Naturally, Nancy Pelosi Stepped Into a D.C. Gay Bar to Watch Her ‘Drag Race’ Debut

One of the greatest moments of last night’s Drag Race All Stars was the special guest appearance by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Of course, an appearance on cable’s gayest, most thrilling show requires celebration, so the congresswoman went to her local gay bar to watch the episode. We’re actually still gagging over this Nancy Pelosi Drag Race stunt.

The get-together took place at famed Washington, D.C. bar Nellie’s. Supporters could get in with a mere $25 donation to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to watch the episode with her.

In the episode, Trixie Mattel is nearly moved to tears. She says, “Every time you get in drag, you’re making a political statement. We live in a world where a high-power politician will walk into the workroom. That makes me feel hopeful.”

Pelosi saw the Drag Race appearance as a way to remind people that Pelosi’s been on the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ rights since her congressional beginnings in 1987. She became Speaker of the House in 2007 and was vocal about her support of marriage equality. She said, “Every time I went on a show, the first question was ‘Do you believe in gay marriage?’ And I would say, ‘Yes, because I don’t believe in discrimination of any kind.’ And that would be their ‘Ho, ho, ho, look how liberal she is.’”

Pelosi’s activism means a lot to the community. Doug Schantz, the owner of Nellie’s, told the Washington Post, “Back when I came out, gay bars I went to didn’t even have windows. Who would have ever thought we should have someone like Nancy come here, and be on this show?”

In the episode, RuPaul says, “Congresswoman Pelosi is a strong woman who knows how to get things done.”

And, though she undoubtedly had fun on the show, getting things done was why she was there. Pelosi said her appearance was to remind people of a simple political fact: “If you don’t vote, you don’t count, and you count.”

 

What did you think of the Nancy Pelosi Drag Race appearance? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured image courtesy of VH1