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.

Nice to see some disagreement with the ridiculous term 'woman face ' for once.
Drags the same as any comedy; some are funny and some aren't. Some look amazing, some do not.
There's a group on here that like to say women must be idiots if they don't agree with their point of view and that's far from the feminism they clam to promote
Happy Boxing Day all

Exactly

I’ve always viewed drag as a commentary on the artifice of gendered behaviour (not sex) and the expectations placed on women. It highlights how bizarre and ridiculous things like make up and high heels are - and ridicules the artificiality of western society’s expectations of how women should look. Personally as a woman I don’t find it offensive in the slightest. Obviously some people do, but we don’t have a right not to be offended.

What's the appeal then? Please explain.

Ahh yes, also if a woman disagrees well it must be internalised misogyny and not a genuine opinion.
Women that disagree can't think for themselves apparently

I've never liked drag. I find it misogynistic and crass; men acting up to the worst stereotypes of women. They're Woman Clowns and can get lost.

Firstly, I’m not shouting. Secondly I just get very very angry with bigots and people will try to pass it off as it’s a feminism thing. It really isn’t. It said bigoted thing just like many on this far unfortunately that’s the way of society is going back in a day 10 years ago we had Lily Savage. We had quite a lot of drag queens on people weren’t fuss but obviously now we’ve got all these people saying oh it’s parody of women. Oh it’s disgusting. It really isn’t but that’s where we’re at now. we’re in a snowflake culture full of people like yourself Who side with people on the right? Who actually do you want to cancel shit?

@AlisonDonut ask some of the many people (including wonen) that love it 🤷🏻‍♀️

It shows children that people can do what they want to do be who they want to be and there is no judgement

what, of men who think mocking women is funny? I'm judging them

There is such a thing as internalised misogyny. Someone attacking women so offensively and aggressively for speaking their truth on a woman led forum would perhaps fit that bill.

Is what I said. If you like it fine, just don't attack other women who hate it.

So calling themselves Anna Bortion is a commentary on the artifice of gendered behaviour how?

@Workingclasslass I’m not sure anyone came on here to argue. I think you’ve been doing that all by yourself. I actually found some of your posts funny because you seem to find it difficult to accept that people have a different opinion to you and so you are being quite forceful in pushing your opinion onto others.

Exactly I am actually very strong advocate for women very strong people. Don’t understand that I’ve got a big mouth and you won’t shut me up and I am not a big worshipper of men. However, this isn’t the hill to die on and it just is comedy and quite frankly I think it’s great you might not like it that’s fine but then for the people to compare it to black face it’s damn right disgusting that is disgusting because black people have really suffered.

I see it as one of the saddest things on the box or in real life.

Dressing up as a woman is clearly a need for some of these and I find it pretty insulting to be honest.

It's all so hackneyed and a massive cliche.

Oh, I totally accept you guys have different opinions and I’m glad I come across forceful because I can’t stand people that are bigoted. Maybe then people wouldn’t assume that I am a man that I worship men because I’m a real strong person and I’m the sort of person that will stand in your face and say it I don’t hide behind the keyboard and I’m not middle class like some people are on this forum that seemed to be. Let’s say these little tiny opinions and it’s okay because we’re doing it online. I don’t agree with that. I think if you’re quite happy to say it say it to peoples faces.

Women have also really suffered and are again in this modern time period really suffering because of the actions of men.

Look at Afghanistan.

I've never seen a drag act in person but I have enjoyed watching Ru Paul's Drag Race on TV for years. It's a feel good show with different personalities to root for like other reality TV shows but with the added interest of seeing how they cope with different tasks. My favourite episodes tend to be where they have to dress up/impersonate celebrities and make them funny with improv. Good fun.

Can you explain what the appeal is for you though?

good reply and I get the gendered aspect, that's interesting

I still think the reason it's supposed to be so funny is about sex though - these are the things women wear, so it's completely hilarious when men do it - that's sex not gender

But I see drag queens as gay men who are also persecuted. I don’t see them as a sort of men going round in Afghanistan shutting women up. It’s not even comparable.

I did the very same thing, someone recommended it as being very funny, not to me.

Making fun of women, yes a great art form

Drag is men parodying women. That is what it is. You may like it, you may not, but it is performance art where the oppressor (men) dress up as and mimic those they oppress (women).

It's not about being gay at all, just because some well known drag artists are gay and it was big on the gay scene doesn't mean all drag artists are gay or that women who dislike drag are homophobic.

I give a shit.
There's always been a broad 'rule' in comedy that only a member of a minority group can utilise humour directed at or about that minority. Current Drag Queen culture subverts that 'rule'. The costumes, the make-up, the psuedo-female identities are used to pedal misogyny and demean women.
There are of course comedians that don't accept that 'rule' like Frankie Boyle and Ricky Gervaise etc. But they are ecumenical in their targets. They don't hide behind a parody of their target.

It’s not that it’s appealing sometimes I find it funny. Sometimes I admire how they’re amazing at make up better than I could ever be but sometimes I look at them and think wow they’re just amazing to look at. I like the humour cause sometimes they’re really naughty and they get away with stuff that possibly other performers wouldn’t It’s to me is that I don’t like the attacks on them when I think it’s unjustified we’ve already had on this thread people trying to compare them to child abuse that is such a fucking cliche when it’s disgusting. I just haven’t got a problem with them either way I will live or take them. I just don’t hate them