Please can someone explain the appeal of drag? ***MNHQ TWEAKING TITLE TO POINT OUT STRICTLY SPOILER IN THE OP***

[CurlewKate]

Watching Celebrity Strictly last night, it was obviously set up for Tayce to win. Why? A group of celebrities of varying degrees of charm and bumble- then they are all soundly beaten by a clearly skilled dancer who's a drag queen.
There have been drag queens on Sewing Bee and Masterchef and House of Games. And loads of other shows I can't remember.
What's the appeal? And why no drag kings? Strictly has been great at featuring same sex couples- why not do more of that?

I would love it if we could discuss this in a way that doesn't get the thread deleted, so please post with care.

Really? So they're challenging the sexism and misogyny in society?
I'm guessing their performances must include jibes at the gender pay gap, maternity provisions, poor gynaecology outcomes, differentials in pensions etc. ?

Why is there a spoiler tag added my MNHQ? The programme has already aired ffs.

For those who love the costumes, hair and glamour etc., why does the performance need to include the males pretending to be female? Why does being male/female need to come in to it?

I think the notion of any clothes, hairstyles or names belonging to one sex or the other is ridiculous. Therefore, I am not amused nor impressed by a male or female kitting themselves out in costumes that society labels as belonging to the other sex.

That's pretty obvious @Abbyk1980.

@AnyoneSomeone because someone complained early on that they hadn't seen it and the OP spoiled it for them

I never understand posts like this, because whilst women are not a race or culture, we are a whole sex class, and everything said about blackface applies to drag and the historic (and current) oppression of women.

What is drag if not deliberate sexism?

Will not be watching on catch up now , cannot stand all the drag being shoved down peoples throats

The drag acts I've seen in real life all were very sleazy and over the top sexual, the whole point was in "adult jokes" from someone who is obviously a guy dressed as a female. Weirdly, it was very popular performer in a proper working man pub in the very right leaning area. I think these sort of jokes would not work if performed by either straight men or females. It was like an outlet for the stull that would not otherwise be tolerated (like this guy openly grabbing men etc).

Other, more "above board" acts I've seen were fine, but still full of innuendo. I think its a big part of drag act - even in a pantomime. But otherwise I do find them entertaining, and sometimes they look stunning, they are amazing when it comes to make up. I love pantomime dames. I dont see it as anything other a type of performance, a theatre of a certain kind. But many of them are obviously not suitable for young children.

Educated discerning people would avoid drag like the plague.

It is cringeworthy, insulting to women, and is not entertaining in the slightest.

So who does that leave as fans?

Maybe you should look a little deeper into it then?

I watched one on TV once who was wafting his hand in front of his crutch saying 'fishy' or similar. I'd say that's a sexist and offensive act against women

Exactly.
Imagine if women suddenly started dressing up and portraying a trans woman to mock them. Would suddenly become an issue.

When you say "Woman isn't a culture" what do you mean by that? Isn't gender (as roles and stereotypes, not like gender ID) a "cultural marker of women"?

Isn't drag humour (being based on member of one sex class over doing parody of the other class) supposed to be sexist? If you take sexism out of drag, what remains?

Without getting too deep into the potential issues with drag, I think it’s just been rammed down our throats too much. It didn’t used to be mainstream until a few years ago (RuPaul) and then it is suddenly everywhere. There is very little critical thinking around this and if anyone dares express a less than positive opinion they are made out to be transphobic, or not ‘woke’ enough.

Nope nothing wrong with me, I’m very normal thank you very much. I just live in the real word where men are men, and putting on ridiculous make up and clothing does not mean a man becomes a woman, and can be called she.
I do not wish to see these deviants on my TV on Christmas Day, oh and in case you need it the definition of deviant is

departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviour.

Are you serious?

Why did the drag act on strictly have to compete in drag? Actors don’t compete as their character in a soap opera or athletes don’t dance in running gear. He was pretending to be a woman that I find offensive.

It doesn’t bother me. I don’t see it as an attack on women. I see it as a bit of humour. I loved the film Priscilla Queen desert it really made me a bit upset. I have watched RuPaul in the past. I’m a bit bored by it now but I like listening to them. I don’t find it an attack on women. I just find it an art form humorous sometimes and let be let live.

Absolutely disgusting so you are calling gay men that likeDressing up as women deviants now wow absolute wow and people say there isn’t any bigots about

Totally agree OP. I love Strictly but I didn't bother watching yesterday, I knew who would win because the BBC is mega biased towards anything drag.

Just because I’d like to educate you drag queens don’t believe they are women at all so get that in your head

I would also second that I dont see it as an attack on females. Drag acts are usually aiming to look beautiful, attractive, sassy and sexual. They are performers. What's wrong with that? They also never state they are actual women.

Because strangely some people were moaning they hadn't seen it yet.

I'm glad I don't watch any BCC programmes.

Well according to somebody that’s just replied to me they are a bunch of deviants. That’s a sort of people that comment on here.

I find the "skill and artistry" line puzzling too. Both of my adult children are involved to a greater or lesser degree in the theatre. Pretty sure either of them could pull off a drag look. They do much harder things on the stage!