Patriot-ish: Red, White & RuPaul — Rethinking Independence Day

✨ When “freedom” feels like a costume

Every year, July 4th rolls around with parades, barbecues, and firework-fueled declarations of “liberty and justice for all.” But in 2025, that phrase feels more like a marketing slogan than a lived reality. What does “freedom” even mean in a country where people are being ripped from their homes by masked men without identification? Where communities are left terrified in the wake of alleged I.C.E. raids — or worse, disappearances — under a regime that uses patriotism like a Halloween costume to cover its authoritarian grin?

We need to talk about what Independence Day really means in a country where not everyone is free.

🧊 Let’s talk about the I.C.E. in the room

In Los Angeles County and across the U.S., communities have sounded the alarm: unidentified individuals in unmarked vehicles are kidnapping people off the streets. These operations — carried out by masked agents who claim to represent immigration enforcement — have sparked waves of resistance and mutual aid. But the official response has been chillingly silent.

The truth is, under Trump’s regime, patriotism has been weaponized. It’s become a tool to silence dissent, erase civil liberties, and justify horrific acts under the red, white, and blue. There’s nothing “free” about being afraid to exist.

🎆 Fireworks for whom?

So when the fireworks light up the sky this July, who are they really for?

Certainly not for trans kids fighting for their right to exist.
Not for undocumented families living in fear.
Not for the Black and Brown communities continuously targeted by systemic violence.
Not for queer folks still fighting for the right to love and live in public.

And no, we’re not trying to rain on anyone’s parade — Barbra Streisand and Carol Channing already claimed that lane, and they did it in heels.

But let’s be real: celebrating freedom without confronting who is excluded from it isn’t just performative — it’s complicit. (And frankly, a little basic.)

💄 Red, White & RuPaul: Making joy revolutionary

But we’re not just here to rage (though let’s be honest — we’ve earned it). At Have Fun Spread Joy, we believe that joy is a form of resistance. It’s why we’re proudly queer-owned, fiercely outspoken, and forever fabulous.

So here’s how we’re flipping the script on Independence Day:

• Dress Loud, Dress Proud
  Rock your fiercest fits, whether it’s stars-and-stripes drag or glittery protest gear. RuPaul said it best: “When you become the image of your own imagination, it's the most powerful thing you could ever do.” Just ensure your eyeliner’s waterproof — we’re marching, not melting.
• Speak Out, Not Over
  Use your platform to amplify marginalized voices. Share stories of resistance. Educate your friends and family. Joy without justice is just noise — and we’ve already got enough fireworks this month.
• Create, Connect, Celebrate (on your own terms)
  Host a queer potluck. Paint a protest poster. Light sparklers in honor of those still fighting for freedom. Your joy doesn’t need government approval — it just needs glitter.
• Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is
  Support abolitionist orgs, mutual aid funds, and immigrant defense networks. Every dollar is a vote for the kind of world you want to build. Think of it as tipping the drag queen of democracy.

💥 This year, be Patriot-ish

Let the MAGA cosplay crowd keep their flags and fireworks. We’ll be over here in red glitter, white platforms, and blue eyeliner — serving truth, freedom, and just a little bit of shade.

Independence Day doesn’t belong to the powerful. It belongs to the people still fighting for it.

Stay loud. Stay proud. Stay joyful.