Why is drag so popular now?

[Nothingcomesforfree]

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.

Would I be laughing at fish jokes?
No, as they're not particularly funny. I'd eye roll maybe. I personally wouldn't be offended though (not saying nobody else is allowed to be.)
If a drag act is making a personal joke about someone else's looks in the audience then no, I don't agree with that, that's not on.

Can somebody give me the name of a drag act that celebrates women I can watch on YouTube?

I've said it can be seen as a celebration of femininity, even if it is an overly sexualized version.

No I'm still not getting it. How is it a 'celebration of femininity'? How is wearing highly over exaggerated makeup and dresses/heels, that the vast vast majority of women never wear, and then taking the most negative aspects of how society sees women (bitchy, naggy, desperate for a man etc) and exagerrating those as well for entertainment celebrating feminity? And why is an 'overly sexualised version' OK anyway? What right do men have to portray 'femininity' in that way?

An Australian drag performer named Pauline Pantsdown @PPantsdown is certainly no fan of gender critical women. PP blocked me and others on Twitter for questioning their views. The word TER* was used by PP three times in one sentence.

They have no right aping women then do they? Obviously a woman-hating twit.

What right do men have to portray femininity in any way?
I'm not the gate keeper of femininity.
If a man wants to drag up and act a highly sexualized version of a woman, each to their own.
I can't get all "hey you're not a woman, what right do you have? Be a man."

But taking certain aspects of something or someone you are not, particularly when you are from a more 'oppressive class', and then wildly exaggerating them for the sole purpose of entertainment, is generally seen as offensive isn't it?

In what way is Violet Chachki not parodying women in a grotesque, hyper sexualised way? How is 'celebrating femininity'? Corseted waists and clichéd sexy underwear? It's a man's idea of a woman. A caricature. A stereotype. How is that helpful, or a celebration of anything?

@Pr1nc3ssP3rdy what about the 200 or so people in the room who laughed along? Are they all horrible people, too? Or are they just caught up in the whole 'drag is an art form' hooplah?

I suppose the Cupid Stunts and Morning Glorias on the scene are all just horrible people too? Where do you draw the line?

People laughed at Bernard Manning jokes too.

French and Saunders dressed up as men all the time. That was gruesome as well

endangered and persecuted art form you what? It’s getting pretty mainstream these days (even a drag queen in the BBBO tv ads) and has been creeping into libraries for ‘dragtime stories’ or whatever it’s called. Hardly a persecuted minority in need of police protection.

It's a man's idea of a woman.

Yes, and then we are told that we are being 'celebrated' by these men. I don't see myself being celebrated through drag? Do any women really look at drag and think 'yes, I can really see myself in that, they have me down to a tee, I feel really celebrated'?

Do you know what, it is a tricky thing. I have nothing against men donning dresses and makeup.

It's the 'caricature' aspect that bothers me. It feels like it dehumanises women because it makes me think that men just see us as parts to be picked apart and exaggerated for their gain.

I think it's an endangered and persecuted art form

So endangered and persecuted it's on Lorraine Kelly

I'm wondering how many people in this thread have been to a drag show recently or done research into it?

So many queens have taken 'fish' out of their vocabulary recently, because it is offensive to women which is the opposite of what they're trying to achieve.

I also go to drag shows regularly, and have never seen a queen perform a number where they actively mock women, or make fun of women. In fact the majority of queens I've seen perform talk about how inspired by women they are and how much they love women and their drag is a tribute to that.

The basis for so much drag isn't dressing up as a women, it's dressing up as what the western male deemed idea of beauty is and tearing it apart. It shows that the idea of what men have typically perceived to be beautiful about women is all smoke and mirrors because anyone can look like that. I've seen more drag queens mocking gay men, and even more mocking straight men, than I've ever seen mocking women.

There are always going to be some queens who yes, maybe are setting out to make fun of women, but from all the drag I've seen in my life that's not what the spirit of drag is at all. It's celebrating different-ness. It's creating a space where everyone can be who they are without a fear of judgement.

I don’t know why either but it is a caricature and I can think of other trends like this that are viewed badly now.

It’s not who they are though. It’s who they are not. And on stage with an audience.

*I have nothing against men donning dresses and makeup.

It's the 'caricature' aspect that bothers me. It feels like it dehumanises women because it makes me think that men just see us as parts to be picked apart and exaggerated for their gain*

Exactly this.

I used to go to New Romantic revival club nights in the 90s in London. The men were beautiful, but they weren't aping women and they weren't disrespectful. They were just blokes in blusher and blouses. It was glamorous and gorgeous. DH was well into the makeup and flounces when we met. And nobody rocked a dress and slap like Bowie.

It's the caricature that I loathe. And the way drag focuses on perceived (by men) negative female traits - the bitching, the nastiness, the grossly and grotesquely exaggerated female physical traits (huge fake tits, huge lips, corseted waists). And the way that women are he butt of their jokes so often, and we're supposed to laugh along and actually be glad that men are 'celebrating' us.

No thank you.

I don’t need celebrating. Just give me my own loo and pay parity and I’ll be a happy bunny.

What @wowrly said. Literally this.

Inform yourselves people