Drag Race Stories That Inspired Us
19 Jun 2026
Since RuPaul’s Drag Race premiered in 2009, fans have watched hundreds of queens enter the Werk Room to showcase their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. We love tuning in each week for the gagworthy runway looks, the iconic lipsyncs, and the Untucked drama.
But while Drag Race is known for creating big moments—think Sasha Velour’s rose petal RuVeal on Season 9 or BenDeLaCreme’s shock self-elimination on All Stars 3—perhaps its greatest legacy is creating a space for queens to share stories about topics common to the LGBTIQ+ community, such as living with HIV, gender identity and alcohol and other drug use.
As we get ready for the Thorne Harbour Health Drag Race Trivia Night, we take a look at some of the Drag Race stories that have inspired us.
Breaking Down Stigma
Back on Season 1, an emotional Ongina made reality TV history by sharing that she had been living with HIV for two years. “I’ve been so afraid to say it,” she told the judges. “You have to celebrate life. You keep going, and I keep going.” In sharing her story, Ongina helped reduce HIV stigma at a time when media portrayals of HIV were often shaped by fear and misinformation.
Ongina’s courage paved the way for other queens to share their own experiences of living with HIV. Returning to the competition for All Stars 6, Trinity K. Bonet addressed misconceptions she has faced as a person with an undetectable viral load, saying: “There’s a lot of people out here who are not educated that you can be with somebody who is HIV positive if they’re undetectable and not catch the virus.”
More recently, Season 16’s Q acknowledged Drag Race’s role in increasing visibility for people living with HIV. Wearing a runway look inspired by Keith Haring’s prints and the AIDS awareness ribbon, Q shared that she was HIV positive, saying, “To be on this platform and just to be able to be open about that, that’s really important to me.”
Stories like these highlight the importance of accurate information and community connection for people living with HIV. Click here to learn more about our services for people living with HIV.
Visibility and Affirmation
From Season 5’s Monica Beverly Hillz declaring, “I’m not just a drag queen, I’m a transgender woman” to Season 13’s Gottmik becoming the first openly trans man to compete on the show, Drag Race has given many viewers the opportunity to not only see people like themselves onscreen, but to see them celebrated.
On Season 14, Jasmine Kennedie spoke about the importance of seeing trans queens like her castmate Kerri Colby on the show. In an emotional episode of Untucked, Kennedie told the other queens that she had been apprehensive about starting hormones before coming on the show but that “seeing Kerri, seeing how confident she is in who she is, it just further affirmed what I’ve been feeling my whole life.”
Later in the season, Colby described her own experience of becoming a trans role model after appearing on the show as “emotional”, explaining that “I’m able to give what I always wish I would have had.”
As these queens—and the show’s many other trans and gender diverse contestants—remind us, visibility and access to support can have a powerful impact on health and wellbeing. Click here to learn more about our services for trans and gender diverse communities.
The Importance of Connection
Some of the most compelling moments on Drag Race have taken place at the Werk Room mirrors as the queens get into drag and connect through their shared life experiences, such as their relationship with alcohol and other drug use.
In a touching conversation on Season 7, Katya and Miss Fame bonded over the challenges of navigating the high-intensity world of Drag Race while in recovery.
“Being away from my support network has been brutal,” Katya said. “I’m having to deal with all the insecurities I don’t want to face.”
“You’re in it, but you’re not alone,” Miss Fame assured her. “I’m here with you having those same fears and feelings.”
Miss Fame’s message extends beyond the Werk Room. Whether you’re exploring your relationship with alcohol or other drugs, seeking support for recovery or simply looking for a non-judgemental conversation, connection can make all the difference. Click here to learn more about our alcohol and other drug services.
So when we tune in to watch Drag Race each week, we’re not just watching for entertainment. We’re watching to see ourselves and our stories represented onscreen and to remind ourselves of the importance of spaces that bring our communities together.