Drag queen accuses anti-LGBTQ+ documentary of ‘tricking’ her into taking part
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Last week, a controversial new right-wing, gender-critical, anti-LGBTQ+ film called “The War on Children” was launched with a trailer that gained over 30 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter, after being promoted by Elon Musk. The film, created by married right-wing activist couple Robby and Landon Starbuck, has sparked outrage within the LGBTQ+ community due to its central focus on criticizing the transgender and drag communities.
According to Robby Starbuck’s tweet, the film aims to expose what he believes is a “war on our children” led by far-left activists who seek to indoctrinate, sexualize, guilt, and punish them until they submit to their “woke religion.” However, one Nashville drag queen, Veronika Electronika, who works with the children’s reading program Drag Queen Story Hour Tennessee, claims that she was deceived into participating in the documentary.
Electronika alleges that she was initially approached by the film’s production team to do an interview about the impact of bans and restrictions on drag performances and gender-affirming care on the lives and mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals. She says that she had no idea the documentary would have an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. When she realized the true nature of the film during filming, she immediately requested them to stop recording. Despite her pleas, they continued filming.
Recordings provided by Electronika seem to indicate that her interview was heavily edited to make it appear as though she condoned exposing children to sexual material, when in fact she expressed concern for their safety. This deceptive editing raises questions about the filmmakers’ intentions and the accuracy of the final product.
It is worth noting that Electronika was not the only LGBTQ+ individual who felt deceived by the Starbucks. California-based drag queen Lil Miss Hot Mess also withdrew from the documentary after initially agreeing to participate. Lil Miss Hot Mess claims that the production team went to great lengths to hide their true identities and intentions, and only later did it become clear that the Starbucks were behind the documentary. She also alleges that the couple became disrespectful when she decided not to engage with them further.
In a voicemail obtained by Rolling Stone, Robby Starbuck can be heard questioning why grown men dressing up as women and performing sexual dances for children is acceptable, as well as why exposing genitalia to children would be considered okay. These statements further highlight the filmmakers’ biased perspective and their intention to portray the LGBTQ+ community in a negative light.
It is concerning that the Starbucks reportedly deceived LGBTQ+ individuals into participating in their documentary, misrepresenting its true purpose. Drag Queen Story Hour events have already faced protests and threats, and this film only adds fuel to the fire. LGBTQ+ activist Eli Erlick warned others about the documentary, describing it as a “deceptively cut anti-trans film” and exposing its connection to far-right director Robby Starbuck.
When approached for comment, Robby Starbuck dismissed any allegations of deceptive practices, accusing left-wing media outlets like Rolling Stone of focusing on subjects’ discontent rather than addressing the issues exposed in the film. However, the evidence provided by Electronika and Lil Miss Hot Mess suggests otherwise.
The LGBTQ+ community deserves transparency and respect, especially when it comes to representing their experiences and struggles. Deceptive practices like those alleged in this documentary undermine the trust between filmmakers and participants, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misinformation.
As this controversy unfolds, it is crucial to scrutinize the intentions and methods of filmmakers who claim to shed light on social issues. The LGBTQ+ community should not be exploited for political agendas or subjected to misrepresentation. True understanding and progress can only come from open dialogue and genuine empathy.
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