29 min
The drag queen who ran for president of the United States The Outlook Podcast Archive
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In the 1990s Terence Smith launched his campaign to run for United States president in drag, shocking voters and the media. His mission was not to win, but instead, to raise awareness about the Aids crisis which was killing his community. Critical of the government's slow response to the epidemic, Terence armed himself with a blonde wig, platform shoes, and the persona of Joan Jett Blakk and decided to run against future president Bill Clinton. Jo Fidgen speaks to Terence from his home in San Francisco, USA.
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Gaia Caramazza
(Photo: Poster from Joan Jett Blakk's political campaign. Credit: Eric Stein Photography)
In the 1990s Terence Smith launched his campaign to run for United States president in drag, shocking voters and the media. His mission was not to win, but instead, to raise awareness about the Aids crisis which was killing his community. Critical of the government's slow response to the epidemic, Terence armed himself with a blonde wig, platform shoes, and the persona of Joan Jett Blakk and decided to run against future president Bill Clinton. Jo Fidgen speaks to Terence from his home in San Francisco, USA.
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Gaia Caramazza
(Photo: Poster from Joan Jett Blakk's political campaign. Credit: Eric Stein Photography)
29 min