Drag Race UK star issues reminder to poppy-wearers on Remembrance Day
Drag Race UK star Crystal appeared on Sky News to discuss Remembrance Day. (Sky)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal has shared a message for anyone wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day.
Crystal, whose name out of drag is Colin Seymour, appeared on Sky News to discuss Remembrance Sunday, held in memory of those who served in the two world wars and later conflicts.
Remembrance Day itself is held each year on 11 November, originally marking the silencing of the guns of the First World War at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. A two-minute silence is held at 11am.
In response to the question of “should we wear a poppy”, Crystal said: “It’s such an important occasion to mark. I actually umm’d and ahh’d a lot about wearing a poppy today because I find the pageantry that comes along with it sometimes a little bit nauseating. It becomes much more about a political show than it does about remembrance.
“The remembrance is the key thing, especially in a world where the far right is rising, racism is on the rise, xenophobia… it’s really important to remember that that’s what we were fighting against in World War II.
“I would challenge anyone at home watching: if you’re wearing a poppy, but you’re also blaming immigrants for your problems, maybe have a think about that.”
Crystal posted a clip of the interview on Instagram, writing: “I’d add that a country that cannot properly care for its veterans without charity has no business waging war. Not that anyone should be waging war.”
At the end of last month, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was urged to condemn one of his MPs, Danny Kruger, who said that an “LGBT-supporting” party could win the next election.
That came after Farage said he was unhappy with an “ugly” remark from another Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, who said seeing Black and Asian faces in adverts made her mad. However, he refused to label it racist.
Farage has made immigration a central part of Reform’s platform, and the party does not have the best record when it comes to the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Last year, Crystal successfully sued right-wing activist Laurence Fox for libel and was awarded £90,000 (approximately $118,000) in damages.
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