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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find drag queens offensive?

999 replies

MrsMummy500 · 12/12/2020 18:39

AIBU to find drag queens really bloody offensive?

I hate the term offensive, it’s bandied around far too often at far too insignificant things (am aware this may be one of them). BUT, men dressing up as some fetishised version of a man made ideal of a woman really pisses me off. Hyper hair, max make up, drink in hand, revealing clothes.

I do not know a single woman like that. It riles me and I feel like I’m unable to express it as women have lost so much of their space to LGBTQ+ community (I perceive this, I don’t say it as a fact).
potential bomb drop alert but if white people are taken down (rightly IMO) for ‘blacking up’ should it be acceptable for men to parody women in the form of drag queens.

Ps- I do not buy for one minute that they are celebrating the female form with balloon breasts. It feels more like a piss take.

OP posts:
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5
GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 22:52

@Quaagars how is an oppressive class, dressing up and being a ridiculous OTT caricature of the class they oppress, NOT appropriation?

Even if a drag Queen kept content PG for children, the very purpose of a drag Queen is for adult entertainment and humour, it's not something children would have any benefit from.

Personally I'd much rather actual women, women who've achieved something other than dressing up as the opposite sex and making Roy Chubby Brown jokes, to do story time with kids.

SionnachRua · 12/12/2020 22:52

I've wondered what Michelle Visage is

What do you mean by this?

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 22:55

[quote Campervan69]I remember last year a drag queen called Flow Job went into a school, took photos of the kids without the parents permission and uploaded them on the internet alongside some explicit stuff.

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/5320992/drag-queen-school-flow-job-pictures-children-parents/[/quote]
ShockShockShock

I'm a teacher. One child in our school has no phot consent whatsoever because her dad (who'd beaten her mum and served time for it) came out of prison, tried to abduct her and take her back to his hometown country. Her mum moved her from the other end of the U.K., and changed their names because whilst he got jailed it's clear that's not enough.

If her DD's photo ended up online it's a very very real risk to their safety. It's so important this doesn't happen.

What was this vile man thinking?! And also why didn't the teacher stop him?

Quaagars · 12/12/2020 22:55

I was wondering that too sionnaRua Confused
Glad it's not just me

Quaagars · 12/12/2020 22:57

Even if a drag Queen kept content PG for children, the very purpose of a drag Queen is for adult entertainment and humour, it's not something children would have any benefit from

It could maybe show that people can dress how they like?

GoldfishParade · 12/12/2020 22:57

No. Its disgusting and ridiculous and I'm still struggling to understand why it is that BAME gets taken so seriously and women dont.

ReefTeeth · 12/12/2020 22:57

Yes!

It's always felt like an insult to women. Look at me pretending to be a woman who's bitchy, rude, dressed ridiculously and as fake as they come Hmm

It IS offensive *OP"

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 22:57

@SionnachRua

I've wondered what Michelle Visage is

What do you mean by this?

Your quite has been taken out of context. The sentence was "I've wondered what Michelle Visage is for".
GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 22:58

It could maybe show that people can dress how they like

There are better ways than appropriation.

Also that's not how they dress, it's an act. Which is completely contrary to the concept of being yourself

Campervan69 · 12/12/2020 22:58

It was unbelievable the teachers allowed it. I think the rainbow wash excuses everything. The parents were accused of homophobia by SMP Mhairi Black who also said they were probably the type of parents who would buy the kids GTA.... I think the kids were as young as 6! So insulting and wrong.

ReefTeeth · 12/12/2020 23:00

Oh my Yes! Was yes you are right, it's offensive.

Not yes yabu.

Sanitizerscomingtotown · 12/12/2020 23:00

When a disenfranchised group is mocked/appropriated by a group with power, it is unacceptable. I would love for the term 'womanface' to gain legitimacy so we could openly confront the misogyny it entails.

We won't though, not in the current climate because God forbid we can't take a joke while the boot stamps on our faces.

VestaTilley · 12/12/2020 23:00

Agree completely. It’s “woman face” pure and simple. Offensive and degrading to women. Misogyny dressed up as comedy. I hate it.

Quaagars · 12/12/2020 23:01

I've never understood the point of it, its pathetic and I've wondered what Michelle Visage is for many a time as well

This was the quote, and that can be read two ways then, and I'm clearly not the only one to think so.

I've wondered what Michelle Visage is for
(meaning what? In relation to the drag queen? Are you alluding to a handmaiden or something?)

Or
I've wondered what Michelle Visage is - for many a time as well.
As in for a long time wondered what she is.

GoldfishParade · 12/12/2020 23:02

You have to wonder too: why do drag queens get so much air time compared to drag kings? Why are they inherently FUNNIER?

Why do drag kings feel slightly awkward, but drag queens theres this sense, before the spectacle has even started, that you're meant to approve?

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 23:02

Yep @Sanitizerscomingtotown and they even have a name for those of us who won't take this shit any more - Karen. We are Karen, no debate or discussion, just a load of people half our age thinking they know better because they're "woke".

SionnachRua · 12/12/2020 23:03

Your quite has been taken out of context. The sentence was "I've wondered what Michelle Visage is for".

I'd still ask "what do you mean?" to that too. If you watch the show it's quite clear that Michelle is a good friend of Ru. She talks about her history with the LGBT community quite a bit. If you're not a frequent viewer, I'd wonder why she stands out to you...you could ask the same about Carson or Ross (the other returning judges).

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 23:03

@GoldfishParade

You have to wonder too: why do drag queens get so much air time compared to drag kings? Why are they inherently FUNNIER?

Why do drag kings feel slightly awkward, but drag queens theres this sense, before the spectacle has even started, that you're meant to approve?

Smells like male entitlement!
GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/12/2020 23:03

@SionnachRua I don't actually know who Michelle Visage is, never heard of him but I think the sentence was quite clear.

SionnachRua · 12/12/2020 23:05

[quote GlummyMcGlummerson]@SionnachRua I don't actually know who Michelle Visage is, never heard of him but I think the sentence was quite clear. [/quote]
It clearly wasn't, given that other posters are interpreting it differently to you.

And the pronoun is "her", btw.

Campervan69 · 12/12/2020 23:05

I hated drag when I was 20 as well if that helps? Used to go out to the Gay Village in Manchester and find it really intimidating when the ladies was invaded by 6 foot 6 inch (in their heels) men in wigs and sequins. And the acts were crap. Insulting and untalented.

Quaagars · 12/12/2020 23:06

I don't actually know who Michelle Visage is, never heard of him

Clearly not, as she's a she, not a him!

Campervan69 · 12/12/2020 23:06

GlummyMcGlummerson Michelle Visage is female.

Ingridla · 12/12/2020 23:15

It was meant as in what is she (famous) for? I've seen her on various celeb / reality type shows but I don't get how hanging a round with drag queens equals a celebrity/ tv personality or whatever she is, ie, styles herself as. HTH

Ingridla · 12/12/2020 23:16

*around