8 hours ago
Bob The Drag Queen Urges Public to Avoid Platforming Charlie Kirk
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
On July 20, 2025, Bob The Drag Queen, celebrated performer and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate, appeared on MSNBC's "The Weekend: Primetime" to address mounting concerns over attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. During the segment, Bob issued a pointed critique of California Governor Gavin Newsom for engaging with far-right commentator Charlie Kirk, emphasizing that "no one should be speaking to Charlie Kirk" .
The discussion was set against the backdrop of the Trump administration's recent decision to shut down the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This move has sparked alarm and condemnation from advocates nationwide, who view it as a significant setback in suicide prevention and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth .
During the MSNBC panel, host Ayman Mohyeldin noted that Governor Newsom had engaged with right-wing media, including interviews with Charlie Kirk, to address criticism from within his own party regarding support for transgender rights. Bob The Drag Queen responded unequivocally: "Can I just say, speaking to Charlie Kirk is never a good idea. No one should be speaking to Charlie Kirk... we've all just agreed that this is one person we will not be speaking to. But I do believe Charlie Kirk is that person" .
Bob’s comments reflect a broader debate within progressive and LGBTQ+ circles about whether engaging with far-right commentators legitimizes their platforms and undermines efforts to combat misinformation and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
Bob also addressed the impact of federal policy changes on LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting the importance of accessible mental health resources, especially for those facing suicidal ideation. "Mental health is really important, especially... how hard it can be to get through something like that," Bob said, expressing deep concern for the well-being of young LGBTQ+ people now left without specialized lifeline services .
The deactivation of the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services has been widely criticized by mental health professionals and advocacy organizations, who note that LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately at risk for suicide and mental health challenges due to stigma and discrimination .
Bob The Drag Queen’s remarks have resonated across social media, with many LGBTQ+ advocates echoing calls to avoid amplifying voices that spread anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation. The debate over whether to engage directly with figures like Charlie Kirk, who has a history of inflammatory statements about LGBTQ+ people, continues to divide activists and political strategists .
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the episode underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain visibility and safety in public discourse while resisting tactics that give undue legitimacy to hostile actors.
As the policy landscape shifts and public figures like Bob The Drag Queen use their platforms to speak out, the conversation around how best to protect and support LGBTQ+ lives remains urgent and deeply contested.
