Local drag artists, led by WorshipTheGays (@worshipthegays), called out Apotheka Manila, a night club in Poblacion, Makati, for censoring visuals for their Halloween show performances at the Elephant Party's “Horrorutan Sa Palasyo: The Disco Regime” on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
During their show in Apotheka Manila, WorshipTheGays took the opportunity to make a statement about the drag censorship of the night club relating the situation to Martial Law. “Walang kaibahan ang martial law sa ngayon. Alam niyo kung bakit? Dahil sa censorship,” WorshipTheGays said in her statement.
She shared that Apotheka asked all drag performers to blur their prepared visuals for the show as it came across as too political for the nightclub’s management.
She also asked all the audience present at their show to take a video of her and tag Apotheka in their social media sites for their statements. She then encourages everyone to shout “no to drag censorship,” and ends it with “drag is political.”
Drag Is A Protest
WorshipTheGays took to her instagram to further explain the situation at Apotheka Manila in which she shared multiple censorship incidents. Weeks before their Halloween show, Apotheka asked all the performing drag artists to not have a political impersonation on the show. They strongly opposed this rule as they described the show as a “political rave.”
The contradicting opinion between the club and drag artists resulted in an almost cancellation of the show. Apotheka then assured the drag artists that they were now allowing them to have political impersonations on their show.
On their rehearsal for the drag show, WorshipTheGays shared that Apotheka informed them that their prepared visuals for the show will be blurred which all drag artists were unable to resist anymore. However, no videos were played during their performances.
Moreover, Apotheka mandated drag artists to inform their audience that taking videos and posting them on social media are prohibited. This mandate is to not spread the political performances on the show which was then retracted after the performers fought for it. WorshipTheGays ended her post with statements “No to drag censorship. Queer spaces are political spaces. Drag is a protest.”
Apotheka Manila has long maintained a strong relationship with the drag community, hosting numerous viewing parties and drag performances, and providing a welcoming space for queer art. That's why the recent events at their Halloween party are especially disappointing. Apotheka Manila has yet to issue a statement regarding the issue as of the writing.
Drag Censorship
It can be recalled that back in 2023, Drag Den Season 1’s Pura Luka Vega was caught in one of the most known drag censorship in the Philippines because of her “Ama Namin” performance. Pura posted P1.2 million for facing 11 cases and 3 warrants of arrest for “offending religion” cited under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code prohibiting "indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows."
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is how religious, cultural, and political sensitivities are used to justify censorship. Pura Luka Vega’s performance, while provocative, was also an expression of their identity and commentary on the intersection of religion and queerness. Artistic expression has long served as a platform to challenge societal norms and provoke dialogue, especially for marginalized communities. However, the backlash and legal consequences faced by Pura suggest that the freedom to challenge religious institutions—a freedom often granted to other forms of art—is selectively curtailed when it involves queer identities.
Drag has always been inherently political, challenging societal norms and providing a voice for marginalized communities. To censor political drag performances is not only misguided but counterproductive; it disregards the very essence of drag as a form of protest and commentary. Silencing these voices sends a damaging message that queer art and identity aren't fully welcome in spaces meant to uplift and celebrate diversity. This approach undermines the progress we’ve made in fostering inclusivity and understanding.
Photo By Xymon Cadric
