Drawing on the universality of love found in all faiths, "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Jackie Cox opened up to ABC's Paula Faris in the latest episode of "Faith Friday" on Instagram to talk about a more-inclusive Islam and where the intersection of pride and faith resides for her.
Jackie, who made headlines in season 12 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" earlier this year for bringing Muslim representation to the runway, is a proud Persian Canadian and told Faris she wants to provide for a more powerful, positive and empowering portrayal of Middle Eastern culture and people through her drag.
"Pride and faith are really about love and respect," Jackie said.
Of the "Stars and Stripes" episode of her season of "RuPaul's Drag Race," when Jackie wore an American flag-inspired hijab, she wrote, "The look was meant to honor my Muslim family and friends and also stand up against the Islamophobia they have faced."
"Freedom of religion only works when people can live without fear of losing their job, hearing racial slurs or worse. I am proud that this runway is opening up conversations around that issue. Though I have sometimes lost faith in the U.S., this moment has given me hope," Jackie added.
Jackie told Faris, "I wanted to stand proud and say, 'Here I am, you can wear this too.'"
"For those who believe in the sacredness of a hijab and why that's important, I wanted them to feel empowered and celebrate that part of themselves as well," Jackie said.
"In drag, we celebrate all different kinds of feminine archetypes or feminine standards of beauty and I think a hijab can be beautiful," Jackie said, adding, "It's important to share that message."
"My drag is certainly a celebration of women."
On the topic of drag, Jackie noted in the "Faith Friday" chat that the most misunderstood thing about drag today, is the conception of it as an identity.
"Drag as a pageantry is a misconception," she said. "Drag is a performance, drag is political and drag is as expressive in almost any way you want it to be."
"I love hearing about people's strong connections to faith and I'm open to it all," Jackie told Faris.
In finding an interfaith common ground with others, "the first step is to respect their existence."
"Love and respect means that you see those who are different from you, who don't come from the same school of belief, who don't necessarily express themselves in the same way than you do."
Watch "Faith Friday" live at "Good Morning America" on Instagram every Friday in June for Pride Month and see more at GoodMorningAmerica.com/PRIDE
