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Queens to the (Animal) Rescue!
On a new reality show, the drag queens went down to the farm to fight for animal rights.
Onya Mann, Erica Chanel, Vegas Van Dank, Crystal Brooks, and Tallulah Van Dank were among the stars of Queens of the Queen City who traveled to Easley, S.C., for a furry photo shoot.
The photographs by Casey Coscarelli helped promote their Queens to the Rescue charity event, which supported Izzie's Pond, a wildlife rescue center. While there, the queens encountered a bevy of rescue animals, including cows, raccoons, deer, and even snakes.
Queens of the Queen City, executive-produced by Brandon Hilton (Mann), follows a diverse group of drag performers based in Charlotte, N.C., which is also known as "The Queen City." The series will be released in six parts, Fridays on IGTV.
Meet the queens below, and read about the animals that impacted their lives and how LGBTQ+ folks can support animal rights. And then watch the episode!
Onya Mann
Tell us about an animal that changed your life.
When I was a kid, I discovered owls on the National Geographic channel and was instantly drawn to how smart they are and their ability to almost camouflage themselves high up in the trees. That really resonated with me for some reason, and since then, owls have always been my favorite animals.
Why should LGBTQ+ people fight for animal rights?
I believe the LGBTQ community should stand up and fight for animals because we know what it's like to have to fight for rights, only animals can't speak for themselves. When I created Queens to the Rescue with Michelle Shara we wanted to use the art of drag to do more than just look pretty and win pageants. Since we created QTTR two years ago, we have raised and donated over $50,000 to animal rescues across the Carolinas! It is our main mission to help rescues become no-kill zones and save as many lives as we can.
Instagram: @BrandonHilton
Erica Chanel
Tell us about an animal that changed your life.
A tiger because it's brave and confident. I would say that my personality is much like that in my drag persona.
Why should LGBTQ+ people fight for animal rights?
I feel like everyone should fight for animal rights, especially when it comes to animal breeding, hard labor on animals.
Instagram: @TheEricaChanel
Vegas Van Dank
Tell us about an animal that changed your life.
The animal that impacted me most in my life would have to be my childhood dog, London. I had a lot of rough times in my childhood being a queer person in the South, and I could talk to her anytime I wanted about anything and she would love me. She would always be there when I needed her, and she cared about me more than anything in the world. Losing her was harder than losing anyone in my family. I miss her every day.
Why should LGBTQ+ people fight for animal rights?
I believe everyone should care about animal rights, not just LGBTQIA people. They are living, breathing creatures that have thoughts and need love. As humans, we take environments and homes from animals every day. As a whole we should do better and protect wildlife on our earth.
Instagram: @VegasVanDank
Tallulah Van Dank
Tell us about an animal that changed your life.
I adopted my cat, Mila, at a really challenging time in my life. I was suffering with a severe depressive episode and realized that I needed a companion who would exist with me and give me something to care for, even when I couldn't care for myself. I rescued her when she was about three years old. She's my first pet as an adult and has allowed me to feel useful and not alone, even on my darkest days.
Why should LGBTQ+ people fight for animal rights?
I think it's important for the queer community to support and value animal rights because all living beings deserve care and respect. We, being a marginalized group, know what it's like to be devalued and cast aside, and caring for other marginalized people as well as standing for the fair and human treatment of animals seems to me like a natural extension of our activism.
Instagram: @TallulahVanDank
Crystal Brooks
Tell us about an animal that changed your life.
I think my favorite animal would have to be a dog. They love so unconditionally, and I think we as humans could learn from that. Especially in today's world. They are always so happy to see you, and it's so nice to see a wagging tail when you get home from a long day.
Why should LGBTQ+ people fight for animal rights?
Two small things that we can all do to help animals is, one, donate money to local rescues and, two, stop buying from breeders and start adopting! There are thousands of animals put up for adoption every day and [that] are looking for loving homes. If you really don't want to adopt, then please do extensive research on the breeder to make sure you aren't contributing to the terrible business that is puppy mills.
Instagram: @TheCrystalBrooks
Watch the first episode here.
The cast of "Queens of the Queen City"
