To wonder if a lot of people are still against drag ?

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Shows like Drag Race have become incredibly popular. I have tickets to see the live show in May, and I think drag culture is amazing. It shows how far we have come that such a show is so popular on TV, and I think it should be celebrated.
I asked some friends if they wanted to come to the show with me and they very firmly and quickly told me that they were not fans of that sort of stuff.
When I was a teenager, I used to think Drag Queens were just some middle-aged men on Canal street with a blonde wig and high heels, and I was quite intimidated and scared of them in a way. I wonder if some people still feel that way, and don't judge them for it, just curious.

Grown men dressing up as a caricatures of women. Misogynistic, unpleasant, cruel and completely unfunny.
Not something I'd pay money to see.

Like some other posters, I used to be perfectly happy with men in drag in the past. I also spent a lot of time in Canal Street in the 90s where there would be plenty of drag queens on a Friday and Saturday night. I also had a couple of work team nights out at the drag place in Blackpool which is a really bizarre place for a work (paid for) event.

I’ve completed changed my mind now and find it misogynistic and akin to ‘womanface’. ‘How is Drag a celebration of women’ seems to be the same as ‘what does feeling like a woman actually mean?’ ie people say it but when challenged, can’t come up with a decent explanation!

I too have come to have my doubts about it. I admire the skill some of the men have in make up, dancing, costume making etc but the actual concept of replicating a very sexist stereotyped version of women doesn't sit well.

I wouldn’t want to go either. I’m not against drag I just don’t find it entertaining 🤷‍♀️

Surely people just have different interests/tastes?

I haven't watched Drag Race and have no interest in going to a drag show. I am repulsed by men dressed and made up as women.

I love it, love drag race!
Bianca del rio is amazing BTW

Would you like it if they brought back minstrel shows?

Drag is sexist claptrap. Men in dresses, wigs and makeup, shrieking in mockery of women. How fucking progressive....

I don't understand it and it makes me feel uncomfortable.

The suggestion that it's to 'celebrate' women and because they respect us is absurd.

I dont see what it achieves.

It's not them "being their true selves" either.

I don't have an issue with transgender people. I don't have an issue with men who like to wear women's clothes but still be men, either. I do have an issue with drag queens because I think it's weird and unnecessary.

It's a tough one and I think it is intrinsically tied up with transgender recognition and awareness.

I hope that the stereotypical drag queen comperes of the late 20th century gay scene are dying out- although they still pop up in provincial towns and cities now. They were quite often horrendously sexist and cruel and are being called out by more and more of the LGBTQ community.

The same also should apply to the mainstream straight comedians- from Les Dawson to Dick Emery and Little Britain. There was little respect for the women they parody- although I do have a little sentimental fondness for Sissy and Ada.

But I defy anyone watching Pose or Everyone's taking about Jamie to find anything offensive. The message is about equality and oppression and being yourself.

And it's surely important to recognize that drag and the early 20th century drag culture often stemmed from the most marginalised communities. LGBTQ people of colour, the working class. the disenfranchised

Drag itself I don't have a problem with but having watched some of RuPaul's Drag Race what I cannot stand is the way they talk to each other.

It's so aggressive and bitchy and not like any female group I've ever belonged to. I resent the idea that this is how they think women behave as that's my personal interpretation of the behaviour.
So much unnecessary derogatory language.

Serious question for the people who say drag queens celebrate women. Can you explain how?

I think the issue with them doing shows in libraries is that they don't always tone it down enough (or pretty much entirely as they should) to make it suitable for kids.

We had a drag performer at one of the library activities and it was absolutely fine (though I missed the performance itself, but chatted to him in character IYKWIM) and it was just a guy wearing makeup and women's clothes (well, a boiler suit as that's what the outfit was) who was acting. Nothing sexualised or inappropriate.

I'm happy for men to wear 'women's' clothes or makeup, not a fan of the misogynistic undertone and hope it'll disappear from the scene.

OP, in what way do you feel drag "celebrates" women?

OP you've come to the wrong place to ask this question. Does society in general hate drag? No. Does a lot of mumsnet hate drag? Yes.
Most people probably don't have strong feelings either way. FWIW I like it.

*I absolutely hate drag.

Minstrel shows are not allowed.
Pretending to be disabled for laughs? Absolutely not.

The way that men, regardless of their sexual persuasion, get free reign to make a caricature of women, showcasing all of the things we are told to keep a lid on, and get laughs and praise for it really pisses me off.

Women have been shamed for so long for being overly sexual. For swearing. For wearing revealing outfits and a lot of makeup. But put a wig on a man and he can do it.

With cultural appropriation being such a massive issue in this day and age it just baffles me that we let the equivalent run wild.*

This is what I think. Awful, tacky and sexist.

something else that made me think we have gone backwards...

all this criticism of Jameela Jamil for being a judge on a voguing show.

When Madonna was voguing, I don't recall anyone complaining that she was straight so why does JJ get so much hassle?

PS there are some drag kings who just look like me going to a formal event!

I hate drag queens.

Their sarcasm is NOT humour. They're not funny. I think they're pathetic and their followers.

Despite repeated questions on this thread about how exactly drag "celebrates and respects" women, none of the "I love it!" posters seem to be able to explain these claims.

Sorry op but I am another who hates drag. I genuinely don't understand why anyone would watch it. I have no issue with genuine transgender people, but men dressing up as women just to make money/ get a cheap laugh? No, just no.

I'm not against it in the slightest, but I don't find it interesting as entertainment.

I think its recent popularity may be down to the same fear of missing out that makes shows like Love Island, Come Dancing, Game of Thrones, Bake Off etc. popular - that is, 'everyone' seems to be talking about them, so others get caught up in the hype and don't want to be the silent one at the water cooler.

If I had to sum drag up in one word, that word would be "spite".
It's spiteful, mean spirited, and a truly nasty stereotyping of women by men who don't have a clue. There's not an ounce of kindness in any of it. It's grotesque. Quite why it's okay to put on "womanface" and perform a set filled with misogynistic stereotypes is absolutely beyond comprehension. To have it applauded by the butt of the jokes.....there must be something in the water. It'll be "kill my mother in law" jokes next, won't it?

I could be totally wrong but I feel like drag in inspiring a trend for heavy make up and a style of dress among straight women as well.

so I see it's massively influential but I guess I'm neutral - I can't see what the "celebrating women" thing is in this.

In my experience straight people just don't 'get' drag, or the history or culture behind it. It was never meant for straights, and now has gone mainstream unfortunately.
I think it should be left to us queers.