Pura Luka Vega after second arrest: ‘This is purely my expression of my queerness, faith'
After drag artist Pura Luka Vega was arrested for the second time by the Manila Police District on Feb. 29, they continued to stand firm in their belief that they did not do anything wrong.
Vega was arrested on three counts of Violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code concerning section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. They were released on bail on Mar. 1.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, the drag artist said that they applied some learnings from their first arrest during their second one.
“This is purely my expression of my queerness and my faith and there's nothing wrong with that," Vega said. "I hope people would get to see it the way queer people see, drag is never a crime. It's really just an expression and it's a beautiful art form."
Despite the situation, the drag artist also talked about their faith, stating that it has not wavered for them.
"Apart from my family and my friends, hindi naman nag-waver ang paniniwala ko sa Divine Being," they said, adding that they believe God sides with the oppressed, including the LGBTQ+ community.
On Mar. 1, the Drag Den alum thanked their fans as well as their drag sisters who helped organize fundraisings to cover their legal fees.
"I am grateful for those who have supported me and defended me. There can be a hundred people in the room, and 99 don't believe in you, but one does. Masaya na ako doon. #DragisArt #DragIsNotACrime."
Vega was first arrested in October for their controversial Ama Namin performance.