Thrillist - 'Drag Is Freedom': Texas-Born NYC Drag Queen Julie J on Fighting Anti-Trans Hate in the South

Photo by Cole Saladino

Julie J has had an extraordinarily busy start to 2023. After organizing a drag benefit show that raised over $25,000 to support the fight against anti-drag and anti-trans legislation in Tennessee, Julie J shows no signs of slowing down. We caught up over the phone to chat about her favorite New York City venues, growing up in Texas, and how she became known as the Maya Angelou of drag.