As one of the most famous drag queens in history, Ru Paul serves as a significant influence for the community. As the host of the reality television show 'Ru Paul's Drag Race,' he has received constant questions as to if he would allow a transgender or transitioning woman to compete on the show.

“Drag loses its sense of danger and sense of irony once it’s not men doing it,” Paul said, according to Teen Vogue. “Because at its core it’s a social statement and a big f-you to male-dominated culture. So for men to do it, it’s really punk rock, because it’s a real rejection of masculinity.”

Ru Paul's show is often referred to as the "Olympics of drag." Taking to Twitter, he doubled down on his previous comments by saying, "You can take performance enhancing drugs and still be an athlete, just not in the Olympics."

You can take performance enhancing drugs and still be an athlete, just not in the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/HkJjzXzUGm

— RuPaul (@RuPaul) March 5, 2018

Audiences as well as former contestants took to social media to react to Paul's comments.

It’s your show @RuPaul. You can have whatever rules you want. That’s that on that. But these words particularly seem to alienate trans people from drag, many of whom do it because they’re scared to present as women daily. Drag gives them and all of us strength, don’t weaponize it

— Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) March 5, 2018

Disappointed w/ RuPaul but not surprised. Let's continue to create and maintain spaces for all kinds of drag. Make the queer drag world you want to see! If everyone is subjected to gender norms, everyone should be able to do drag. Drag is not worth doing unless it liberates all.

— Erika Klash (@ErikaKlash) March 5, 2018

Trans women were the first entertainers I ever saw in drag & have always been a big part of the industry. To now hear such words of segregation from an icon who has created a world wide community of unity, makes me sad. Is never been LGB so let’s not forget about the T!

— Gia Gunn (@GiaGunn) March 5, 2018

Many describe Paul as the "gatekeeper" of drag, and say that by excluding transgender and cisgender women he is sectioning off a part of this community that deserves inclusion.