighted the seminar’s significance: “This isn’t just about safeguarding queer people, but also the patrons who support and enjoy the art of drag.” They added, “Rainbow Rights will discuss the nuances of the law and how it can be implemented through a human rights lens. Sometimes, we all need to be reminded of the value of a human rights approach in everything we do.”
Vision for a Safer, Empowered Drag Industry
The Drag Space Project is designed as the social responsibility arm of the drag scene. Eva Le Queen shared, “Hindi lang tayo magtatapos sa pag-address ng sexual assault. We can use this platform to mobilize movements—possibly for other causes. Anything we can do to help.” She stressed the power of the drag community’s influence: “Ang laki ng clout, ang laki ng influence at following ng drag. We can channel that influence to make the space better—not just for us, but for everyone who celebrates and enjoys drag.”
The seminar attracted a diverse group from the drag world, including performers, promoters, club owners, assistants, dancers, patrons, and other key players who keep the art of drag vibrant and alive.
For more news and updates on safe spaces, visit Filipinokami.com.
