How Drag Race’s Ginny Lemon shattered huge LGBTQ+ boundaries in Commonwealth opening ceremony: ‘This is a huge deal for queer people everywhere‘
Drag Race legend Ginny Lemon has spoken out about the ‘honour’ of representing their community at this year’s Commonwealth Games.The drag queen thrilled crowds at Birmingham as they opened the ceremony in a lemon-shaped hot air balloon, kicking off the global event in their unique, brilliant way.It was an absolutely massive moment for Ginny’s career – but more than that, the star felt the ‘momentous’ honour of representing both their homeland of the West Midlands and the LGBTQ+ community.The opening of the Games was broadcast to an audience of up to one billion people, across Commonwealth countries – the vast majority of which criminalises being gay.Ginny, who is non-binary, spoke to Metro.co.uk about the importance of representation, describing it as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for them.‘I’m feeling on top of the world, I feel absolutely amazing,’ they said.‘I cannot believe how momentous it was… It was once-in-a-lifetime for me and to be part of that, to be representing the west Midlands, I feel so honoured.They said it was ‘amazing to be watched by over 1 billion people, 30,000 people in the stadium, from all around the world. ‘For me, the most humbling experience is that in a lot of these countries it’s illegal to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
So to be broadcasting queer artists and representing queer artists and non-binary people, it’s an honour really.‘On one front I feel very honoured and very glad that I’ve done a good job.
And then on another I feel that this is just a big deal for queer people everywhere.’Asked what their message is to the wider LGBTQ+ community, both in the UK, Commonwealth countries and across the world, Ginny urged everyone to ‘keep fighting.’‘We have to keep fighting for.
