Three French drag artists took the main stage ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, making history as some of the first in drag to carry an Olympic torch.
In posts to social media, Minima Gesté, Miss Martini and Nicky Doll all shared about the honor to represent their country and community on a global stage.
“As the flame passes through France, it announces the Olympic Games and spreads a message of peace and friendship between peoples,” wrote Nicky Doll, the host of Drag Race France, on Instagram.
” What an absolute honor to have carried the Olympic torch for @paris2024 ! 🔥🇫🇷
As the flame passes through France, it announces the Olympic Games and spreads a message of peace and friendship between peoples. Which is why when I was invited to do it, I immediately said yes and worked really hard to fit in my schedule.
In a world that is deeply unstable at the moment, with all of us feeling completely hopeless about some awful things we watch happening before our eyes, it was important for me to use my platform and try to shed some light. Even though I usually prefer to act on things rather than hope for them: I would like to use this opportunity to hope for the immediate ceasefire in Rafah and for dignity to be brought back to Palestine and its people who tremendously suffered throughout these awful times and beyond. I hope for the safe release of the Israeli hostages that have been held away from their loved ones since October 7th. I hope for people to not turn savage on each other and allow racism, Islamophobia and anti-semitism to run wild again. I also wish for people to educate themselves on topics from reliable sources and stop the massively toxic impact of propaganda that social media and the internet has allowed to spread. These are a lot of hopes but I ran these meters carrying that torch and looking left and right to the people smiling and waving at me with this in mind.
I know that these are just words, on topics I’ve already communicated about. But until things don’t get better, we shouldn’t stop talking about it.
With hope, and love.
Nicky “
“In a world that is deeply unstable at the moment, with all of us feeling completely hopeless about some awful things we watch happening before our eyes, it was important for me to use my platform and try to shed some light. Even though I usually prefer to act on things rather than hope for them: I would like to use this opportunity to hope for the immediate ceasefire in Rafah and for dignity to be brought back to Palestine and its people who tremendously suffered throughout these awful times and beyond,” she added.
Miss Martini, who performs predominantly in Marseille was proud to unite “citizens under the same values,” adding in a post that she was “Proud to have been chosen to represent the LGBTQIA+ community with my sisters, Minima Gesté and Nicky Doll.
Minima Gesté, who was the target of homophobic and transphobic harassment over her participation in the capital city’s leg of the relay, according to a report by them., fiercely carried the Olympic torch last week and thanked her community for the love and support she has received.
Calling the moment as a “unique and phenomenal opportunity,” Minima Gesté rounded out the trio of history-making drag artists to bear the Olympic torch to Paris with the Opening Ceremony taking place this Friday, July 26.
To ensure comprehensive and fair coverage of LGBTQ olympians, GLAAD’s 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Guide was created in collaboration with Athlete Ally and Pride House France, and produced by the GLAAD Media Institute, GLAAD’s training, research and consulting division. Learn more at GLAAD.org/Institute and support GLAAD’s work here.
