We’re here, we’re queer: Is that still weird to you? HBO’s hit series ‘We’re Here’ returned last Friday on Max with another season following four queens who go to small towns to empower queer people through the power of drag.
Sasha Velour, Priyanka, Latrice Royale, and Jaida Essence Hall absolutely shine in the slightly retooled series. This season, instead of going to several cities over the course of a few months, our queens stay in two cities for the duration of filming.
What results is a deeper connection to both the folks they’re trying to encourage and the area at large, which may or may not have ever seen a drag queen in person.
HBO screened an edited down version of an episode at a swanky event last week at Avalon, Hollywood’s hottest nightclub. The stars of the series looked radiant and almost superhuman, their drag armor fierce as ever.
“I can’t believe that just by working hard and having some nerve, success can happen for us,” said Priyanka, the first-ever winner of Canada’s Drag Race.
David Jon Photography
Getty/Jeffrey Mayer
This show is a watershed moment in drag history. HBO is obviously a prestige network, but also we’re living in scary times with regards to anti-LGBTQ legislation. Having this much visibility on a high profile platform is massive and absolutely moves the needle toward freedom for queer people around the world.
Then we partied. For a show with such heavy themes The crowd sure knew how to get down. We danced to funk, house and pop all night and never wanted it to end. The group photos and hors d’oeuvres flowed and flowed, and someone started sucking on a queen’s stocking feet in the middle of the dance floor.
We’re here, indeed!