US Taxpayer Dollars Now Funding Drag Theater Performances in Ecuador

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This is a very high-ranking category in the You Can’t Be Serious Category!

Fox News reported Wednesday that the State Department had awarded a grant in Ecuador to support drag theater performances.

On Sept. 23, the State Department granted a $20,600 grant to Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano, a non-profit organization that is supported by the U.S Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador to “promote diversity, and inclusion” in the region.

According to USASpending.gov, the grant from the State Department, the project at CEN will include “3 workshops”, “12 drag theatre performances” and a documentary of 2 minutes.

This brief overview can be found on the CEN website. It is graciously translated by this author, who studied French and not Spanish.

Unifying Two Cultures Since 1951

The North American Ecuadorian Center is a non-profit organization that has been working since its inception to foster friendship between Ecuadorian and American citizens through the promotion of cultural activities and teaching English.

Drag performances are likely to fall under the “free cultural activities” heading rather than the “teaching of English.”

The report points out that although the State Department has awarded funding previously to CEN, it appears this is the first time such funding has been allocated for drag performances. Fox reports that the reasoning behind this allocation is still a little murky.

CEN was granted the grant as part of the State Department’s public diplomacy program. It aims to “support U.S. foreign policies goals and objectives, promote national interests and enhance national security by informing foreign publics, expanding and strengthening the relationship among the people and governments of the United States and the citizens of other countries,” according to the website.

I don’t know if you feel the same way, but Ecuador makes me feel more secure and closer. Just knowing that we are funding drag shows is enough for me.

This particular cultural exchange is not and should not be for everyone.