While RuPaul Drag Race fans have enjoyed countless positive moments from the HBO docuseries We’re Here, an Indiana pastor has been relieved of his pastoral duties after appearing in drag on the show. We're Here follows Drag Race favorites Shangela, Eureka, and Bob the Drag Queen as they travel to the smallest towns and cities in America to share their love of drag. Selecting residents to receive head-to-toe drag makeovers, each episode concludes with an all-out drag performance starring the transformed locals.
Bob, Eureka, and Shangela work closely with their respective drag daughters to discuss the challenges of living in a small town while seeking equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. While the drag shows produced pack a fun-filled punch, We’re Here aims to shine a spotlight on individuals that want to shake up the way locals view the LGBTQIA+ community. The Drag Race stars occasionally deal with prejudice, but they focus on garnering loving connections amongst the participants while fostering a safe space.
The news of Craig Duke being relieved of his pastoral duties came after a GoFundMe was created for the pastor after he donned a drag persona in support of his pansexual daughter. The GoFundMe statement explained that after Craig appeared on We’re Here that "this show caused much turmoil in the church that he was serving at the time and ultimately lead to him being 'relieved of pastoral duties' at that church…Obviously, this poses a major challenge to Craig and his family as they determine their next steps." The GoFundMe also emphasized that Craig is a devote man of faith as well as “a father, a husband, a social justice advocate, and ally for the LGBTQIA+ community" who "has fought for a fully inclusive church that is welcoming to people of all races, all genders, and all sexual orientations."
Responses from the Drag Race stars were swift, with Shangela and Eureka voicing their solidarity with Craig and speaking out against the injustice he has faced due to his participation in the show. In a video posted on Instagram discussing the incident, Shangela’s caption read that Craig, “has been bullied by a large portion of his church congregation out of his role (or with relieved duties) because of his showcase of love for the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s take a stand.” The co-creator of We’re Here, Stephen Warren reported to People that creators “expected resistance” throughout the production process but never anticipated this result for Craig after appearing in drag on the series.
The culture surrounding drag has evolved and LGBTQIA+ culture is easier to find in urban areas of the country. Unfortunately, it's often difficult to find safe spaces in certain rural areas, as seen in Craig Duke’s case. Craig took a mindful risk as a local man of faith to support the LGBTQIA+ community in the series, and while he has been relieved of his pastoral role he has received widespread support from RuPaul Drag Race and We’re Here fans all over the country. Hopefully, this tragic incident will only elevate the mission of We’re Here and encourage locals to stand up for what is right.