Some of the UK's leading drag queens teamed up with a host of famous faces last week to help tackle toxic gender stereotypes in cleaning, and raise funds for the LGBTQIA+ community, as part of their new collaboration with eco-friendly cleaning brand, method.
Drag SOS star Cheddar Gorgeous hosted the event, which saw celebs including Daisy Lowe, Nick Grimshaw, Laura Whitmore, Munroe Bergdorf and Oliver Proudlock in attendance, as new drag show, Drag Cleans, opened in East London.
As well as donating 100% of ticket sales from the event to the LGBT Foundation, method will also be funding the charity's entire volunteering programme over the next year, helping to support projects championing the charity's #EqualityWins activity, which aims to ensure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBTQIA+ people.
Research commissioned by method, conducted by Censuswide, which polled 1,000 respondents aged 18-65, found that 56% of Brits have never heard of a drag queen, with 70% having never attended a drag show. Over half of Brits (58%) even revealed that they're unaware of the correct definition of LGBTQIA.
Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, commented: “We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with method for the launch of Drag Cleans. We’re looking forward to this year-long initiative showcasing the talent of some amazing drag artists, which have for many decades been an important aspect of our community’s culture, as well as raising awareness of the many different people who identify as LGBT. The volunteer activity method will be supporting will ensure this partnership isn’t just a quick fling, but has a lasting positive impact for people from LGBT communities.”
Head of Communications at method, Sarah Tuke added: “The wonderful world of drag shares method’s love of looking fabulous, with innovation, creativity and unapologetic self-expression at its heart. Cleaning is having its ‘moment’, but the industry has long-been a contributor to tired stereotypes (think 50s cleaning ads!), and method has always played with the norm in order to bring a bit of sass to the cleaning aisle. We want to challenge stereotypes and gender norms with the help of LGBT Foundation and our Drag Talent – to create something truly wonderful, bold and meaningful, that drives positive change over the next 12 months.”