'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fans Spot Subtle Way The Show Has Been Made More Trans-Inclusive In Christmas Episode

The small change didn't go unnoticed.

The ’Rupaul’s Drag Race’ festive special has not exactly won unanimous praise from viewers since its debut last week, but fans have been impressed with one way the show has taken a step to become more inclusive of transgender contestants.

Earlier this year, RuPaul landed himself in hot water over comments about whether he would allow transgender women who had transitioned to compete on the show, going on to liken the situation to athletes taking performance enhancing drugs.

He later apologised for his remarks, and in the ‘Drag Race’ Christmas show, dubbed the ‘Holi-Slay Spectacular’, fans noticed that Ru had even adjusted one of his famous catchphrases to make it more trans-inclusive.

RuPaul in the 'Holi-Slay Spectacular'
RuPaul in the 'Holi-Slay Spectacular'
Netflix

Towards the end of the episode – which saw the return of series two contestant Sonique, who came out as transgender in that year’s reunion special – Ru introduced the contestants to the mainstage by saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. And may the best woman win.”

As fans of the show will know, the host usually only declares “gentlemen, start your engines…”, with the newly-updated slogan winning praise on social media:

The good thing about Rupaul’s Holiday special was that Rupaul said “ladies and gentlemen, start your engines...” for Sonique. Baby steps are still steps Ru.

— I want a sugar daddy for Hannukah (@AlienAdrien) December 9, 2018

the only thing i enjoyed about the christmas special was hearing ru say “ladies and gentlemen, start your engines” rather than just gentlemen,, we’re getting there slowly laid ease

— summer🤠 (@thorgeouss) December 8, 2018

The best part about the holislay drag race episode was when rupaul said “ladies and gentlemen” instead of “gentleman”

— Kylie Cloud (@RoyalCityHarbor) December 8, 2018

Ok so what I will say is that I'm really happy that ru said ladies and gentlemen start your engines on the runway.

— Florida🌩 (@FloThundercloud) December 8, 2018

Redownloaded the Twitter app just to say I'm happy @RuPaul said "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines" tonight to recognize @xoSonique as a trans queen. It's small but it made me happy okay deleting the app again bye 👋💋

— Bweeb (@Bweeb2) December 8, 2018

Instead of the usual "gentlemen, star your engines and may the best woman win" he said "ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and may the best Christmas queen win" and I was so proud to hear it

— sweetie (@ms_whovian) December 8, 2018

can’t believe rupaul has said “LADIES and gentlemen, start your engines” about fucking time eh

— inés (@vanberkeI) December 8, 2018

‘Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines’ shouldn’t have been as moving as it was. But it was.

— Michael Tree Richardson 🎄 (@HRFMichael) December 8, 2018

This show isn’t perfect, but it’s putting in the effort to get better. I’m so happy to be a drag race fan right now. Of course the special was cheesy and campy, but that’s why I loved it! It was such a wonderful celebration of queer artists and it truly warmed my heart.

— Strega Nona Gina (@gaypastawitch) December 9, 2018

"Ladies and gentlemen start your engines" na ung sinasabi ni Rupaul sa christmas special pic.twitter.com/xdBt4EWpUn

— jm (@JMBenedicto_) December 9, 2018

So happy watching the @RuPaulsDragRace’s Holislay Spectacular and hearing Ru say “ladies and gentlemen, start your engines”

— Jonathon 💫 (@jonathonzayn) December 9, 2018

Sonique finished in ninth place in the second series of ‘Drag Race’, losing out to Morgan McMichaels in the ‘2 Of Hearts’ lip sync, following her ill-fated Lady Gaga imitation in the ‘Snatch Game’ challenge.

The cast of the 'Holi-Slay Spectacular'
The cast of the 'Holi-Slay Spectacular'
Netflix

It’s expected that RuPaul’s new catchphrase will be retained for the upcoming series of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’, which will include the return of Gia Gunn, another contestant who has come out as trans since first competing on the show.

Despite having already filmed her ‘All Stars’ stint at the time of RuPaul’s controversial remarks about trans contestants, Gia later told fans she would not be willing to return to the show as she didn’t feel she’d be “welcome” as a trans woman.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular’ is available to stream on Netflix now, while ‘All Stars 4’ will debut on Comedy Central later this week.

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