“RuPaul Charles was a key figure who brought drag out of the closet and into the mainstream. Before RuPaul, drag was viewed as an obscure subculture. The art is now appreciated by the masses as a centerpiece for entertainment. He built a drag empire with more than 10 years of "RuPaul's Drag Race" on VH1, including multiple spin-off shows and the launch of "DragCon" in multiple cities. But most importantly, RuPaul helped carve a place for LGBTQ culture in the mainstream. Originally from San Diego, RuPaul moved to Atlanta at 15 to study performance art and rose to popularity in the underground nightclub scene. After moving to New York in the mid-1980s, RuPaul was crowned "The Queen of Manhattan" in 1989. Years of appearances in movies and TV shows, as well as a number of studio albums of his own, transformed RuPaul from a club kid to an A-list celebrity. His rise to stardom helped give drag a presence on an international scale, which later exploded into what drag culture is now. RuPaul used his status as a celebrity and business mogul for LGBTQ activism, including becoming M.A.C. cosmetic's first "Viva Glam" ambassador for the M.A.C. AIDS fund, which has raised millions. He hasn't shied away from being political, and has spoken at Pride events over the years. RuPaul's career and "Drag Race" acted as a springboard for other drag queens to make a living through performances and corporate sponsorships. His contributions to the LGBTQ community boil down to the impact he made as a pioneer in drag, and how "Drag Race" drastically changed the way millions of Americans view — and appreciate — a key facet of gay culture.” in edition.cnn.com • • • #rupaul #rupaulcharles #dragqueen #mamaru #gay #lgbtq #pridemonth #lgbtrights #reworkedphoto #illustrationonphotos #illustrationonphotography #illustrationoncelebraties #reworkedphoto #wannabeportrait #brownieillustration (em Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQTEPhPMOvK/?utm_medium=tumblr