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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:
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15
Fanciedachange1 · 17/08/2019 18:21

@TooTrueToBeGood how about these for femininity?

To me I prefer the more unusual drag acts that don’t rely on simply looking like a woman.

I love RPDR and I just find it fun, lighthearted, silly and good chill out TV.i have never been offended by it and I think it is something that is easy to ignore if it isn’t to your taste.

Why is drag so popular now?
Why is drag so popular now?
EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/08/2019 18:22

I've asked the same question @CarolDanvers but that poster hasn't come back to explain.

finnmcool · 18/08/2019 01:20

Male privilege taking the piss out of women and doing 'woman face' isn't acceptable to me.

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 01:30

Is it unacceptable for women to wear masculine clothes? I haven’t worn a dress for years.

Mileysmiley · 18/08/2019 01:32

I think it has always been popular.

Remember her?

howwudufeel · 18/08/2019 01:50

I love Les Dawson and his Cissie and Ada characters. It was a brilliant comic portrayal of a pair of Lancashire women. They were especially funny because of the mee-mawing they did when they spoke which I have seen done in RL lots of times.

Mileysmiley · 18/08/2019 02:40

I love the sketch of them at the Doctor's surgery ..

Mileysmiley · 18/08/2019 02:42

Remember Ting Tong?

mindproject · 18/08/2019 03:04

This reply has been deleted

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Greeborising · 18/08/2019 03:14

I love drag!
Rupaul is my spirit animal.
A good drag show is uplifting and inspiring.
It’s not because of Pride, drag is an all year round event!
Comparing it to the Minstrels is just rude!

Greeborising · 18/08/2019 03:16

Fancie that’s Ferrah Moan! Very beautiful and talented

jennymcjenface · 18/08/2019 03:49

Are you seriously comparing Drag to blackface!!! I've read some ridiculous stuff on this site but this takes the piss.

I'm a huge fan of RuPaul and I'm happy that Drag Race and other shows are now popular. Many of the people featured have had incredibly tough lives involving discrimination, family members disowning them and even death threats all because of their sexuality. The discovery of Drag and the community has often saved them and has given them a new family after their biological one has abandoned them.

Drag isn't seedy or offensive and they don't do it to mock women at all (completely the opposite in fact!).

I'm struggling to find the words to describe just how disgusted I am right now after seeing some of these answers and I worry that this will be passed down to your children.

Mileysmiley · 18/08/2019 03:58

@MindProject

You might be right

EverardDigby · 18/08/2019 07:25

Drag isn't seedy or offensive and they don't do it to mock women at all (completely the opposite in fact!).

I think perhaps the version you see on the telly is not the same as you see in gay pubs and clubs up and down the country.

And just because someone had had a hard time it doesn't justify them being misogynist.

0pheIiaBaIIs · 18/08/2019 07:58

I don’t like to watch men parodying (the worst of) women to be honest

This.

Every drag act I've ever seen plays up to negative female stereotype (bitchy, shallow, image obsessed, etc).

Also to suggest that men in hyper feminised clothing/makeup being bitchy and unpleasant is celebrating femininity or is probably the most female positive performance out there is frankly incredible. What about all the women who do exactly this? The actors, sportswomen, comedians, TV academics etc? Far more positive than a man in a bra being a bitch.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 18/08/2019 08:11

I have a relative that is a celebrated drag artist, I have never been offended at any of his shows, the huge amount of women in the audience also don't seem to mind when they're clapping and cheering.

His style of entertainment is mainly cabaret based, lots of singing, a bit crude at times but it's an adult show..

He is a gay man, a care worker in his everyday life, married happily and has a feat family network, he adores the females in his life, his 'alter ego' is just a bit of fun... he doesn't portray her as bitchy/screeching or in highly sexualised clothing.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 18/08/2019 08:18

Why does he feel that a woman is his alter ego? What’s wrong with a man ‘doing’ a male character?

MoltoAgitato · 18/08/2019 08:22

Another one who finds it all kinds of wrong, and no one has given me any convincing arguments as to why it is any different to blackface.

It feels like a patriarchal revolt agains the rise of women. Think you’re so great? Fine, we’ll dress up like you and take the piss out of you, do womaning better than women. Don’t like it? What’s the matter, can’t you stupid cows take a joke?

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 18/08/2019 08:26

In a world where an actors is hounded for playing a role of someone of a different race or sexuality (and not even in a take down of the character) - how is this not frowned upon?

0pheIiaBaIIs · 18/08/2019 08:58

In a world where an actors is hounded for playing a role of someone of a different race or sexuality (and not even in a take down of the character) - how is this not frowned upon?

Also in a world where racial/cultural appropriation is a thing. Why is it ok for men to dress themselves, and act as, hideous appropriations of womanhood? And why do so many women applaud it? And argue that it 'celebrates femininity'?

Nobody suggests that what these men are doing is gender appropriation. That's ok, apparently, even when it's derogatory and harmful.

Why are so many women ok with this? In fact, more than ok, they actually love being ridiculed and the butt of misogynist 'jokes'? It's bonkers.

MoltoAgitato · 18/08/2019 09:01

Someone should tell the author of that spokesman piece that he actually has to provide arguments to back up statements. Just saying it doesn’t make it so! But the woke always were short on critical thinking skills.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 09:03

Are you seriously comparing Drag to blackface!!! I've read some ridiculous stuff on this site but this takes the piss.

The Black and White Minstrels would have had the same response in their time.

You cannot be serious, the Black and White Minstrels are not parodying black people, it is mainly cabaret based, lots of singing and a family based show. All the people in it are happily married with families of their own'.

sackrifice · 18/08/2019 09:04

Someone should tell the author of that spokesman piece that he actually has to provide arguments to back up statements. Just saying it doesn’t make it so! But the woke always were short on critical thinking skills

Is the author a man, with a beard? Perchance?

0pheIiaBaIIs · 18/08/2019 09:04

From the article bee222 posted a link to:

[Drag is] an expression of individuality and freedom from a population that has itself been historically powerless

In the way women have been historically powerless, you mean? So men now find that a great way to celebrate their new found power (puhlease) is to ridiculous women who in many parts of the world are still powerless?