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Original poster

Drag Queens

31 replies

feminazi · 31/12/2016 11:07

This was something I hadn't given much thought to until recently, but with the way that trans issues have blown up, it has got me thinking.

I know two drag acts in real life, both are 'normal' men who do drag for a living. They aren't trans, it's just a job to them. I don't really have a problem with that, but I feel that I should in principle.

I've never seen that Ru Paul show, but I hear it's entertaining. I might give it a watch to see how I feel.

Your thoughts?

OP posts:
TheSparrowhawk · 31/12/2016 14:27

What points out the power disparity best IMO is the fact that it'd be near impossible for women do a drag act, because men's clothes are so 'ordinary' and 'normal.' A woman in a suit isn't in 'drag' she's just in a suit. Wearing a beard would just look a bit weird - there's no edge of hilarity or sense of circus because men are not freaks to be looked at and parodied the way women are.

Racerback · 31/12/2016 14:27

I'm not a fan. I fail to see the difference between drag acts and the Black and White minstrel show.

TheSparrowhawk · 31/12/2016 14:25

I don't like them and I feel they're misogynistic. The more powerful member of society (the male) parodies the less powerful member (the female) by overemphasising the aspects of the culture that contribute the power disparity - the requirement to be 'dolled up,' wear make up and high heels etc. It's a power display while at the same time being mocking and disparaging. I absolutely hate it.

QueenLizIII · 31/12/2016 14:22

It's a long tradition in Pantomime. Shrugs.

RitaCrudgington · 31/12/2016 14:21

There are definitely some misogynistic drag queens, but I'm happy that they should be called out individually rather than damning the form.

Seachangeshell · 31/12/2016 14:12

I've got no problem with drag acts. They're just a bit of lighthearted fun aren't they? A man in drag is impersonating a woman, but it's so over the top that it's clearly not intended to represent what a real woman is like in any way. And part of the joke on stage is that we all know it's a man really.
I see it as part of a long tradition in comedy theatre and more recently part of gay culture.

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