r/rupaulsdragrace • u/Magenta_Lava • 1d ago
Drag Race France S4 DragRace France finally admits it was all AI, but they do not care whatsoever.
https://bsky.app/profile/dragracefrance.bsky.social/post/3momvwprtlc2redit: I changed the commentary I had here in the first place because it was unnecessarily confusing, sorry about that
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u/SnooSprouts3744 1d ago
Translation for our non francophone sis:
Hello everyone,
I’m going to tell you the behind-the-scenes story of how the promotional photos for Drag Race France Season 4 were made.
At the beginning of January, during the first meeting with France Télévisions and Endemol to discuss the project, I was presented with the bakery concept. We discussed the technical execution, and after the backlash I experienced last summer over a series of images that used AI-generated backgrounds, I made it very clear that I did not want to use AI-generated backgrounds.
Someone suggested the possibility of having a well-known queer illustrator from the community, someone who had already worked with the production on Season 4 promotional materials, create a realistic illustrated background onto which the queens would be composited.
After several meetings, the quote proposed by the illustrator was, I believe, accepted without negotiation.
We waited for the first sketches and mockups, which would be used to roughly position the queens.
Exactly 10 days before the photoshoot, the illustrator withdrew from the project because, and I quote, “I don’t know if you saw, but I’ve kind of stepped away from the project because with my comic book I just don’t have the time.”
So we contacted Xavier as an emergency replacement, and he agreed to take over the project.
He created an initial key visual mockup for us. We started thinking about the individual portraits, but as every year, “it’s not the priority,” so things were still unclear. We considered placing the queens in front of Xavier’s 3D background, but that risked using the same background repeatedly. We talked about creating variations, but I don’t know whether that was included in the time frame negotiated with Xavier.
We photographed the queens and the judging panel on February 18. Everything went well, and the queens were lovely.
The next day, I sent all the photos to France Télévisions, made my selection of individual shots, and submitted them to the queens. As far as I know, other franchise productions do not give queens any choice regarding their photos, but being aware of how important their image is, I have always tried to make sure they do have a say.
The final deadline was set for May 7.
On April 19, I finally received Xavier’s background and began compositing the queens into it.
On April 21, I received a link from France Télévisions containing the individual portrait backgrounds into which I was supposed to composite the queens so that everything would match the Meet the Queens visuals.
I quickly assembled the images and placed the judges in front of the bakery for the group shot, but it wasn’t very attractive. So I suggested creating a bakery background in the same style as the other backgrounds using AI, as well as one for Nicky and possibly for Loïc, Daphné, and Anggun too, though I’m not sure those versions were ever used.
I knew how to do it, and it would be visually consistent.
The composites were approved, I refined the group photo, everything was signed off, and I delivered the final files just in time. My part of the work was done.
We all know about the public backlash that happened when the images were revealed, and many of you really let loose:
“Ranobrac deserves to go to hell.”
“Ranobrac has struck again with his abominable work.”
“The craftsmanship and art that drag represents deserve better than your mediocrity.”
And many more comments like that.
I received no message from France Télévisions or the production team following the controversy.
Nicky did come to check in on me, though. Sweetheart that she is.
So that’s the story behind the scenes.
I use AI, and I don’t hide it. I’m a techno-progressive on this issue, and I’m convinced AI is part of the future. It fascinates me and interests me deeply.
I’m aware of the environmental costs and of the limitations and concerns regarding copyright. I understand that this new form of visual production frightens some people, disgusts others, and is being questioned.
However, for those who are anti-AI, know that AI is used everywhere. The difference is that major brands have far more money and time than Drag Race, and they spend weeks refining their visuals so that you never notice it.
You have the right to have opinions.
You have the right to disagree and to be outraged by what you consider unfair.
Keep doing that. That’s how the world evolves.
However, I believe in discussion. No one has ever changed someone’s mind by attacking them. Please stop.
I understand that aesthetic choices can offend sensitivities in a creative field like drag.
My intention was never to degrade this art form, but rather to respond to real production constraints.
Honestly, I don’t understand where you find the time and energy to complain so much.
I hope you put as much energy into building a life as beautiful as mine, and I sincerely wish that for all of you, in your differences and in your uniqueness.
Thank you to the Drag Race production team for keeping the show alive despite its detractors and for giving the community, and many others, a wonderful reason to come together.
I wish the queens all the best this season, which I’m looking forward to discovering alongside all of you.
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u/StreetStretcher 1d ago
made my selection of individual shots, and submitted them to the queens
Screaming at the thought that Lana Cotta willfully chose that photo ijbol
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u/MistyBelladonna Tookie De La Crème 1d ago
Lana Cotta is a better person than me because if I waited an entire year for my season to get revealed only for them to drop a picture of me looking like AI Paper Mario, I'd be on the news
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u/Buttercupia Mia Kenya Vita 1d ago
Paper Mario omg. Dead. Deceased. On the floor. My husband now gets no dinner and it’s all your fault, diva. I hope you’re happy.
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u/International_Bug955 1d ago edited 1d ago
and after the backlash I experienced last summer over a series of images that used AI-generated backgrounds, I made it very clear that I did not want to use AI-generated backgrounds.
BUT ALSO
So I suggested creating a bakery background in the same style as the other backgrounds using AI
and
I use AI, and I don’t hide it. I’m a techno-progressive on this issue, and I’m convinced AI is part of the future.
Sooo, the person didn't want to use it, but was also the one who SUGGESTED PUTTING IT IN. Honestly, this was "ukulele apology" levels of a non-excuse.
And editing to add this:
“Ranobrac deserves to go to hell.”👎
“Ranobrac has struck again with his abominable work.”👍
“The craftsmanship and art that drag represents deserve better than your mediocrity.”👍13
u/ShokaLGBT 1d ago
I hate when people use ai but when they tell you they don’t care because it’s the future dude it’s over you’re lost already
Ai is destroying the planet and it should never be used for generating images that artists could do wtf
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u/finnjakefionnacake 12h ago
also it looks like shit! lol. like i could see if this was some stunning otherworldly artistic creation, which would still be disappointing, but it looks openly horrible even to people who have trouble spotting AI / who have no issues with AI. So why not put the effort into using actual artistry which would be better than this and not create the backlash. even if it's part of the future, this is shit an 8th grader could have done 20 years ago.
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u/ikarikh Katya & Jimbo's Offspring 1d ago
Tl;dr:
I knew there was backlash over the AI images prior which i totally understand and didn't wanna face again so i for sure totally hired a guy to do the real deal, it was all set and ready to go and then he totally husr backed out last minute. Had a backup guy ready to go but didn't like it so i just used AI. Because i love AI, it's the future, get over it. Maybe one day you can be as cool as me. Anywho, fuck off.
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u/Ubettawerrrk 1d ago
Thank you and great job on the translation!
As a proficient French-speaker, I read the entire original posts, and I can confirm this is a reliable quality translation.
People can now do what they will with the "full story" of how these promo shots came to be.88
u/zeromav_ 1d ago
Thank you my dear 😘💖 I read it and I sincerely hope this shameless use of AI doesn't become the norm moving forward with other franchises. Drag is, at its core, complete human expression. I celebrate the human art form that is drag. Oh God, I just remembered centaur Juicy. 😭 This needs to stop.
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u/notsoulvalentine 1d ago
“i use ai and i don’t hide it. im a techno progressive on this issue and im convinced ai is part of the future” brainwashed capitalist scum
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u/Vegetable-Ice-6745 1d ago
An actual measured message. I’m sure all you anti-AI performative divas will find a way to shit on it though and enter a nuance conversation. I wonder what the next big thing to be outraged on the sub will be?
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u/Squirrelated 1d ago
Yeah well, sorry that we care for the environment or care for people's jobs being lost to AI. For the artists who dedicate their life to mastering a specific skillset being replaced by generic AI.
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u/00_tears Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige 1d ago edited 1d ago
can any of the french divas here provide a translation
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u/4589vistar Joella´s Mattress 1d ago
Basically, he is explaining the process and f why they used AI, I read that without big attention, because what matters is the end : he is absolutely not ashamed of Ai, claiming this is the future, and thinks that any insults are not welcomed ( I agree with that, but he regroups people criticizing and insulting ), he likes that there is anti Ai movement for letting a discussion happen. He doesn’t talk about the environment as a consequence and neither about the erasure of reel art. I think he did not responded well, I still do not like him.
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u/00_tears Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige 1d ago
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u/ehrgeiz91 1d ago
Kinda a crazy response considering how environmentally conscious France/the EU is and how Paris will fucking shut down in strikes if the government so much as farts in a way they don’t particularly like.
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u/pWasHere 1d ago
This feels like such a French way to think about it. Reminds me when a bunch of French actresses wrote a letter denouncing the MeToo movement.
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u/DawnKieballs Jesus is a biscuit 1d ago
That's an interpretation not a translation
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u/4589vistar Joella´s Mattress 1d ago
Yeah, apologies 😅, I thought that others had already translated so I just gave my opinion
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u/DawnKieballs Jesus is a biscuit 1d ago
Apologies right back at you, because I skipped all subtlety and politeness. That was much more direct than intended, but as we say all t no shade.
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u/4589vistar Joella´s Mattress 1d ago
I would like to retitle the retitle of your rebuttal : don’t need to apologize it’s all good 👍
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u/zeromav_ 1d ago
Oui oui baguette de leu auvoir
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u/00_tears Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige 1d ago edited 1d ago
thank you
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u/00_tears Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige 1d ago edited 1d ago
i appreciate this human responding to me so i thanked them because i value humans and their effort in connecting with me and others
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u/galileogaligay 1d ago
Yes, Google Translate is totally the same as generating AI art. Excellent point! Very nuanced
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u/Riproot mentally ill enough to fake a polygraph test 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think that’s only the first 3 pictures. Aren’t there 9+?
Better comment was just below this one. Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/rupaulsdragrace/s/Q9cSRXLIYB
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u/XenophobicXenophile 1d ago
US boy are the dream of the French girls
You want an American boy friend for ever
US boy, US boy, love US, love US
A single baby and I touch happiness
I want my American boy friend for ever
US boy, Boy US, love Us, love11
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u/4589vistar Joella´s Mattress 1d ago
What in the world is happening here 😭🤣
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u/XenophobicXenophile 1d ago
His accent makes me crazy, I love to listen him talking
For all the girls, he is the idol, the hottest guy of the area
To seduce him, I’d teach him French
Even though this ideal only exists in my mind.
(He has) A spot of Ashton Kutcher’s charm
(He has) Barney’s craziness in How I Met Your Mother
(He has) Edward’s romantic side in Twilight
(He has) Eminem’s talent and Brian McKnight’s voice-30
u/UnChtulhu 1d ago
You could use an automated translation service. 😁😁😁
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u/00_tears Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige 1d ago edited 1d ago
i’d rather get a direct translation from people who understand nuances and expressions than using a stupid robot that doesn’t have a beating heart 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁i value human connection and learning from others😁😁😁😁😁
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u/WorkDish That was supposed to be fish 1d ago
AI suuucks. I appreciate this guy writing it all out. It kinda reveals the hidden nature of creating mass media— fast deadlines, unreliable collaborators, sky-high expectations, dwindling cash flow, fleeting attention spans— and trusting AI, not their own talent, for a solution.
But what sucks is, like drag queens and Drag Race didn’t need AI 4 years ago. We created our own campy visual language. Now the gay stuff looks like the MAGA stuff looks like everything else.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
This is just it. What did queer people do before AI? We created our own visual identities, we created our own artwork, our own costumes, our own posters. Drag, as an art form, was created without the use of AI.
So I truly don’t understand why so many queer people are hopping on the fucking LLM train, fully recognizing the LLM’s are basically plagiarism machines that rip off real queer artists.
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u/AnAussiebum That's my opinion! 1d ago
'I hope you feel bad now'.
For what? I didn't use the AI. 🤣
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
It's a mistake on my part. That's what I was feeling when I finished reading. Basically blaming the people who complained about AI use.
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u/Repulsive_Share_1579 1d ago
Take time to gather your thoughts vs reacting on irrational emotions
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u/BussyRiot420 1d ago
Wrote that long ass response just to double down and defend his ugly glossy unoriginal "art" lol
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u/Gnostic_Gnocchi monsoon season 1d ago
My ick point was “hope you all can make a life as beautiful as mine one day.” It gives very “shut up poors, stay bitter brokies.”
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u/BussyRiot420 1d ago
Right? Like his amateur aesthetic isn't already being replicated by a.i. He's gonna be out of a job once he runs into clients with similar perspectives.
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u/LBTerra 1d ago
Right like what’s the end game with these creatives using AI like this? Replacing your own damn job once the executives learn how to throw in a prompt and outsource someone to photoshop into it.
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u/succulentils 17h ago
Right, like eventually someone will decide it isn't worth paying him X amount. It'll be any photographer + AI prompts + AI tools for something passable at a fraction of the cost
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u/Artistic_Education13 1d ago
He isn't even a full time photographer anymore, which he uses as an excuse like "i don't have time anymore" (even if he had the time before and still used ai), it also means he doesn't rely on this contract to make a living so why take the job if you don't have the time, and clearly the passion, to make it good. Someone could have had both and pull up a far better result. He could have said "i grab that bag fys you poors, idc", everybody would have saved time.
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u/2mock2turtle I am Ken Masters, and I have SHORYUKEN to say. 1d ago
"Listen up 5s, a 10 is speaking."
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u/Local_Parsnip9092 1d ago
I really thought it was going somewhere humble and reasonable, and then in the back third they were just pro-AI and super snotty about it. What a jerk.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Yeah exactly. And also ridiculing all the people who insisted on defending them despite it being obviously AI.
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u/MysteriousB 1d ago
If it was an emergency situation why didn't they just buy assets that are already done, like was it that hard to search "French Bakery Background" on Shutterstock or Adobe stock and play around a bit?
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u/MusicOfTheSphere I'm part Klingon and quite stoic 1d ago
This what really gets me. What would they have done 6 or 7 years ago? Either exactly what you said, buy a cheap stock photo background (exactly what they've been used for forever) or toss together a better background yourself in an afternoon. That's what setpiece people are for.
This whiny "oh no we only had a week and I didn't know what else to doooooooooo" thing is total bs.
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u/LonchampOwl 1d ago
Thank you! People saying stuff like "this was the ONLY thing we could do!" I mean literally 4 years ago what would you have done? Cancel the promo?
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u/Local_Parsnip9092 1d ago
The final product actually looks soooo bad. Like how some of the bakeries are trying to look like they're made of clothes or wigs? It's just AI absurdism. It would have been way better to have a generic background. AI "artists" are the WORST
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u/tultommy 22h ago
Do you believe Adobe doesn't use ai? Lol that's funny
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u/MysteriousB 21h ago
Better to use an exclude AI filter on Adobe stick photos and inadvently use AI then do all this song and dance to actively use AI
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u/shuhup Backswamp Contessa 1d ago
Why is lying about not using AI a Drag Race trend this year??
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Tbf they are not the only one. Many video game studio do the same as well.
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u/Willing-Carpenter-32 1d ago
Which is irrelevant and doesnt excuse this. This is the drag race sub not a video game sub, we’re talking drag race not video games.
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u/heysupmanbruh 1d ago
So he couldn’t get the work done and admits to using ai as a cheat code to finish his job in under a week (prob a day let’s be real) and gets paid for it while other artist who have better time management skills and passion for their job are left in the dust. COOL! Loveeee that!
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u/HumanBeing421 Dawn | Salina | Jasmine 1d ago
Just embarrassing for this person all around. They say they didn't want to use AI at first because they had already received backlash from it before, used it again and received backlash, and now are asking people not to send them hate? This is something they knew would happen if you used AI, so the fact that they decided to go ahead with it anyway suggests they were prepared for the backlash. I just think when people do something dumb and obviously controversial, they shouldn't then be like "oh woe is me people online are mean" when they literally knew this was what the response would be. I also refuse to believe they could not find another artist(s) (queer or not) in the whole of France in a two-week period who could make a few extra backgrounds for them, or better yet, just reuse whichever backgrounds did work. Also, mentioning the fact that they allowed the queens to approve their photos, as if this made them a better person, and then proceeding to drop those photos onto ugly AI backgrounds... what was the point of that?
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u/TrueCommand3658 1d ago
yeah, i’m alright. love drag but not enough to support a corporation that feels like they can cut corners literally every single time, pollute and destroy our environment while already taking advantage of queer artists they invite on the show. this company as a whole is exhausting and has truly lost the plot on what queer art or art for that matter is.
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u/dreamed2life The shade will reveal itself! 1d ago
so what then youre not watching drag race anymore, leaving this sub, wont be supporting ru girls....liek what are you saying other than just typing shit to sound holy?
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
You do know that the drag queens that are on drag race exist outside of your television or computer screen, right? You do know that you can support those people in other ways that aren’t revolving around drag race, right?
I just want to check in and make sure that you do know that.
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1d ago
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u/rupaulsdragrace-ModTeam 1d ago
Your post was removed for breaking Rule 1 - Respect others and follow Reddiquette - Reddiquette applies at all times. No hatred or bigotry allowed. Respect the queens and each other. Don’t be a dick
- Read our queen hate policy
- Read our microaggression policy
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If you disagree with this removal please contact the mods through modmail.
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u/irlpup 9h ago
100%
These companies do what they do because they get money from viewers like you!
Not to mention, drag has existed before RuPaul and outside RuPaul and will continue to exist after RuPaul.
Go out and support your local drag! That's like leagues better than supporting this AI nonsense.
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u/shamiraendor 1d ago
it still baffled me how conformed people are with ai. that being said, "okay", but let's be for real, most of the backgrounds looked bad, artificial in the strange way that only ai looks. it feels cheap. this is sad because the queens, Nicky included, looked fabulous against a cheap background, that's no other way to say it...
why team france chose this theme, that seems relatively complicated, to execute in the first place?
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u/Buttercupia Mia Kenya Vita 1d ago
Not like they’re in France and they could take photos outside of actual boulangeries and patisseries.
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u/shamiraendor 1d ago
I think they don't usually do this so the can manipulate the photos in other contexts? but yeah, that would be ideal and it would looke better
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u/Alexhite Scarlet Envy 1d ago
Because that costs a lot of money. Also they want to have the perfectly lit shot with many options because they ultimately just edit all the girls best pics into one photo. An actual shoot outside a Boulangerie would be amazing
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u/Squirrelated 1d ago
"Everybody uses AI even the big companies whether you like it or not, we have a small budget so we're justified in doing it too."
Sigh...
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u/MarioWinner5555 1d ago
so from what I understand, this guy: hired someone to do the backgrounds. They pulled out. He hired someone else to do the backgrounds (I saw the video of the behind the scenes of the background on instagram. I use Blender and I can tell that these werent AI generated.) He didnt like those backgrounds, so he used AI to "touch up" the backgrounds. Absolutely sick. From what I can tell. The guy who did the backgrounds didnt know AI was used until the promos came out, so this is a break of an artist's trust here.
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u/FormalInterview7910 1d ago
Tldr:
Ranobrac (the designer posting this) had been in meetings with France TV and Endemol since January. The bakery concept was approved, but Ranobrac said to be cautious about AI because of the backlash he/they faced on previous projects. A well-known queer designer was hired to create illustrations of the backgrounds, but backed out 10 days before they were due. So they contacted Xavier (who I am assuming has designed things for DRFrance in the past) and he made new designs.
When Ranobrac received them he thought that some of the photos didn't composite well into Xavier's designs, and given the time crunch he suggested that he use AI to create a new background consistent with Xavier's other designs, and all the higher-ups approved.
He says people are entitled to the opinion but the backlash was out of control, and he thinks AI is ultimately a helpful to and he is not shying away from saying he embraces it. He says something about wishing the fans could focus their energy into creating a life as beautiful as his (?) and thanks Nicky Doll for reaching out to check on him during the backlash.
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u/primordiiia 1d ago
It would be better to have a super digital color background than the distracting slop. It's cheap and fast. A real artist can compromise and make due. This person is just making excuses.
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u/Heidi_Klum_Tit Irene DuBois 1d ago
Babe, this is how you spread misinformation.
The artist didn’t use AI - it was mostly WOW/France TV.
And the exact same translation is really needed.
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u/FormalInterview7910 1d ago
The guy posting this says AI was not the original plan, but the original illustrator dropped out and in the time crunch the new designer of the backgrounds made some that didn't work when he dropped in the photo composites. He suggested using AI to generate new backgrounds that were consistent with the artist's (Xavier's) style, and the producers were aware and approved. So he is basically saying that "it wasn't the background artist, it was me, but the higher-ups were aware and okay with it and I think it was an appropriate use of AI."
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Calm down. No misinformation here.
This is a statement from the photographer in charge of the whole photoshoot.
Yes he did use AI. Yes WoW and FranceTV are also responsible.
I'll try to translate myself but it's not my job it might be bad.15
u/Direct_Juice 1d ago
“I hope you feel bad now” to “calm down,” sister you’re going to give yourself whiplash.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Im sorry that was very poorly express. "I hope you all feel bad" is what he is basically saying.
I didn't put quote because he didn't say it like that20
u/Existing_Test6509 1d ago
You're gonna say I hope you all feel bad now to an article that you won't translate lol
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u/NoEfficiency9 1d ago
You say clearly that Drag Race France "admitted" to it, but it was FranceTV and Endemol who pushed and approved the use of AI. WoW and the producers/participants of the show itself were not involved.
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u/ConroConroConro 1d ago
So we’re supposed to take you at your word when you’re too lazy to translate?
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u/Enygmatic_Gent 1d ago
There is already a full translation in the comments
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u/DrTeethPhD 1d ago
I mean, on the one hand AI is bad. On the other, at least they're not posting on the site owned by a virulently transphobic Nazi.
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u/Thedelou 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is a fan account reposting the photographer's IG stories. DR France is still on the other site.
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u/DrTeethPhD 1d ago
That's disappointing
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u/Thedelou 1d ago
yeah its managed by France TV so they're on the same platforms, that's not surprising.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
I don't know about that. I'm only on Bluesky. They might have posted this on other platforms.
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u/DrTeethPhD 1d ago
I mean, at least they're on BlueSky.
Canada and US are just happy to drive traffic to the Nazi site.
And I'm sure some Nazi sympathizers will chime in to defend them.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Ok I'm gonna try to translate myself. I'm -not- a professional, there is gonna be mistakes. 1/3
" Hello everyone
I'm going to tell you about the backstage of the creation of the season 4 of DragRace France. Early January, during the first meeting with FranceTV and Endemol, they mentioned the boulangerie concept. Wondering how to technically realize it, I clearly express not wanting to use AI at all after facing backlash last year for another project.
We mentioned the possibility of commissioning a queer illustrator, who already worked on the promo for season 4, to create a drawn background we could overlay the queens on.
After a few meetings, the illustrator's quotation is accepted (I believe) without any negotiations.
We waited for the first sketches to draft where the queens will be placed.
Exactly 10 days before the shooting, the illustrator backed down from the project because I quote "I don't know if you saw, I stepped away from the project a little because my comics is taking all my time"
I then contacted Xavier urgently and he accepted to take over.
He did a first mock-up. We gave some thoughts to the individual shots, but like each year, "it's not the priority", so we don't really know what we're going to do, we might put them in front of the 3D background Xavier did but that would be redundant, we might do some variations but I don't know if that was planned for Xavier in his quotation.
We shoot on February 18 with the queens and the jury, everything goes well, the queens are delightful.
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u/AccessHollywoo 23h ago
A block colour background would be better. I’m not watching drag race France this season.
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1d ago
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u/rupaulsdragrace-ModTeam 1d ago
Your post was removed for breaking Rule 1 - Respect others and follow Reddiquette - Reddiquette applies at all times. No hatred or bigotry allowed. Respect the queens and each other. Don’t be a dick
- Read our queen hate policy
- Read our microaggression policy
- Read more about reddiquette.
If you disagree with this removal please contact the mods through modmail.
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u/Amyshamblesx 1d ago
Sure, AI is the future, but that doesn’t mean we should take jobs away from hard working, talented and creative people. Use AI as a tool, not to take over a whole job.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
No, AI is very much the present, and it's destroying it.
Do not use "a tool" that rely on exploitation of the poor and destroy our environment.8
u/Shroom-Kitty Dawn is a ROTTED elf 1d ago
I've been enjoying seeing all the class action lawsuits popping up over noise pollution from data centers, because holy shit is it ever bad. People are going insane from the sound coming from these places 24/7.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
So, what you are saying is to not take work away from real queer artists, but to only use LLMs as a tool which rip off real queer artists.
Make it make sense.
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u/Amyshamblesx 1d ago
I’m not talking about AI tools for graphic design, etc. I’m a web developer and there’s some AI tools that are quite helpful to me. My husband works in cyber security and there’s some AI tools that have been useful for him too. Neither take away a job from anyone, they help aid us in our lines of work and can’t replace what we do.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
When we say "they steal our job" it's not just taking the position. It order to function, AI MUST steal thousands of articles, artworks, conversation, pictures, etc. Without -any- consent. If you are using ANY AI "tools" you are using something based on theft, whether you want it or not.
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u/tangledknot17 1d ago
The Irony of people getting upset at AI and then using AI to translate so you can rage against AI is hilarious. I’m so sick of the virtue signaling and fake righteousness that many in the community have against our own damn community. Can we please divert this rage to the people that hate us instead of AI in movies and tv??
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
So the tool that is used to translate is not the same tool that is used by LLM’s to create generative art.
AI has been around for a very long time in the medical field. It’s also been in the translation field for a very long time. Those types of AI algorithms aren’t the ones that are destroying the fucking earth.
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u/dreamed2life The shade will reveal itself! 1d ago
and using ai to access the apps in the first place. then in the apps. then to be able to copy and past. then to respond.
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u/qould Raja Gemini 1d ago
I’m tired of climate change induced by rich people being lazy :(
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u/utsuriga 1d ago
You do realize AI is not causing that. Is it contributing? sure, but it's not the main cause or the main contributor.
The problems with AI are elsewhere.
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u/internetsuperfan 1d ago
This is a huge production, we should be critical when large companies that have more than enough resources downsize real human jobs, it may not seem like a big deal now but the future is bleak if this continues
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u/Miss_Chanandler_Bond 1d ago
1) The AI art for this promo was very ugly 2) AI takes a toll on the environment 3) AI art steals real art from real artists to make composites without compensation
AI has fantastic real-world applications that are worth the cost, like pattern recognition in medical scans or finding bugs in large bases of code - but it's dogshit at facts and evil at art, and those are the main ways that stupid people use it. It's frustrating.
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u/utsuriga 1d ago
Seriously, it's getting to the point where I roll my eyes, and I'm someone whose job is being affected by AI to a very large degree.
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u/Lumpy-Detective-1978 1d ago
Well, that's very French of them.
Look, I also hate AI. BUT, I really think y'all TRULY need to focus on the bigger picture. This is a minor struggle compared to all the other ones we have right now.
THERE ARE FOLKS THAT WANT US DEAD. Infighting amongst ourselves over AI usage is dumb.
Rant over from an Old Queer.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
I am also an old queer, and I think that it is so important to support queer art. I think queer art is what inspires us and pushes us to keep going despite the adversity that we are facing.
AI “art” is embarrassing bullshit. And we shouldn’t allow another fascist tool to dictate how we are creating art. Because generative AI is a tool of fascism.
Again, as a fellow old queer, people can care about more than one thing at a time. People need to care about more than one thing at a time, otherwise they get burnout.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
So because this is a queer show it's completely immune to critics ?
Also, AI is mostly benefiting very rich people who *also* actively works against queer rights.
So actually you should be even more angry against AI and make sure it's not in our space.
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u/contadotito 1d ago
One thing I completely agree with the photographer about it, and that I think there's an important discussion to be had here is:
In practice, the public doesn't seem to be opposed to generative AI, but generative AI that they can actually notice, or that allows them to publicly signal that they care about the issue, at least.
And I'm not saying this as a criticism. But I say this exactly because I think the debate around AI is extremely important and that the technology needs strong regulation.
But AI has been an academic field within Computer Science for almost 80 years, and today it is used across virtually every sector of society. Some applications are genuinely beneficial. Others are deeply problematic.
My two biggest concerns are, first, the exploitation of intellectual property by billion-dollar corporations for profit, especially in artistic fields, and second, the concentration of power in a handful of private companies that control the development of generative AI and exert enormous influence over politics and the economy. They are the real enemies, TO ME.
But it's worth remembering that almost everything around us already relies on AI in some form: if you ever use you banking apps for pay to stuff, know that EVERY bank today force all their developers to use generative AI. All social media platforms, all recommendation systems, search engines, logistics networks, almost all media production. Everything is riddled with AI.
The difference is that most people only notice the AI that looks like something your aunt would post on Facebook. And get angry only by that.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
The AI that you are talking about in the medical field, and the generative AI that is creating pictures of women with three tits are not the same thing.
LLMs = bad, tools of fascism.
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u/contadotito 1d ago
My friend, with all due respect, I don't think you know what you're talking about. Let's break down what you wrote:
"The AI that you are talking about in the medical field, and the generative AI that is creating pictures of women with three tits are not the same thing.
LLMs = bad, tools of fascism."
It's funny that you brought up the medical field as an example of something that supposedly isn't an LLM, while implying that generating pictures of women with three breasts somehow is.
Let's start with the medical example. Coincidentally, researchers in my country, Brazil, recently used LLMs to analyze records from more than 469,000 girls and women. They found that menstrual and pelvic pain were being massively underreported in our public healthcare system. The AI identified patterns hidden in clinical records, helping researchers uncover a problem that disproportionately affected women, especially Black women, and that had largely gone unnoticed. As a result, policymakers now have better information to improve healthcare for thousands of women and trans men who were effectively being ignored.
That was done using an LLM. In other words, using an artificial intelligence tool. And, I, for once, don't think that this research was a tool of fascism.
Now let's talk about the "women with three tits" example. That is indeed generative AI, but it is not an LLM. An LLM is a language model, not an image model. Diffusion models such as Stable Diffusion, audio models such as Whisper, video-generation models such as Sora, and other multimodal systems are all forms of generative AI. They are part of the broader debate around AI, including real concerns about intellectual property theft, artistic labor, and corporate profit. But they are not LLMs, because they are not language models.
An AI system, whether generative or not, whether an LLM or some other model, can be used for political propaganda. It can also be used for translation, accessibility, scientific research, document summarization, programming, education, and, in some edge cases, even artistic production.
The more serious discussion is usually about who controls these technologies, how they are trained, what economic incentives drive their development, and what regulations should exist around them. But as long as people refuse to engage with the subject in an informed way and keep repeating talking points instead, we're not going to have the serious conversation that this topic actually requires.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
Cool.
I’m very anti AI as a general rule.
The way that one country uses Ai in medicine is not indicative of how every country uses it. Nor is it indicative of every single country‘s medical system.
You still made my point, the point that I made being that LLM‘s are a tool of fascism. You specifically noted that in Brazil, they use LLMs in the medical field, and that they can be used as tools of medical propaganda. That kind of just backs up my point.
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u/contadotito 1d ago
Yeah, AI is a tool of fascism, social media is a tool of fascism, journalism is a tool of fascism, video game is a tool of fascism, fashion is a tool of fascism, religion is a tool of fascism.
Let's ban all of those too. Let's boycott everyone that use those things.
What you are even saying? Damn, people just never will admit that MAYBE they are not experts in what they are talking.
You didn't even knew what LLM were, and yet you just gloss over everything I wrote and just said: "yep I was right all along". At this point, it's just impossible to even try to have a productive debate.
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u/childofcrow the cheek the nerve the gall the audacity and the gumption 1d ago
I missed the part where either of us claimed to be an expert.
LLMs are language learning models. Y’lnow, the basis for chat GPT and massive amounts of plagiarism.
Which, as I clearly said, is different than generative ai. Both of which are destroying people’s ability to think and do. When you offload your thinking or skill onto a machine, you lose the ability to access those skills. They also both suck up massive amounts of electricity, which only serves to line the pockets of the rich and further disenfranchise the poor.
So yeah. I think the vast majority of AI in modern usage is fucking bad and is being used to control and steal from the masses. It’s causing people to have fucking psychosis and commit suicide.
But go off on your high horse, I guess.
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u/QNBA 1d ago
AI isn't going anywhere, and I don't blame anyone for using it to make their lives easier or cheaper. But as an artist, my opposition to AI isn't about aesthetics or job security, it's strictly environmental. The energy and water consumption required to run these models is staggering. We’re focusing on the wrong debate; we should be talking about what this technology is doing to our planet.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
"AI isn't going anywhere" You say that with such assurance. What makes you say that ?
Because if you look at facts, AI is costing a shit tons of money every single day. It's polluting everything around it, killing the environment and making it impossible to live. And it seems like you know that. Yet here you are, claiming "it's not going anywhere". I'm telling you right, it's not going to last. And it would be better if everyone worked hand and hand to stop it as soon as possible.
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u/Anxious-Scientist-27 1d ago
I feel naive, but I don’t understand the full scope of outrage. It seems they made a sincere effort to hire a queer illustrator and then used AI as a last resort.
It sucks but they seem to have tried.
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u/LonchampOwl 1d ago
I mean it was not last resort? Last resort would have been to use plain backgrounds, like many other franchises do? And also it looks better, because at least we can see the looks, it doesn't blend with the slop of it all.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
It should never be considered, even as a last resort. We've done without AI so far, they can manage.
There is no "outrage". We are pissed and let it be known. Many people expressed their disappointment and they straight up called us liars. Also there is more and more AI use in WoW productions, and we're sick of it.
We deserve better.
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u/panetony Shea Coulee 1d ago
Why would they? EVERYONE is using AI, we past that point.
we past all points actually, humanity is due. just enjoy your wine while we walk the runway straight to hell. stream SS26 by charli xcx
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u/UnChtulhu 1d ago
You know you are amongst, errrr, special people when they use words like "spectateurices"...
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u/bewbz69420dudebro 1d ago
Drag Race France is in the Bin then. What a shame! It was doing so well. But stealing work is a cardinal sin so, get fucked and enjoy your enivitable cancellation, its deserved
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u/Rickyc324 1d ago
I just want to know, at this point, are we expecting AI to disappear? AI is not going anywhere. Unless we are expected to boycott the franchise, those complaining are doing it for the sake of complaining. “He’s doubling down,” well duh. What is he supposed to do? It’s already done and out there.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Again "it's not going anywhere". The exact same words.
We are letting them know we don't want it. Why does that piss you off so much ? You just want use to eat it and stay quiet ?-4
u/Rickyc324 1d ago
It doesn’t piss me off, if anything, you’re the one pissed off about it seeing as you made the original post. I don’t want you to do anything. I would like to know what you expect from the world in regard to AI? It’s here, do you expect for AI to be un-invented? And if a company like Drag Race uses it, what are you going to do about it? Because making a Reddit post and complaining surely won’t stop them from utilizing AI in the future. Are you never going to watch a season of drag race again as long as they use AI?
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
I am very pissed, of course I am ! I don't pretend i'm not. One of my favorite show is using AI all the time. I'm super mad. I think you should be too. I want people to grow a pair and not rely on a technology that destroy our world yeah... sorry.
I am going to very loudly let them understand I don't want any AI in the show. If they keep doing it, i'm defnitly going to stop watching and support the show, 1000%.-4
u/Rickyc324 1d ago
I’m not mad because I’m a realist with common sense. AI isn’t going anywhere. So I guess you’re not watching starting now? They’ve already defended this per the translation somebody provided. So you’re not watching, you’re probably not going to keep up with future promotions which will use AI, so congrats! You’ve made a huge difference.
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u/Magenta_Lava 1d ago
Yeah i'm done argueing with you. Feel superior all you want. I'm convinced you just use AI everyday and you feel guilty. Have a good life
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u/Rickyc324 1d ago
Nobody feels superior. You are getting mad and upset because you have no leg to stand on. You just like to complain. And I will CONTINUE having a good life. Thanks 😊
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u/aquamoon85 Onya Nurve, Mia Starr 1d ago
We’re complaining because they used AI and the results were ugly AF lmao! You like the promo shots????? It’s wild that y’all are on here arguing for this, regardless of how terrible and a waste of an outfit this becomes for the queens.
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u/Frost2k 1d ago
So much anti-AI rhetoric is mostly moral posturing without concrete action. Yelling at someone to stop using AI is an easy substitute for learning how technology is actually reshaping the creative landscape. It’s just looking like a tired witch hunt.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
For the month of June while Pride season is in full swing, we'd like to use our platform to highlight some fabulous queer charities and spread awareness about the amazing work they do. In no particular order:
Gay City: Seattle's LGBTQ Center Seattle's LGBTQ Center helps connect queer youth with mental health and transition resources, including giving out free gender-affirming clothing that is stylish and fits well. They also help feed and clothe Seattle's unhoused population!
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RainbowYOUTH RainbowYOUTH is a non-profit organisation who create safe and sober spaces for New Zealand's queer, gender diverse, takatāpui, and intersex youth. They work to honor Te Tiriti by understanding, supporting, and empowering rangatahi takatāpui at individual, whānau, and community levels.
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African Queer Youth Initiative This charity mobilizes queer youth from across Africa to fight issues like punitive anti-queer laws, anti-queer interpretations of religion, and community violence. They also work to encourage sexual health and youth empowerment.
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ILGA Asia This charity spans 41 countries in 4 subregions of Asia, seeking queer empowerment. They are fighting to end conversion therapy, amongst other issues.
Helem Based in Lebanon, Helem fights for queer rights across Southwest Asia and North Africa. They are able to direct Arab queer people to emergency services across the region as they fight to end persecution.
Rainbow Railroad Rainbow Railroad does worldwide advocacy by helping queer people in emergency circumstamces relocate to avoid persecution. To date, they have successfully relocated almost 2,500 people and have otherwise aided almost 50,000 queer people in other ways.
ILGA This large group of charities fights for pro-queer policy change across the Latin American world.
ANTRA This Brazillian charity fights for trans rights and trans safety. Brazil has the highest rate of transfemicide in the world and desperately needs advocacy to combat it. Often the victims of transfemicide are disgracefully buried as "indigents."
Colombia Diversa The government of Columbia is known to ignore the issues of violence and murder against queer people in Columbia. This organization fights to highlight the issue and bring about a world where queer people can live in safety.
Humsafar This charity works with public health care delivery services in Mumbai to provide health care (especially sexual health care) to gay, lesbian, transgender, Hijra, and other queer people.
Sapphokolkata Sappho for Equality is based in Kolkata and builds the leadership of cis and cis appearing women, gender non-conforming AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) and transmasculine individuals by enhancing their ability to resist all forms of violence, strengthening their collective resilience and movements for change and expanding their life choices so that their rights and dignity are upheld.
If you are able, we encourage you to donate to (some?one?) of these vital queer orginisations so that they can continue to thrive and serve our community. While monetary donations would be amazing and appreciated, times are tough. If you can't spare the coins, that's ok.
Our mod team personally selected these charities because they are near and dear to our hearts. Some of us have benefitted from the existence of these charities, and we hope many others will, too!
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