HBO
From the very beginning of Season 1, We’re Here has proven itself to be much more than the typical ‘intervention/let us help you work out your issues’ reality series that litter cable channels like TLC and HGTV (no shade … okay, some shade). Those shows feel much to heavily produced and scripted, often creating an issue that is tidly resolved by the host or hosts on camera and everyone is all smiles by the end of the episode. Sure they’re ‘entertainting’ but to me they lack any authenticity. We’re Here has never felt ‘produced’ (i.e. setting up scenes) and none of the ‘confessional’ part of the show where the Queens or participants are speaking to the camera feel scripted. This is just an authentic portrayal of marginalized people with this huge opportunity to be seen and heard, allowing us on the outside to perhaps sympathize, empathize or connect to the people being profiled, maybe seeing some of them in ourselves, or more likely relating to those on the outside of their lives, not fully understanding how our ignorance of their situation harms them. And that makes the final Season 2 episode all the more urgent in our current political climate. For the first time, all three participants are members of the trans community, a group of people who have become more visible as of late and with that visibility has come more backlash and hatred aimed at them. Sadly, that is no different in Grand Junction, Colorado, perhaps one of the ‘Trumpiest’ towns they’ve visited thus far.
Taylor
Taylor is a trans man, but is more gender non-conforming. His goal is to just be who he wants to be, living his life without feeling the need to limit himself to what society expects him to be. He’s also helped create a safe space where other members of Grand Junction’s large but hidden LGBTQ population can gather. But Taylor has also seen the dark side of Grand Junction with locals threatening violence to the community. He knows that eyes need to be opened.
Angie
Angie is a trans woman who has chosen to live far on the outskirts of Grand Junction in relative isolation with her partner. Angie’s transition has come at a price — the complete disconnect from her family. Going into town is even a chore as the locals go out of their way to avoid her. She’s even felt that she’s had to put her passion of riding dirt bikes on the back burner. Doing this show is completely out of her comfort zone, but this time it’s she who needs to see that there are people in town who support her instead of her trying to open their eyes and hearts.
Dustin
Dustin is a trans man with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Dustin has a good relationship with his mother who has accepted him completely, and both of them acknowledge had he not transitioned, he would not be here today to tell his story. And despite Dustin’s disability, he is an active member of the LGBTQ community and his goal is to dispel the misconceptions people have of those with disabilities.
The Preparation
HBO
I’ve noticed over the course of the season that less and less time is being spent on the preparation portion of the episode. Wig fittings and choreo rehearsals are shorter now, sometimes just part of a larger montage. I think that’s good because it gives us time to get to know the participants better, to hear their stories, to meet their family and friends. Taylor comes off as the most out there and put together of the three participants in this episode, and the extra time allowed for Taylor and Eureka to sit down with the coffee meetup group to discuss the situation for LGBTQ people in Grand Junction, which is sometimes harrowing to hear. Shangela had time to chat with Angie and her partner and got to watch Angie and her BFF ride dirt bikes, the one place where Angie can feel free. Dustin was able to show Bob the Drag Queen more intimate parts of his life at home with his best friend who is also his caretaker, and then visiting with Dustin’s mother. It was great to see Dustin’s reaction to Bob telling him that they were going to perform a song by My Chemical Romance while Dustin was wearing a MCR T-shirt. It was here that Dustin spoke of how the group’s lead singer, Gerard Way, has struggled with gender identity at times and challenged the notions of masculinity on and off the stage. Dustin was beyond excited about the song choice of ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’. One other interesting thing the Queens learned was that Grand Junction actually had a Pride celebration — in the lower level of a parking garage! They got to see Dustin perform and meet his Drag Father, and it was quite an eye=opening experience for them to see that even in an ultra-conservative town like Grand Junction, the LGBTQ community will find a way to thrive. They may be in a parking garage this year, but after this show airs they may find themselves out in the daylight, no longer hidden away like the town’s dirty little secret.
The Show
HBO
While getting into wig and makeup before the show, Bob had a special video message for Dustin … from Gerard Way! How freaking cool is that?! The show, held at the town’s Greyhound bus station, was very well attended and each of the performances was met with cheers and applause. Taylor and Dustin were fearless with their performances, and Angie probably got the most of her time on stage, feeling the energy from the crowd which may make her no longer feel like a pariah who can’t even step foot in Grand Junction without people scurrying away. I hope this experience has boosted her confidence and gets her more active in the community.
The episode closed as a finale should, with our three Queens performing together, leading the crowd on a small march around the bus station with footage of this season’s past participants interspersed throughout the song, performing along. It was just a wonderful, uplifting moment, a beautiful encapsulation of the season, something that gives even the most jaded and cynical of us hope for a better future where we can all just accept people for who they are and live our lives as one community instead of one fragmented into different groups. That really is the message of We’re Here but there is still a lot more work to be done and hopefully HBO will see fit to give us another season so Bob, Shangela and Eureka can continue their good work.
What did you think of the finale? Tell us in the comments section below!
Both seasons of We’re Here are now available to stream on HBO Max.
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I love my Drag Family!!!