Guillermo Barraza’s Drag Persona Amplifies LGBTQ+ Visibility on Mexican TV

Mexican journalist Guillermo Barraza appears on Canal Once’s news program “La Verdrag” under the drag persona Amanda Drag. The show, filmed in Mexico City, blends investigative reporting with interviews that highlight LGBTQ+ celebrities and residents, positioning minorities as a majority in its narrative.

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Mexico ranks among the world’s most dangerous environments for journalists, with the second-highest death rates globally. Simultaneously, the local queer community faces daily harassment and prejudice. Barraza reports receiving a continual barrage of death threats.

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• Guillermo Barraza – On-air reporter who adopts the drag alter-ego Amanda Drag.

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• Amanda Drag – The persona through which Barraza delivers news segments.

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• Canal Once – Public television network broadcasting “La Verdrag.”

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• “La Verdrag” – The program that showcases investigative pieces and LGBTQ+ profiles.

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• Mexico holds the second-highest journalist death rate worldwide.

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• Barraza experiences daily death threats.

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The program provides a platform for LGBTQ+ celebrities and residents, offering visibility to a community that faces daily harassment and prejudice. Barraza says the Amanda Drag persona gives him “more freedom to speak out,” allowing commentary that might otherwise be risky for his personal identity. He adds that greater visibility is meant to “fight for change” and “not let fear win” in a hostile environment for journalists and queer individuals.

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Barraza has explained that the Amanda Drag persona enables him to address issues that “Guillermo wouldn’t do or say.” He emphasizes that the alter-ego reduces personal harassment because criticism targets the character rather than the individual. Canal Once broadcasts the program, providing a platform for minorities.

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• “In this country, no one is safe,” — Guillermo Barraza, journalist

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• “The more visible you are, the more you want to fight for change, the more you put a target on your own chest. And if we have to put our lives on the line, that’s what we’ll do, because we won’t let fear win.” — Guillermo Barraza, journalist

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• “There are many things that Guillermo wouldn’t do or say that Amanda wouldn’t think twice about,” — Guillermo Barraza, journalist

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• “Having an alter ego, you have fewer problems because they can’t harass a character. You have more freedom to speak out.” — Guillermo Barraza, journalist

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