Brigitte Bandit, a local Austin drag queen has recently gained the spotlight after receiving a signed and bejeweled guitar from country music legend Dolly Parton. During a performance at a downtown club, the artist was stunned to unveil the instrument, a token of support from Parton amidst Bandit's active opposition against Texas' anti-drag legislation. "To Brigitte. Love, Dolly Parton," read the personal message on the guitar. The warm act by Parton, as reported by KXAN, comes at a time when Bandit, alongside other plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit leading to a federal judge issuing a permanent injunction against a law targeting drag performances.
Brigitte Bandit, known for her Dolly Parton performances and elaborately flamboyant costumes, has been a vocal figure in the drag scene, most recently battling against Senate Bill 12. The bill sought to criminalize some drag performances, an action Bandit has described as an attempt to force drag culture back into obscurity. Bandit told The New Yorker, "It's wild to think about how we would just perform in people's front yards," reflecting on times prior to the escalated hostilities against drag. Their work extends beyond the stage and into politics, where Bandit's efforts quickly become a fixture in the fight against discrimination.
The clash between drag performers and conservative lawmakers has enveloped Texas into a skirmish over artistic freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. Bandit's struggle, and those of their peers, continues to draw contrasting visions of what Texas stands for. The viral reactions against the proposed drag laws hinge on contested notions of public morality and performance art. As venues canceled performances due to the threats, and anti-drag activists labeled performers with incendiary terms, Brigitte Bandit continues to be a symbol of resilience within the community.
Parton's signed guitar is not just a cherished collectible for Brigitte Bandit but a symbol of alliance and acknowledgment of the ongoing struggles drag performers face. Accepting the gift, Bandit plans "to only perform once with this guitar before she places it behind glass in a display case," aiming to honor Parton's music and the LGBTQ+ community's fight. The New Yorker detailed Bandit's intention to use the guitar for a tribute on Parton's birthday.
