Candis Cayne did not hold back when it came to trans representation in this upcoming election cycle.
Speaking to What’s Trending at RuPaul’s Drag Race DragCon, the actress and producer, known for her pioneering role as a transgender woman in entertainment, discussed her upcoming projects and her take on controversial remarks against the transgender community.
Cayne, who has been involved with the popular franchise since its earlier seasons, emphasized the global impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“I’ve seen the global takeover of Drag Race, which is so fun to watch because that just means that drag has become accessible globally to millions and millions and millions of people,” Cayne said. “And everybody loves it so much and they get behind their queen.”
Cayne, a fixture of New York City’s drag scene since the early nineties, reminisced about her early encounters with RuPaul and the evolution of their collaboration. “I think the first time I saw Ru was at Wigstock in the early nineties singing ‘You Better Work’,” she recalled fondly.
Beyond her on-screen presence, Cayne has ventured into production with her company, Mary, It’s Mary Productions, aiming to amplify queer voices in media. Their first project, “Candis Cayne’s Secret Garden,” recently debuted on Hulu, marking a significant milestone for the team.
“It’s been amazing,” Cayne enthused about the project’s journey to streaming success. “Our goal is to really help the queer community tell stories that mainstream media won’t be able to tell.”
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Discussing LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy, particularly amidst recent political developments, the star addressed the consistent rhetoric facing the community at the time and even Project 2025.
“It’s scary,” Cayne admitted when discussing the current political climate. “This whole platform they have, Project 2025. I haven’t read the entire document. I’ve read parts of it and it’s scary, especially parts pertaining to the LGBT community.”
In the wake of the Republican National Convention, Cayne also expressed concern over anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric gaining traction, particularly regarding transgender rights and participation in sports.
“They vilify trans people,” Cayne stated emphatically. “There are 100 trans kids in sports in the entire America, 100. So you see that this isn’t a pressing issue.”
The actress-director didn’t hold back when addressing the impact of such rhetoric on marginalized communities. “It’s frustrating,” Cayne continued, visibly impassioned. “They don’t want to change the world. They just want to be comfortable. They want to be in a safe place.”
Despite these challenges, Cayne remains optimistic about the power of storytelling to effect change, citing upcoming projects that delve into diverse aspects of queer life and history.
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“We wrote a story called ‘Chaser’ about a transamorous man set in the nineties,” Cayne revealed. “We’re really excited about that.”
From her perspective, Cayne sees storytelling as a tool for education and empowerment, particularly in a time where the LGBTQ+ community faces renewed scrutiny.
“It’s really important,” Cayne emphasized. “We need to tell people to go vote.”
As the interview concluded, Cayne left with a poignant message, reflective of her unwavering commitment to advocacy and community support.
“We have to fight,” Cayne urged. “We need to have allies fight for us. People need to know about these things going on.”
