Mama Ru is bringing high speed rail to the United States… kind of.
The queen of drag is about to serve us the transportation infrastructure of our dreams.
RuPaul just announced she’ll star in a fabulous new movie that combines two things America desperately needs: more LGBTQ+ representation and actual working trains.
Variety broke the news that Mama Ru will play ‘President Gagwell’ in an upcoming disaster comedy set on America’s first high-speed train.
The film follows two best-friend attendants who must team up with snooty first-class crew to save their bullet train from a catastrophic “Stormganza” headed for Los Angeles.
A Gay Travel Movie That Actually Gets It Right
“Drag queens in charge of America’s first-ever hyperspeed, transcontinental, non-denominational bullet train. What could possibly go wrong?” said World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.
The film promises a delicious mix of campy disaster flick and queer fantasy. RuPaul even called President Gagwell “the role she was born to play.”
(And if you missed it, RuPaul’s last big screen moment was in the gay travel classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, as drag queen Rachel Tensions.)
The full cast is still secret, but the movie is expected in theaters by 2026.
But here’s the bittersweet part: RuPaul’s fictional ‘Glamazonian Express’ shows us exactly what real America refuses to build.
Why America’s Rail System is an Actual Disaster
Europe boasts 120 times more high-speed rail mileage than the U.S. China has built 500 times more. Meanwhile, Americans are still stuck with transportation that belongs in the 1950s.
Traveling from Houston to Dallas (240 miles) takes over nine hours by train. In Spain, the similar route between Madrid and Valencia takes under two hours.
China’s bullet trains cover the same distance between Beijing and Jinan in just 82 minutes.
Progressives have pushed for modern rail connections like Houston–Dallas and Los Angeles–San Francisco. But these projects keep hitting roadblocks from Republican lawmakers, NIMBYs, and a fascist president who only funds billionaire-friendly schemes.
The Queer Community Deserves Better Transportation
RuPaul’s Glamazonian Express isn’t just camp entertainment—it’s a vision of what travel could look like if America invested in systems that work.
The queer community, which relies on travel to find chosen family and safe spaces, would benefit most from affordable, efficient rail between major cities.
Maybe seeing drag queens run a bullet train will finally shame politicians into building the real thing. Until then, we’ll settle for Mama Ru showing us what fabulous, functional travel could be.
About The Author
Anthony Cifone is the co-founder of GoQueer, a fast-growing LGBTQ+ travel newsletter and media brand dedicated to helping the queer community get the most out of their travels. From insider tips to the latest travel news to the popular Hot 10 Deals list published every Sunday, GoQueer curates everything travelers need to plan unforgettable trips to the most welcoming and vibrant places on the planet.
Through GoQueer, Anthony and his team reach tens of thousands of subscribers and followers every week,
building a global community of LGBTQ+ travelers who want to explore the world.
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