Controversial news has emerged from the upcoming “Star Wars Celebration,” the official Walt Disney Company-approved convention for Star Wars fans, as it has been announced that the event will host a panel titled “Star Wars is a DRAG!” aimed at children ages 6 and up, The Post Millennial reports.
Twitter user “That Gay Jedi,” who will be leading the panel alongside other guests, stated, “I am humbled, grateful, and over the forest moons to announce that my @SW_Celebration panel w/ @pencilscratchin and @dsigurani titled, ‘Star Wars is a DRAG! – Exploring Star Wars through the Art of Drag’ has been OFFICIALLY APPROVED!”
The official panel description, according to That Gay Jedi, reads, “The long and rich history of drag has graced the world with entertainment, culture, political action, and so much more. It is no wonder, then, that today the art form has reached such a cultural significance that the truths and concepts of drag performance permeate countless aspects of our daily lives…including Star Wars!”
“Some of Star Wars’ very best characters embody various core principles of drag—whether it’s Din Djarin’s drag as personal expression and self-discovery, Asajj Ventress’ drag as Queer Rebellion, or Padmé Amidala’s drag as self-empowerment. The relevance of drag even spills out of the pages and screens of Star Wars and flows through the fandom itself through hobbies like cosplay,” the description goes on to say.
“While taking an introductory look at the history and function of drag in our world today, let’s also explore its thematic resonance and influential presence in everyone’s favorite far, far-away galaxy!”
Not everyone was thrilled with the announcement, with popular YouTuber Mr. H Reviews commenting, “It’s just wholly inappropriate. Star Wars is for children.”
That Gay Jedi responded to his critics in a video, stating, “I basically just don’t want to let people get away with putting my name in their mouth and as a queer person I am not going to be quiet about it.”
He further defended the panel, saying, “I don’t know where anything sexual is in there for you. I mean, sounds like a you thing” and claiming that anyone who reads the description correctly should “check up on your reading comprehension.”
