First safe spaces seminar for drag community held

Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez.

MANILA, Philippines — Pride Month may be over, but the fight for safe spaces—especially for the country’s drag community—is far from over.

Last July 8, 2025, The Playhouse made history with the launch of the Drag Space Project—a pioneering initiative in partnership with the Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC), Kababaihan Organization, and Rainbow Rights.

The event featured a specialized seminar on anti-sexual harassment and the Safe Spaces Act, conducted by DOJAC and designed specifically for the drag community.

DOJAC Program Director ASP Joan Carla Guevarra, The Playhouse President Eva Le Queen, DOJ Usec. Margarita Gutierrez and Rampa Club owner Louie Cabel.

The seminar was held at Rampa Drag Club in Quezon City, recognized by the community as a safe haven for expression and empowerment. It comes in the wake of a string of disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct involving high-profile drag personalities which have shaken the country’s drag scene.

DOJAC Program Director ASP Joan Carla Guevarra.

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Eva Le Queen, celebrity drag artist, President of The Playhouse, and founder of the Drag Space Project, said the community can no longer look the other way.

Participants of the Drag Space Project Seminar Workshop.

“Yes, abuse and harassment happen—but I want to give our industry a chance. We are not complicit in that kind of behavior. We are drag artists—we bring joy, magic, and happiness to people,” she said. “But if we turn a blind eye to what is happening in front of us, what does that make us? We do not want to enable that kind of behavior. Education is always the key. We don’t have enough of it right now. Gender sensitivity is part of our industry, and this needed to be done.”

Rainbow Rights Executive Director Atty. Eljay Bernardo.

DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, a staunch ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and a proud supporter of the drag scene, expressed her full support and commitment to advancing safe spaces within the industry.

“You can count on the Department of Justice—not just to listen, but to act,” Gutierrez said during her address.

“Through this DOJAC lecture series, we hope to empower you with knowledge. Our goal is simple but powerful: to build a drag space that is safe, respectful, and just for all. A space where we know our boundaries—on and off stage. A space where we feel brave enough to speak up when something’s not right. A space where accountability matters. These are the safe spaces we all deserve. Because when we make the drag space safe, we also uplift the entire LGBTQIA+ community.”

DOJAC Program Director and Assistant State Prosecutor Joan Carla Guevarra led the seminar, offering an in-depth discussion on the legal foundations of safe spaces. She provided clear, relatable examples specifically tailored for the drag community, making the session both informative and accessible. Guevarra also outlined the key differences between the Safe Spaces Act and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, and explained what actions may constitute violations under Acts of Lasciviousness.

Kababaihan Organization co-organized the seminar and actively supported efforts to promote safe spaces within the drag community, reinforcing its commitment to gender sensitivity, inclusivity, empowerment, and justice for all.

Rainbow Rights Advocacy Officer Pura Luka Vega emphasized the importance of the seminar in reminding the drag community—and the public—of what the law provides and how it can serve as a tool for protection. “This isn’t just about safeguarding queer people, but also the patrons who support and enjoy the art of drag,” they said.

“Rainbow Rights will discuss the nuances of the law and how it can be implemented through a human rights lens. Sometimes, we all need to be reminded of the value of a human rights approach in everything we do.”

The Drag Space Project is envisioned to serve as the social responsibility arm of the drag industry. “Hindi lang tayo magtatapos sa pag-address ng sexual assault,” Eva Le Queen said. “We can use this platform to mobilize movements—possibly for other causes. Anything we can do to help.” She emphasized the power of the drag community’s reach: “Ang laki ng clout, ang laki ng influence at following ng drag. We can channel that influence to make the space better—not just for us, but for everyone who celebrates and enjoys drag.”

The workshop was attended by a wide range of individuals from the drag scene—drag performers, event promoters, club owners, assistants, dancers, patrons, and other key members of the industry who help bring the art of drag to life.