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AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?

213 replies

sanctuaryyi · 12/05/2026 11:20

AIBU to think that drag is derogative woman face and unacceptable.

Women are oppressed by men, for example;

  • 1 in 4 women will be raped by a man in their lifetime.
  • Men generally hold most of the power and wealth, 90% of the ultra-wealthy in the world are men.
  • Men are less likely to experience sexual harassment and often have more freedom of movement without fear of violence.
  • Men are generally free from unpaid caring roles
  • Women are more likely to be objectified by men and valued for their body and youth whereas men are not and this creates a power imbalance.

With this in mind AIBU to think drag on main stream TV such as this 'artist' is totally unacceptable.

He has made fun and a jokes about lactation in grotesque fashion, squeezing cream out of his huge fake tits into a cup and has made fun of pregnancy and wears comedy size 'tits' and 'arse'.

The portrayal of any group's body or bodily functions in a grotesque manner for humour should surely be considered unacceptable, particularly when it mirrors historical patterns of oppression. Shouldn't it?

The link is twitter
Drag Race

For those that don't have twitter I have added some screen shots.

AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 13:32

It's actually little wonder women have not been able to have the same success in comedy as men. I mean the jokes are mainly aimed at women.

Look at the 'legend' Benny Hill.

Prime-time comedy family entertainment for years.
All based around the 'hilarious' joke of women (school girls) being leered at by a dirty old man.

Fucking hilarious, what a talent!

OP posts:
sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 13:10

Oohanothername · 13/05/2026 12:42

Well, I've never thought of it that way but now I do! Yes I completely agree, how is it different to the black and white minstrel show for example?? And similarly to cultural appropriation being frowned upon, why is obscene (or any) drag permitted? So you can't go to a fancy dress party as a native American for example, but you can go in drag?! Hmm...

You've given me a different perspective and you're right to call it out.

I always think that once you see the misogyny you can't unsee it.

OP posts:
sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 13:09

BeckyBloom · 13/05/2026 13:02

I’ve hated drag since I was a kid watching Danny La Rue with my mother … except from Barry Humphries as Dame Edna who was an obvious comedic character, all drag is disrespectful IMHO.

I totally agree with you. Barry wasn't using his cross dressing as the main point of his comedy, by that I mean his jokes were not linked to women's bodies in anyway.

In fact I think the main point of his comedy was that he was delusional about always being right. Nothing to do with taking knocks at mother in law's, stereotyping bitchy female personas or laughs about female anatomy lactating.

OP posts:
BeckyBloom · 13/05/2026 13:02

I’ve hated drag since I was a kid watching Danny La Rue with my mother … except from Barry Humphries as Dame Edna who was an obvious comedic character, all drag is disrespectful IMHO.

maftan · 13/05/2026 12:45

I'm beginning to realise that only the intelligent, socially aware, and well educated are disgusted at drag. That includes me of course.

Oohanothername · 13/05/2026 12:42

Well, I've never thought of it that way but now I do! Yes I completely agree, how is it different to the black and white minstrel show for example?? And similarly to cultural appropriation being frowned upon, why is obscene (or any) drag permitted? So you can't go to a fancy dress party as a native American for example, but you can go in drag?! Hmm...

You've given me a different perspective and you're right to call it out.

Tonissister · 13/05/2026 12:30

TFImBackIn · 12/05/2026 11:50

I just can't see the difference between drag and the black-and-white minstrels from decades ago - both equally bad.

In the same way I can't understand how that Rachel woman who said she was black was freely hated when a man who says he's a woman isn't.

I could have written this post. How can B&W minstrels (rightly!) be recognised how to be a gross embarassment but drag shows aren't? Blackface and womanface have so much in common. Contempt, disgust and hatred of anyone considered to be 'other'.

HeyHoHenryHippy · 13/05/2026 12:29

sanctuaryyi · 12/05/2026 15:17

A UK drag tour targeted primarily at audiences aged 14 and up is raising safeguarding concerns due to the highly graphic nature of the performer’s usual events.

Insell, 40, is a Canadian national who rose to notoriety after participating in Canada’s Drag Race in 2020 and RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World in 2022. He utilizes multiple drag personas as part of his acts, many of which will reportedly be seen at the 14+ events if the event poster is any indication.

Some of Insell’s various personas appear in the video, including Casper the Baloney Ghost and his signature drag character, which utilizes a head-to-toe prosthetic “female body,” complete with comically large breasts. In a photo of the suit posted to social media earlier this year, the suit is also seen to have a faux-vulva.

from 2023

Disgusting to aim at 14+ since they are still children. Adults can decide what's suitable for themselves. It's normalising sexual behaviour around children and fetish sexual behaviour at that. Vile. No wonder some young people have a distorted view of sex and look at online porn, in some cases extreme porn with young boys.

When will society realise that fetishes shouldn't be normalised around children?

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 12:24

ChocolateAddictAlways · 13/05/2026 12:18

There are a lot of men who are misogynists and unfortunately men who perform drag aren't an exception to that rule.

There are too many people who hate the female body sadly.

Edited

Agree @ChocolateAddictAlways

Many men see the female body as something they own, that they have a right to, that they can ridicule because it belongs to them, that they can appropriate and take over spaces and sports that don't belong to them.

Men do not give a second thought that it is not their right to appropriate a woman's anatomy in such a negative stereotypical way, a body that they can only view and understand through their own male lens.

It makes me sick actually.

OP posts:
ChocolateAddictAlways · 13/05/2026 12:18

There are a lot of men who are misogynists and unfortunately men who perform drag aren't an exception to that rule.

There are too many people who hate the female body sadly.

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 12:16

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 12:08

Drag artists are not responsible for men attacking women

Who said they were?

I think you are muddled.

The drag acts are misogynistic and we are allowed to call it out, just as we do for misogyny we experience on the street.

Our licence fees go towards this and it's unacceptable to many of us.

OP posts:
maftan · 13/05/2026 12:10

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 12:08

Drag artists are not responsible for men attacking women

Drag artists are misogynists, all are male, correct? Why not caricature their own sex? God knows there's plenty of material there.

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 12:08

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 11:52

That's not really relevant to the discussions at all.

No one asked us to change our behaviour in attempt to protect ourselves from misogyny that happens in public but we are entitled to call it out for what it is when it happens.

Drag artists are not responsible for men attacking women

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 11:52

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 11:36

Nobody is asking you to watch it

That's not really relevant to the discussions at all.

No one asked us to change our behaviour in attempt to protect ourselves from misogyny that happens in public but we are entitled to call it out for what it is when it happens.

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 11:36

maftan · 13/05/2026 10:47

Not too many females doing male drag are there?. That's because it's so easy for males to caricature women and their body parts. So drag is disgusting to me, and I will never watch it or like it. Ridiculous shite.

Nobody is asking you to watch it

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 10:54

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 10:41

Only white men? because a little research will tell you that there are plenty of black drag artists.
Did you also know that the core audiences for drag cabaret shows are women, on hen nights, birthdays etc?
Perhaps try a little less infantilisation of a whole demographic because you dont like it?

I think that post was in response the Black and White Minstrels and other white men like Lily Savage, Kenny Everett and Dick Emery doing female impersonations at that time. There were no black male impersonators doing comedy or shows about white men using exaggerated, inaccurate and stereotypical white male features was there? And that says it all quite frankly.

Also, this is not new news that some women support misogyny, often unintentionally but through social expectations and learned behaviour.

How else can we explain that many women did not support the suffragette movement or how many women will victim blame rape survivors due to what they were wearing or 'why did they walk home at that time of night'

OP posts:
maftan · 13/05/2026 10:47

Not too many females doing male drag are there?. That's because it's so easy for males to caricature women and their body parts. So drag is disgusting to me, and I will never watch it or like it. Ridiculous shite.

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 10:41

Funtime2 · 13/05/2026 09:11

It does matter if you are white and male when you are impersonating. It also matters hugely when the impersonator is using degrading stereotypes and vile and inaccurate imagery of body parts.

Benny Hill was not gentle micky taking was he, his whole act was pervy and grim. What’s funny about an old man chasing young women, sometimes dressed as school girls with barely any clothes on whilst hanging his tongue out of his mouth.

Made me feel extremely uncomfortable as a child.

This was family entertainment!

Only white men? because a little research will tell you that there are plenty of black drag artists.
Did you also know that the core audiences for drag cabaret shows are women, on hen nights, birthdays etc?
Perhaps try a little less infantilisation of a whole demographic because you dont like it?

Funtime2 · 13/05/2026 09:11

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 08:41

Yet modern day comedy seems to mostly swearing and toilet humour. Drama series constant swearing and graphic scenes of sex and violence. How is a bit of gentle micky taking worse than this?
At least the comedians were funny without the need for foul language and overt sexual innuendo.
It matters not one bit whether male or female, black or white, straight or gay. If you are funny you are funny. And I find most modern day comedians ( with one or 2 notable exceptions) about as funny as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

It does matter if you are white and male when you are impersonating. It also matters hugely when the impersonator is using degrading stereotypes and vile and inaccurate imagery of body parts.

Benny Hill was not gentle micky taking was he, his whole act was pervy and grim. What’s funny about an old man chasing young women, sometimes dressed as school girls with barely any clothes on whilst hanging his tongue out of his mouth.

Made me feel extremely uncomfortable as a child.

This was family entertainment!

AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
AIBU to find drag on mainstream TV disrespectful to women?
Daleksatemyshed · 13/05/2026 08:43

The real difference was Les Dawson was funny, everyone knew someone like Effie and Ada and there was a real core of affection for women. The over the top drag acts don't love women, they must think their audiences are stupid paying money to be beliitled

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 08:41

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 08:28

I think it was funny at the time, but there are lots of comedy shows that haven't aged that well because the jokes were mostly told by white men poking fun or impersonating anyone but white men.

Black and white minstrels were popular at that time.
Benny Hill was adored by women and men alike
Even the early Bond films have not aged well at all.

It's all misogyny.

Yet modern day comedy seems to mostly swearing and toilet humour. Drama series constant swearing and graphic scenes of sex and violence. How is a bit of gentle micky taking worse than this?
At least the comedians were funny without the need for foul language and overt sexual innuendo.
It matters not one bit whether male or female, black or white, straight or gay. If you are funny you are funny. And I find most modern day comedians ( with one or 2 notable exceptions) about as funny as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

sanctuaryyi · 13/05/2026 08:28

Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 08:07

It was comedy. Nobody thought they were women and they didnt pretend to be. Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough were utterly hilarious and hugely popular. The old ladies at my Grandma's weekly social club were exactly like them and each week the old ladies would discuss what Cissie and Ada had been talking about on the show, amid games of laughter.
That was back in the days when folk were actually allowed to have a sense of humour, and didnt get all huffy about a bit of mild teasing.
No wonder everyone looks so miserable these days 😣

I think it was funny at the time, but there are lots of comedy shows that haven't aged that well because the jokes were mostly told by white men poking fun or impersonating anyone but white men.

Black and white minstrels were popular at that time.
Benny Hill was adored by women and men alike
Even the early Bond films have not aged well at all.

It's all misogyny.

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 13/05/2026 08:07

Funtime2 · 13/05/2026 07:53

Yep!
Les Dawson definitely stereotyped and poked fun at women and older women especially

It was comedy. Nobody thought they were women and they didnt pretend to be. Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough were utterly hilarious and hugely popular. The old ladies at my Grandma's weekly social club were exactly like them and each week the old ladies would discuss what Cissie and Ada had been talking about on the show, amid games of laughter.
That was back in the days when folk were actually allowed to have a sense of humour, and didnt get all huffy about a bit of mild teasing.
No wonder everyone looks so miserable these days 😣

westcott · 13/05/2026 07:56

I think one day it will be deemed unacceptable but society hasn’t caught on yet.

Funtime2 · 13/05/2026 07:53

Yep!
Les Dawson definitely stereotyped and poked fun at women and older women especially

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