'We're Here' Episode 5 sees Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara head to Ruston, North Louisiana
The penultimate episode of limited docuseries 'We're Here' aired tonight on HBO. This time the drag mothers - Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Eureka O'Hara and Bob the Drag Queen have arrived in the far-flung town of Ruston in North Louisiana, in search of their drag daughters. Titled, 'Lets Fish, Fish', this was the fifth episode of the series and the focus was on three Ruston residents - Jose, Stacy, and Lynn. The series only uses first names to protect the privacy of the contestants.
Jose
He is a young gay man and on the episode, he wistfully mentioned, "I'm tired of not being myself and not feeling wanted". He also revealed to his drag mother, Shangela, that he grew up with a non-supportive mother who urged him not go out with men because of sneers from the neighbors. He admitted that this strained their relationship and they have lived separately ever since the day he was about to meet a boy for a date and his mother tried to stop him by threatening an ouster in case he decided to go. Jose had censored himself a lot to be "accepted" by his neighbors and family but he finally wanted to break free with his drag performance under the mentorship of Shangela who was determined to tell his story to the world in the best way possible. Jose was joined by his friend Jamario who was ready to perform alongside him as a sign of brotherly support.
Stacy
Every episode of 'We're Here' has had a straight ally getting into drag to show support and solidarity to the LGBTQ+ community. This episode, it was Stacy, a fire marshal, and a bouncer and an admittedly popular person around town with a lot of friends deciding to perform in drag. He wanted to do so to use his influence and social status to serve as a positive voice for the community. He had a full-grown bushy beard and Bob was very excited to work towards a 'bearded drag' performance with his drag son, something that he personally has wanted to do for quite some time.
Lynn
Lynn, a "badass" and tattooed lesbian worked with her drag mother Eureka to put forth a performance as a drag king. She met with an accident in 2016 and she lost her arm and leg as a result of the collison. She was a motorcyclist and lived a very independent life before her accident. She now has prosthetic limbs and even though it is a lot of work putting on and taking them off, she refuses to give up. She was told that she could never walk again and was asked to get her home wheelchair ready but her resilience has helped her come all this way and she even has a day job. She's married to her soulmate who she found when she was in rehab after her accident. Lynn wanted to do this performance to feel independent again and she aced it.
Tune in to the final episode of Season 1 of 'We're Here' next Thursday night only on HBO.
