Drag, drag, drag....

[Yarboosucks]

I have never been a particularly sensitive or active feminist, but all this drag rubbish on TV is getting to me. How at a time when rightly you could not broadcast in black face or similar is it OK to mock or at best caricature women so ridiculously?

I don't like it. We saw a drag performer at a children's festival in London last year. It involved spraying hairspray between their legs while they squatted.

So some men want to dress up and express themselves as women, so what?

How does one, particularly one who is male, 'express themselves as a woman'? What does that involve?

@Notimeforaname

I find it sinister and threatening; normalising queerness; so that the rest of the female population don’t kick-off when they see an odd bloke dressed as a lady in the loos in Budgens 😂 Sorry this made me laugh 🤣

I wonder if the 10 and 12 year old victims of Katie Dolatowski would find it funny? I mean, Katie favoured Asda and Morrisons, not Budgens, but still...

That's got nothing to do with drag Queens though?

I’m with you, OP. I’m sick of the sight of so many men in drag, on tv. I wish people with disabilities were as well supported by the woke brigade as males in woman face. I’ll believe that the companies and organisations are genuinely inclusive and actually care about supporting everyone when I see those who genuinely suffer because they’re part of a minority group, as well presented as male bodied people.

Many perfectly acceptable things (by other people's standards) creep me out and offend me in life ..

Many?

Go on, just give three examples, please.

@Quaagars

That's got nothing to do with drag Queens though?

How is a child meant to be able understand that?

I find it offensive.

And 'fishy' is as bad as 'ni**er' in my opinion.

I'm glad I don't have a telly.

@FluffyHippo

Drag is offensive and belittling towards women in exactly the same way that blackface is offensive and belittling towards black people.

In both, white males in a position of privilege dress up as and parody the physical characteristics of the disempowered - black people and women - for the purposes of mockery and 'entertainment'.

Just because drag queens are part of gay culture, it doesn't give them a free pass on misogyny. Just like a comedian's sexuality - hello, Matt Lucas! - doesn't give them the right to use blackface.

And this is all there is to say. Although I can’t believe how often I have to explain this to people (women mostly) on MN and IRL.

Many perfectly acceptable things (by other people's standards) creep me out and offend me in life

Many?

Go on, just give three examples, please.

Prostitution - I've been to several places where its legal, horrifying to see.

Lap dancing/stripping - a friend of mine was lost to that world or stripping and drugs.

And the killing of animals /eating of meat.
All these things thoroughly freak me out. But that's just me.

You happy with those answers SocialMedea

Anyway I accept other opinions, it doesn't bother me or make me angry that you disagree with drag. I happy you get the choice!
You just seem so worked up that I and many other people not only support drag but encourage it

Acceptance is a wonderful thing 😊

Why is it that men who seek to be their 'true selves' and find drag liberating do so through such exaggerated and offensive parodies of women?

Anyway I accept other opinions

Me too.

Oh upthread someone said why do lots of straight men enjoy drag.

I'd say it's because loads of men enjoy taking the piss out of women /seeing other men do it. Sexuality is irrelevant. They are all men and it's women being made fun of/ demeaned.

Why is it that men who seek to be their 'true selves' and find drag liberating do so through such exaggerated and offensive parodies of women?

Would you ever consider talking to a drag artist and asking them this directly?
I only say this because I'm close with people who do drag and none of them are 'seeking their true selves' through drag.
They know who they are. They were well educated performers and artists before they ever took part in drag. Drag isn't all they think about.
For some it's fun, for others it's a job.
Some perform weekly in venues, some perform only for charities or when requested at private functions. Most have been on TV at some point usually supporting charities and they tour a lot.

Its no different to most of their lives before drag, dancing, singing, acting, directing - though some have 'regular day jobs'- It actually takes up quite a small part of their lives.

I am in no way trying to force drag or drag ideals on anyone - I completely respect your your opinion! I just wanted to add in a little perspective on the day to day life of drag performers themselves.

So some men want to dress up and express themselves as women, so what?
It doesn't make me feel any less of a woman, I know I am one, am comfortable being one, why should what someone else does affect my "woman'ness?" (Not sure that's a word but you know what I mean lol)
Just be comfortable being you.

Would you say the same to people that are offended by white men dressing up as black men? I know people have pointed out the comparison before but I don't understand how one can condemn one and not the other. They are comparable in every way.

Would you say the same to people that are offended by white men dressing up as black men? I know people have pointed out the comparison before but I don't understand how one can condemn one and not the other. They are comparable in every way
No because its not the same thing, for me.

No because it's not the same thing for me

Why not?

I mean of course I'm offended by blackface! But no 'womanface' isn't a thing😂

Women dress in mens clothes, men dress in womans clothes. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Are drag kings acceptable to those who dont like drag queens? I'm genuinely wondering if it's the same feeling towards both?

Drag isn't just men dressed as women, it's a deliberate caricature based on comedy designed to parody real women. This is not a case of unisex clothes. Nobody is complaining about simply the concept of a man wearing a dress.

What about drag kings? Are they an outrage too?

Although I can’t believe how often I have to explain this to people (women mostly) on MN and IRL

Maybe because even though you find it offensive, a lot of others don't?
However many times you say it, it's not going to make it magically so for me and others too.