The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper S02E15 - Drag War

CNN National Correspondent Randi Kaye presents a colorful examination of how the art of drag performance has become a major target for the political right through the lens of local drag queens based in Florida.

Drag queens have fascinated audiences for centuries, establishing drag as a popular art form with extravagant balls in Harlem during the roaring ‘20s. The award-winning RuPaul's Drag Race has helped bring drag back into the spotlight in the modern day, launching franchises in more than a dozen countries and making drag performances more popular than ever. At the same time, drag queens are facing intense political backlash as right-wing lawmakers across the country are trying to push through legislation restricting their performances.

"I've reported live from festivities involving drag queens for years, like the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Key West, Florida. I'm now wondering how this campy form of entertainment has become such a target for the political right in my home state of Florida," Kaye said.

Kaye reports from Miami to Tallahassee, Florida, speaking with state politicians on both sides of the issue about why drag has become a political target and why local drag queens fight for their right to perform. Featuring insight from winner of RuPaul's Drag Race and Fulbright Scholar Sasha Velour, "Drag War" explores the history of drag and the cycles of acceptance and backlash that have repeated throughout history.