Drag Race Star Megami Takes a Stand With Queer|Art Limited Edition Tee
Queer|Art, the national organization connecting and uplifting generations of LGBTQ+ artists, is pleased to partner with RuPaul’s Drag Race icon Megami to present a limited-edition, artist-designed shirt.
Megami’s custom shirt is available for a donation to Queer|Art, starting at $50, with increased contributions warmly encouraged. All proceeds will directly support Queer|Art’s mission to cultivate a dynamic community of LGBTQ+ artists across generations and disciplines.
The shirt is inspired by Megami’s viral talent show performance from Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, in which she lip-synced to 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” before holding up a series of protest signs. The final sign, reading, “PROTECT QUEER ART,” became an iconic meme, but it was always something more: a precise and necessary act, delivered at the exact moment mainstream support for queer people was quietly folding. With a few boards and glitter letter stickers, Megami said what needed to be said.
This tee is built from Megami’s iconic image and the conviction behind it. Río Sofia, Executive Director of Queer|Art, says of the shirt, “I’ve dreamt of this collaboration between Queer|Art and Megami since I saw her performance on Drag Race live at a local bar in Brooklyn back in 2024. She was the real winner of that challenge, and the lasting impression of her performance is proof of it.
“Megami held up that sign at the exact moment mainstream support for queer people and LGBTQ organizations was collapsing. Corporations were abandoning Pride, and with that, gigs were disappearing—not just for nonprofits like Queer|Art, but for artists, for drag performers, the people who make queer culture visible.”
Sofia continues, “Megami’s image became an immediate meme, much to her credit, as a divisive gag with a message deeper than most understood. And in an era of censorship and defunding, she transcended the noise with virality (not to mention, a lip sync smackdown with a vengeance). Queer artists are sacred—especially in times like these, when speaking truth to power is brave and necessary.”
Megami’s design is the third drop of THE QUEER|ART TEE SHOP, a new initiative directed by Willie Norris featuring unique artist-designed T-shirts, released as open editions for a limited time. The inaugural design was created by artist & activist Avram Finkelstein, and the second by Queer|Art Executive Director Río Sofia.
This tee is crafted from 100% ring-spun cotton and garment-dyed for an easy, lived-in softness. It is digitally printed with water-based ink and fits true to size with a relaxed silhouette and minimal shrinkage. The fabric is sturdy and perfect for everyday wear–not too heavy, not too light. The shirt is available in black/white and white/pink colorways.
You can purchase the shirt and learn more about it here.
