A Drag Queen’s Attempt at a Social Experiment

AI is a drag queen’s best friend. Or is it? In recent weeks, I’ve noticed a new debate emerging among drag queens: the relationship between generative AI and drag.

There is a fierce contingent of kings, queens, and creatures who have made it absolutely clear: Generative AI is NOT the tea. Citing the environmental, economic, and cultural impacts, they argue that drag entertainers should not sacrifice the artform or drinking water for a few cutesie AI-generated images.

Meanwhile, others suggest that there’s no harm in the girls having a little fun.

I can understand both sides, but prefer a more systemic analysis. Generative AI is bad for the environment, economy, and culture, but individuals’ cutesie Christmas images aren’t to blame. Personally, I find drag queens debating the merits of generative AI on platforms like Facebook ironic and shortsighted.

Facebook is itself driven by a massive set of algorithms that are themselves artificial intelligence. From my perspective, those who are serious about curtailing the influence of AI on drag, as well as its impact on the wider culture, economy, and environment, need to seriously reconsider how they use social media in general, and Facebook in particular.

How do Drag Queens use Facebook?

We use it just like you do, silly! We use Facebook to connect with friends and family, share photos and memes, and get annoyed by the state of the world.

But there are drag specific usecases for Facebook. One obvious example is to promote shows and other events. Marketing 101 tells us that you want to share your event where the people are, and Facebook makes that easy!

Facebook Messenger is also many entertainers’ primary mode of communication. It’s how people get booked and organize shows. There are also countless drag-specific Facebook groups. Some are for networking or gossiping, some are for buying/selling/scamming, and others serve as “hubs” for pageant systems.

Facebook, by design, is easy to use and familiar to most people, making it a natural tool for drag entertainers.

But Facebook isn’t a Drag Queen’s Best Friend

Facebook has a complicated history with drag queens. In 2014, they sparked controversy when the platform enforced “real name” policies that made it unclear if people would be able to maintain accounts dedicated to their stage names and personas.

More recently, Mark Zuckerberg, like so many tech giants, has flirted with MAGA politics and instructed META to dialback DEI programs for employees as well as protections for trans and queer users.

We all know that there is “no ethical consumption under capitalism.” But I’m increasingly questioning my reliance on Facebook to connect with community members, share my events, and air my dirty laundry.

My Social Experiment

I’ve created this Substack as an attempt to be less dependent on META and Facebook. Beginning in 2026, I will write monthly newsletters and share updates and reminders for shows primarily through this Substack.

It will also be free, but I will never turn down a tip. So feel free to get a paid subscription if you’ve got it like that.

Like any good hypocrite, I will probably share this post and others on Facebook. But the goal is to use that shit less – okay?