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Original poster

Why is drag so popular now?

712 replies

Nothingcomesforfree · 17/08/2019 09:43

Genuine question. I have seen lots of posts on a Facebook this morning about attending some drag queen event. Mostly women and several bringing their teens ( both sexes)

It seems really popular but I have no idea why or what people going get out of it? Is it comedic or fashion or something else.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Propertyofhood · 18/08/2019 21:44

No

Why not?

RosesAndRaindrops · 18/08/2019 21:47

Because I don't find drag acts offensive.
I don't see it as "women being mocked."
More as people expressing themselves.
I don't care if they want to dress up as a woman.
To me it's just harmless fun, creativity.

Propertyofhood · 18/08/2019 21:52

The question was whether you mind the exaggerated sexualisation of women by men. Why is it OK for men to sexualise women in this way? Especially when women are objecting to it?

Blacking up is just 'a dressing up act'.

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 22:01

Blacking up is much more than dressing up. It was designed to mock and dehumanise black people. From the drag acts I have seen it just looks like people having fun.

toadabode · 18/08/2019 22:01

Because society is becoming more superficial and trashy

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 22:05

This university teaches drag. I don’t imagine they would get away teaching blackface acts.

www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2015/04/university-offers-uks-first-drag-studies-module/

TwoPencePenny · 18/08/2019 22:06

That we don’t have to all enjoy the same things Confused I’m not laughing at people that enjoy opera. I was responding to the original poster, I didn’t realise it had turned into a debate on drag or I wouldn’t have bothered. I just see it as people doing what makes them happy, things that are not usually accepted by society, in a space where they won’t be mocked and people enjoying watching. I don’t see it as a big thing against women, I saw it more as a celebration of being different. Was fully confused until i’ve just read a poster talking about women who wear makeup and revealing dresses as if they’re lesser than those that don’t. Hmm

If you find it offensive then I’d hope nobody would force you to go. It’s not comparable to the minstrels. That was a show for white people in a deliberate attempt to portray black people in a specific way, in a time where most white people didn’t associate with black people. Half of the population are women, we know what women are like and they are our mothers sisters daughters friends wives. We don’t get information on them from a performance. Drag is just having fun and is probably so popular, particularly with non conforming people because the people on stage express their non conformingness with such confidence and little fear, which is something lots wish they could do.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 22:10

That was a show for white people in a deliberate attempt to portray black people in a specific way

And drag isn't men portraying women in a specific way?

Grotesquely.

RosesAndRaindrops · 18/08/2019 22:11

The question was whether you mind the exaggerated sexualisation of women by men.

And I answered you. I said no.

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 22:13

Performers usually wear exaggerated costume. Drag is at the extreme end of that but that doesn’t make it offensive to me.

Propertyofhood · 18/08/2019 22:14

I just see it as people doing what makes them happy,

Yeah, taking the piss out of women, lovely...

If it was just about 'self expression' there wouldn't be the need for the comedy tits, the misogynistic jokes and the exaggerated 'bitchy' personalities of drag queens.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 22:15

Drag is at the extreme end of that but that doesn’t make it offensive to me.

What about snuff movies? Where does your line of 'entertainment' end exactly?

Propertyofhood · 18/08/2019 22:21

And I answered you. I said no.

And I asked why its OK for men to sexualise women in this way, when even some women have said they don't like it? What right do they have to do that? Women who don't like it just have to suck it up then, even if they find it offensive, because nothing should get in the way of men and their self expression?

You agree that it is sexualising women then?

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 22:22

Snuff movies are about murdering people. As far as I aware a drag queen hasn’t yet taken to doing that...

Vintagevixen · 18/08/2019 22:33

The words "cunty" and "fishy" are used regularly in the drag scene, in fact I believe RPDR use it as a catchphrase - charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. C.U.N.T. All insults used towards the female sex. I mean they are literally implying all vaginas smell like fish, how more obvious can it be?

How is this not offensive?

Fanciedachange1 · 18/08/2019 22:37

I am a fan of RuPaul’s drag race and it is very hard to describe to people who don’t like drag what it is about it that I like but I will try my best.

I categorise it with other shows like Love Island. For me it’s an hour where I can just chill, relax and not have to think too much. I laugh at the crap jokes, get impressed by the creative talent, enjoy rooting for a favourite and hoping the season baddie gets eliminated.

I don’t get offended by it but I appreciate that others may find it offensive and choose not to watch it.

It isn’t all about trying to appear as female as possible and take the piss by adopting a persona that is overly sexual. In fact my favourite performers include Yvie Oddly and Sharon Needles. They appeal to my inner goth/inner “freak” and I really like how they push the boundaries and proove that drag isn’t just looking pretty and twerking.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 18/08/2019 22:52

Men should push male boundaries then. Leave women’s boundaries to the women.

RosesAndRaindrops · 18/08/2019 22:59

What if some men don't want to push men's boundaries and be so called masculine though?
If they're happy showing a feminine side, why shouldn't they?
It smacks a bit to me of trying to fit people into a box.
Men be men, women be women.
If a man wants to embrace so called femininity though I can't get worked up over that.
That doesn't mean that I think nobody should be offended by it.
That's your right to be.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 23:01

Snuff movies are about murdering people. As far as I aware a drag queen hasn’t yet taken to doing that...

I am well aware of that. I was wondering if you have a line that you wouldn't cross for 'entertainment'.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 23:03

If they're happy showing a feminine side, why shouldn't they

Showing a feminine side is not performing a grotesque caricature of women.

What is a feminine side anyway? Doing all the childcare, taking a 20% wage cut? Weird how they never want to actually do that.

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 23:04

We all have a line we won’t cross. Watching people get murdered in real life and watching a bloke in a frock sing I Am What I Am are on different sides of my particular line...

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 18/08/2019 23:05

Who said pushing male boundaries was being macho?

This lot aren’t pushing boundaries into female-isation but pole-vaulting over womanhood into pantomime dame territory.

RosesAndRaindrops · 18/08/2019 23:08

What is a feminine side anyway? Doing all the childcare, taking a 20% wage cut? Weird how they never want to actually do that

I was on about so called feminine looks and dress.
How you fit doing childcare and a wage cut into a feminine look is anyone's guess.
Maybe a sicky up patch on the shoulder from where you've winded baby? Or a low wage job uniform? Something like that?
It only works as being offensive to me if you find women's sexuality/femininity something to get offended about.

Propertyofhood · 18/08/2019 23:09

If they're happy showing a feminine side, why shouldn't they?

Can you define 'feminine' here please?

RosesAndRaindrops · 18/08/2019 23:13

Thinking about that a bit more, yeah. Maybe there's a gap in the market for that.
Embracing femininity = all the crap bits like leaky boobs etc. Grin
That some women like no makeup no heels no dressing up. Like myself.
Maybe a market for both?
As clearly drag is popular for some women and not everyone is offended by it.
You're entitled to be offended but you're not entitled to say everyone else should be too.

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