Rupaul's Drag Race

[radiateforme]

I've watched this for years. Aways loved it. I've just finished watching the most recent series and am starting to feel differently about it. This has probably been discussed a lot on here before but wanted to post my unbiased opinion and see if I'm in a majority or not. It just feels odd that things like blackface are quite rightly offensive, but men can almost caricature women, pick and choose the bits they like, take the piss out of our 'huge tits' and do things that gain them praise that women would be slated for. I dunno, I feel upset at myself for watching it for so long and lapping it up. Does anyone else feel like this? How do I gracefully change my opinion amongst my friends / family? I feel a bit ashamed for not seeing this before.

I used to love Drag Race. I also used to think there was zero issue with gender and feminist were just kicking up a fuss about nothing.

DR is hugely misogynistic and gender ideology is a big problem in society. You'll have people along in a moment though to defend gay men's right to be sexist, because unlike straight male sexism this is 'culture'.

YANBU for thinking this, YABU only for not coming to this conclusion sooner.

Drag is the same thing as blackface - people from a group with power making a ridiculous caricature of a group with less power than them.

My guess is that it is allowed because of the transgender angle - the idea being that it must be fine because drag actors are often homosexual and therefore "good". There isn't a similar argument that can be used over blackface.

@skirk64

YANBU for thinking this, YABU only for not coming to this conclusion sooner.

Drag is the same thing as blackface - people from a group with power making a ridiculous caricature of a group with less power than them.

My guess is that it is allowed because of the transgender angle - the idea being that it must be fine because drag actors are often homosexual and therefore "good". There isn't a similar argument that can be used over blackface.

There was a straight drag artist on the first season of uk drag race. I honestly think that I just ignored the issue because it's still ok for it to be on mainstream media. I do feel pretty angry at myself.

Surely your friends and family won’t grill you if they ask whether you’ve seen the latest episode and you say no?

Most people would accept that answer, unless they’re spoiling for an argument.

I loathe it, and as for the term 'fishy'...

You could just say exactly what you've said here, your friends/family should respect your right to change your mind about something. I'm sure they wouldn't really care that you don't want to watch it anymore. I still love it but I totally respect and understand other points of view.

I'll be honest. I've never watched it. It's never been even remotely appealing to me. What I've heard about it hasn't made me want to watch, either.

I'd just stop watching, and if someone asks why, tell them. They don't have to agree with you. If your friends/family are "superfans", they may get a bit defensive, especially if they feel you're judging them for enjoying it, but they can hardly force you to watch.