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Original poster

9-year-old 'drag queen' - am I wrong or is this incredibly disturbing?

62 replies

Foxpyjamas · 11/01/2018 11:19

Hi, long-time lurker, first-time poster.

Someone posted this link on my FB this morning with a comment that made it clear he thought this was cool.

I just thought it was extremely disturbing and a clear example of a child being inappropriately sexualised. The way the article is written this point of view is presented as moralistic prudish pearl-clutching, like whatever an Alt-Right or Christian says must be completely unreasonable.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Alt-Right are wrong about almost everything but in this case I don't care who says it, those pictures are awful. Not because the boy is wearing a sparkly costume (complaining about that would indeed be ridiculous but as far as I can see that wasn't even what anyone was saying) but because of the poses, the makeup, the fact that this is a CHILD.

I feel like most progressive types would agree these days that children should be able to wear what they like free from gender stereotypes, but a child drag queen? Isn't that a completely different kettle of fish? I have always had some qualms about drag anyway (it strikes me as mocking women) but for adults it's one thing - I don't know much about it but aren't drag shows genuinely pretty sexual, like definitely in the realms of adult entertainment? But the article and my friend are muddying the issue trying to make it about the fact that there's no problem with a kid wearing a sparkly suit.

Am I crazy here?

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 11/01/2018 11:36

It seems like harmless dress up to me

See

And attached pics

9-year-old 'drag queen' - am I wrong or is this incredibly disturbing?
9-year-old 'drag queen' - am I wrong or is this incredibly disturbing?
9-year-old 'drag queen' - am I wrong or is this incredibly disturbing?
squishysquirmy · 11/01/2018 11:36

It makes me feel uncomfortable in the same way that small girls heavily made up in child beauty pagents do.

I have no problem with children wearing sparkly outfits, nor with children dressing up in outrageous ways - as long as they find it fun.
I don't have a problem with children wearing make up (occasionally) either - but I don't agree with that amount of heavy, time consuming, professional looking make up in a child, no matter what sex.
How long must it take to make a small child look like a botoxed adult? Why is it necessary?

HamishBamish · 11/01/2018 11:35

YANBU, it's hideous.

VanessaBet · 11/01/2018 11:34

This is the kind of thing where as a parent I would say 'when you're bigger darling, you're too little now. This is for grown-ups'.

Same as if they wanted to drink wine, try a cigarette, drive a car, wear high heels to the park, bungee jump, go to a nightclub, have sex or use a chainsaw. Some things you grow into. I'm not a massive fan of drag, but neither do I think a boy shouldn't wear a sequinned onesie. Challenge gender stereotypes by all means, but I don't think this is age appropriate. I hate little girls doing pageants too.

nauticant · 11/01/2018 11:30

I've seen articles and videos about that child before and to me it looks like child abuse.

Note the name, Lactatia. Drag artists having sexualised names is one thing, them being used for 9 year olds is another.

TammySwansonTwo · 11/01/2018 11:28

I don't actually have an issue with this - given that the outfit and images aren't sexualised. I'd rather kids were encouraged to express themselves this way than pushed to transition at a young age because because they want to wear make up or dress a certain way.

joystir59 · 11/01/2018 11:26

Lactatia? How much driven by the child and how much by pushy adults with an agenda?

BertrandRussell · 11/01/2018 11:26

Hugely inappropriate regardless of the sex, gender or orientation of the child concerned.

Linguini · 11/01/2018 11:25

This is product placement. The child was not "dragged on stage" (geddit?) to then instantly become a model, it was all staged. The company are trying to sell their glittery onesies and need a story.
It's making the rounds anyway so no doubt hey will sell!

Anyway, that poor child is being exploited and my guess probably does not want to be a drag queen but who doesn't love all that attention and ££.

MissBax · 11/01/2018 11:24

It seems like harmless dress up to me, there's nothing sexual about those pictures or the clothes etc.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 11/01/2018 11:24

YANBU. Im very uncomfortable with it too, and "Lactatia" really ?!

Original poster
Foxpyjamas · 11/01/2018 11:21

I meant generally pretty sexual, don't know why I typed genuinely.

OP posts: