John Leguizamo defends drag queens and trans people from bans in The Power

John Leguizamo has defended trans women and drag queens against vile protests ahead of his new female-empowered series, The Power. 

On May 31, John stars alongside Toni Collette in the blistering new show The Power, adapted from the Naomi Alderman book of the same name.

The Power follows a long overdue revolution when teenage girls suddenly get the ability to electrocute others by channeling their anger and trauma.

John stars as Rob Cleary-Lopez, a doctor, father of three, and doting husband to Mayor Margot, a determined politician who becomes America’s loudest supporter of a woman’s right to superpowers.

The Power was published in 2016 but in many ways, progression for women hasn’t just stalled, it’s reversed. 

The overturning of Roe versus Wade and misogynistic figures spreading horrifying sexism among teenagers, particularly young men, so easily would have been unthinkable less than a decade ago. 

John Leguizamo is fed up of protestors trying to cancel trans people and drag queens (Picture: Getty Images)

Trans people are never far from being viciously scrutinised and debated and protestors are constantly gathering to try to ban drag queen events. 

John says it’s ‘unfortunate’ The Power is ‘so perfect for our times’.

’It’s unfortunate that we’re living in this world where they’re banning trans people, they’re, they’re banning drag queens, they’re banning Black Studies and Latin studies in America, and taking, you know, women’s choice of their body,’ he told us. 

Protestors gather to try and stop a drag queen storytime event (Picture: Getty)

‘I mean, it’s a crazy time we’re living in. But hopefully, this show helps people look at their lives, and maybe rethink what they’re doing. 

‘That’s the hope.’ 

His co-star Toni agreed: ‘[The Power] is probably even more important now [than when the book was released] 

‘Now it feels like the perfect moment for it to come out because so much of the show is aligned with so much that we’re actually experiencing in the real world.

‘And for those who don’t find it palatable in the real world, it’s done in an entertaining way. You know, it’s sci-fi, and it’s one step removed but it’s kind of grounded in something very recognisable.’

The Power is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video from May 31.