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Original poster

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

743 replies

INXS998 · 12/02/2020 21:41

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.

OP posts:
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AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:37

Pootle but a lot of gay people don't get it either.

I'm still unclear on what queer means now. How is Jameela Jamil queer for example?

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:38

They aren't trying to be 'women' they're drag queens and there is a difference.

MimiLaRue · 13/02/2020 10:38

Drag is vile and as a woman, I find it deeply offensive.
The way femininity is portrayed is absolutely horrible and you would never get away with portraying any other oppressed group in such a revolting manner.

Its horrible.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 13/02/2020 10:39

I don’t like it at all. It’s not a celebration of women, it’s a parody and an unkind one at that. It relies on excess and stereotyping. How is it different from the Black and White Minstrels in blackface?

I also really really resent that it focuses on female appearance as a defining characteristic of womanhood. Being a woman is yet again reduced to hair, make up, dresses and shoes. Women are not women because they wear high heels or false eyelashes so stop perpetuating that deeply misogynistic process where men define womanhood through external appearances.

Baaaahhhhh · 13/02/2020 10:39

I just find it very uncomfortable viewing.
I think they are somehow creepy and disturbing. Akin to clowns, they are covering up their true selves with grotesque caricature.
I don't like pantomime dames either. Just weird.

MimiLaRue · 13/02/2020 10:40

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

Well said- couldn't have worded this better. This sums up my feelings exactly.

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:40

'How is Jameela Jamil queer for example?

She sleeps with women. If she prefers 'queer' to lesbian or bisexual then that's her call. But you know she's not a drag queen, right?? She's a woman??

ItsAllTheDramaMickIJustLoveIt · 13/02/2020 10:41

I never had an opinion on drag until I started watching Rupaul’s drag race now I love it as does my daughter (12).

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:41

Pootle "They aren't trying to be 'women' they're drag queens and there is a difference."

there is a difference. When I used to meet them regularly in clubs, I had no issue. But my gay friend did.

I don't watch the current shows so I don't know what they're like. But linked up to self ID, it does get a bit, hang on,what's happening here?

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:42

Pootle

so she's a lesbian or bi....(I thought she had a boyfriend)

are you saying it's just terminology? if that's the case, why did she have to explain "I'm queer" to defend her new job? Why was it not okay for her to just have the job?

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:45

Also I don't get this "it's so important to accept men wearing make up etc".

This was fine when I was much younger and doing the rounds of clubs. There wasn't a problem with it.

As a non-white woman, I feel like it's another thing that wasn't an issue and then a bunch of people decided to make it an issue again. And suddenly I am asked to explain my "heritage" again, when that shit went away ages ago.

everybodyshowlove2020 · 13/02/2020 10:49

I don't ever remember the Minstrels standing up for black people?... saying how strong and powerful they are? I don't remember them celebrating black people and can only believe a white person would use this to defend their hate for drag.

It's absolutely ridiculous to compare the two.

Also drag queens don't just dress up as pretty women or mock them. There are many different styles and there are many women who wear drag too.

I fully understand people may not enjoy or like drag but the reasons on here seemed to be based on watching one episode or without any actual knowledge.

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:49

'so she's a lesbian or bi....(I thought she had a boyfriend)

are you saying it's just terminology? if that's the case, why did she have to explain "I'm queer" to defend her new job? Why was it not okay for her to just have the job?'

She was getting a load of sh%t for judging a queer ballroom show as a 'straight' non dancing woman. So she said - actually I am queer.

I have no idea about her boyfriend situ, but bisexual women do generally sleep with men and women and famous, closeted people do often have a handsome/pretty person of the opposite gender on their arm publicly to keep themselves closeted.

AngelsSins · 13/02/2020 10:51

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

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

Is that acceptable too? If not, why?

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:52

ANd 'ballroom' people do still think she shouldn't be involved as she's not from that underground culture apparently...

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:52

Pootle "She was getting a load of sh%t for judging a queer ballroom show as a 'straight' non dancing woman. So she said - actually I am queer"

so it would be absolutely unacceptable for a heterosexual person to be a judge on that show?

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:53

AngelsSins - wise up!
There are deffo downsides to straight people being more aware of LGBTQ+ culture, as well as some benefits on the acceptance side.

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:54

x post

re ballroom culture

one thing I've found, trying to sell creative work as a non-white woman, is that people make all kinds of assumptions about your "culture". what would be enough, in terms of receipts, to say "I come FROM that particular culture" I wonder? Just pondering out loud.

one poster on MN said to me "you can't blame people for focusing on your race - race is sexy".

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:54

Pootle "She was getting a load of sh%t for judging a queer ballroom show as a 'straight' non dancing woman. So she said - actually I am queer"

so it would be absolutely unacceptable for a heterosexual person to be a judge on that show?'

I have NO idea, and I don't really care! I'm just telling you what was reported and how she why she came out. It's not exactly Strictly...

AutumnRose1 · 13/02/2020 10:55

Pootle if you don't give us any information, it's kind of hard to "wise up".

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 10:56

'Jameela Jamil has come out as queer.

The "Good Place" star took to Twitter on Wednesday to officially reveal her sexuality. The personal reveal comes after HBO Max announced that she would be involved in a "9-episode unscripted voguing competition series." The casting prompted many in the LBGTQ community to voice their displeasure, claiming that the show should be filled with members of its community.'

This is how it's been reported...

AngelsSins · 13/02/2020 10:56

AngelsSins - wise up!
There are deffo downsides to straight people being more aware of LGBTQ+ culture, as well as some benefits on the acceptance side

So basically you can’t answer my question at all? And by the way I’m bi, and don’t agree with you at all, gay men don’t get a free pass on misogynistic behaviour.

CaribouCarafe · 13/02/2020 10:58

Generally speaking I think Drag King shows tend to be a lot more nuanced than Drag Queen shows.

I've seen some brilliant Drag Kings who uses their shows to highlight toxic masculinity and its effect on women, cast light on womens' complex relationships with their own bodies, discuss class/sex/gender/ethnicity issues and dissect political narratives concerning the above. Some of the drag kings I've seem are true artists and really take a lot of time to hone their craft.

However the majority of drag queens I've seen have been less nuanced - more geared around lip syncing and patter with the audience. But this may just be due to the fact that it's become more mainstream and drag queens are default with drag kings being very much in the minority.

Frothybothie · 13/02/2020 10:59

Hate it - mocking women, obscene parodying of female characteristics, camp, overtly sexual - I do not like this as entertainment and feel it offensive.

It is nothing to do with being a male homesexual - a male homesexual is a man who is attracted to men. If SOME male homesexuals like the concept of drag fine - if some women who are female homesexuals like drag - equally fine. If straight people of either sex like it - fine as well.

It is moocking - I feel it is mocking. I understand that a hate incident is when the victim feels they are targetted.

Pootlepootlepootle · 13/02/2020 11:00

Pootle if you don't give us any information, it's kind of hard to "wise up".

What info do you want?? That was directed at the poster comparing drag to blackface.

Google history of drag if you want more info... personally I think it's dying a death now straight people are paying attention.

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