A pioneer in the artform of drag, RuPaul has opened doors, and changed the hearts, minds and perception of the LGBTQI+ community around the world. Tiernan’s friend introduced her to the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Yes, you’ll revel in the sea of sequins, but the show is more than that, giving LGBTQI+ contestants of all shapes, ages and races, the opportunity to share their authentic selves. Drawn to the grandeur of drag, Tiernan was also deeply moved by RuPaul’s choice to leverage his celebrity and create a platform for this under-represented community and art form. “RuPaul’s show has been game-changing for the integration of LGBTQI+ art and stories in mainstream culture,” Tiernan says. “And in the spirit of true authenticity, I’ve found a lot of joy through performing in drag, myself. The dualities of gender archetypes I get to embody and explore while in drag are eye-opening. I’ve learned a ton about the dichotomies of presenting as female and male including: body language and physical embodiment, vocal tonalities, gesticulation and having an audience react to me differently, based on the gender they perceive me to be. My own drag experiences have taught me deep empathy for what gender roles mean in our world today.”