Aibu to not like drag Queens?

[Draggedalong1]

And why don’t I? To me there is something intimidating and scary in the make up, and harsh glamour, parodied until it’s ugly and I think, aggressive. I remember going to drag shows long again in the 90s and they seemed to be a bit of fun and almost innocent compared to whatever it is about ru Paul et al. Nothing wrong with a bit of dame Edna from what I remember as a kid. What’s the reasoning behind this new style I wonder, and aibu?

I love the outrageousness and the way they push boundaries.

What boundaries are they pushing? How to ridicule, demean and insult women, yay, way to go, how very progressive.

the other clue that drag is sexist and misogynist - female drag queens get a LOT of shit.

They've even been accused of 'cultural appropriation':

'Lacey Lou, Birmingham's first professional female drag artist, says:

'There are a lot of male drag queens who think drag is only for men. But, it's really the idea of playing on gender,' she said.

'There is a lot of misogyny in the gay community, which I found really surprising when I started working as a drag queen. You would expect a suppressed community to understand what it feels like to be disregarded.''

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5564761/FEMALE-drag-queens-accused-cultural-appropriation-male-performers.html

@Notimeforaname

I'm sure your friend is a lovely person but that doesn't make drag OK

It's not ok for you. Yes I totally respect that. It's here though and not going anywhere for the moment.

In fact it's only getting more popular.

I could never liken it to blackface at all, it doesn't compute with me.

But I understand some dont like it. That's life !

Racism and misogyny is getting 'more popular' too (due to Brexit which I'd wager you voted for). What's your point, @Notimeforaname other than you like to be on the side of racist misogynists and on the wrong side of history?

@Notimeforaname

Drag queen fans - what’s the difference between black face and drag? Both mocking parodies of an oppressed group by oppressors for laughs. I can’t see the difference

Not every drag performer is 'being a woman' some dress as men, some as aliens, some are just wearing garments and make up they enjoy designing or creating.
It's not just to 'be a woman' it's an expression of their creativity and a chance to perform on stage with the costumes and music they like. Some sing,some dance. Theres a lot more to it for drag artists.

But again, I completely understand some people hate it. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

@Notimeforaname Just as Al Jolson and The Minstrels were 'an expression of creativity' for it's time....

I find it really scary and threatening. Can't really voice why, I just do.

@AngelicaElizaAndPeggy because it's like being offered a beautiful box of chocolates and finding they're laced with glass.

If you run through the equalities act and the protected characteristics - no other group is lampooned and mocked by people outside of that group in mainstream society. Correct me if I’m wrong…

You don’t get a special form of comedy where non-disabled people exaggerate disability for comic effect do you?

But with women, banks use it for advertising and you can’t get away from it on the BBC.

@Jellykat

I love drag, the feathers, sequins, thigh hi boots, extreme make up, bloody fantastic!.. I adore the imagery of films like 'Priscilla queen of the desert', Rocky Horror (god i fancied Tim Curry in that) god i'd love to be a drag queen!! but then my upbringing and years studying fashion has made me love in yer face camp glamour, and the humour that goes with it.. As a woman i've never found it offensive whatsoever..

@Jellykat So I guess you don't find Anna Bortion , Miss Carriage or Molestia Child offensive either? Or referring to women as fishy? So you don't find any of these offensive or sexist? Do you ever think below the shallow surface?

JonBenet Blonde, a name that references a child who was sexually abused and murdered, also pushes the boundaries. As do the people who book his act.

That's a very good analogy @100problems

It really is awful that misogyny isn't a hate crime. I can't understand how it's not, other than the people (men!) in power don't give a shit about women and even if they did, the crime stats would go through the roof so the people in power wouldn't want that either!

@Notimeforaname The power differential between mocking women, and mocking men is very, very, very vast. I am surprised by your ignorant comment. It's like asking if 'whiteface is allowed here'

That's only if you view it as mocking. And I definitely don't.

I love drag. I've performed in many shows.
But totally understand some hate it. That's ok.

How can it possibly be unreasonable? Different people have different senses of humour. Some of them are definitely funnier than others.

I had not heard of the names that drag queens used - I find these in very poor taste and offensive. Whilst in general I think that we shouldn't police comedy and allow freedom I find it so insulting that so much is not now allowed due to the woke type agenda yet names like these are. Its just double standards and increasingly shows how warped things have become

Just as Al Jolson and The Minstrels were 'an expression of creativity' for it's time....

I don't equate the two. It's not the same thing for me. But I respect your opinion nonetheless.

I don't like drag.
Creepy.

What's your point, @Notimeforaname other than you like to be on the side of racist misogynists and on the wrong side of history?

My point was, some people like some things, others don't and that's grand!

I can respect your opinion on something and you can think I'm ''on the side of racist and misogynist'' for mine. That's all fine. I'm happy living in a world of differing tastes and opinions.

It's ok to disagree. Drag is legal and I enjoy it. No harm done for me.

I'm so happy to find out this isn't just my gut reaction to drag queens! I've been made to feel I'm somehow being offensive by disliking them. The point about their names for example being demeaning to women, is really interesting. I don't tend to voice this opinion because the reaction I've had in the past was so negative. Really glad it's not just me!

I've been made to feel I'm somehow being offensive by disliking them

That's awful.

Nobody should he shamed or made to feel bad about something they like or dont like.

be*

I think drag is massively misunderstood. It's not about demoralising and degrading woman. It's about creating an alternative character. Not all drag artists become woman - drag has evolved to beyond that now and you will find some artists choose fantasy characters or non-gender specific roles.

It's also evolved beyond your typical drag show - it's not all about sharing dirty jokes etc . Some focus on a look, others specialise in make - up. It's really changed over the years and celebrates difference.

@Poppy101010

I think drag is massively misunderstood. It's not about demoralising and degrading woman. It's about creating an alternative character. Not all drag artists become woman - drag has evolved to beyond that now and you will find some artists choose fantasy characters or non-gender specific roles.

It's also evolved beyond your typical drag show - it's not all about sharing dirty jokes etc . Some focus on a look, others specialise in make - up. It's really changed over the years and celebrates difference.

@Poppy101010 No, the problem is drag is seen for what it is by many people. When you have drag names like Anna Bortion , Miss Carriage and Molestia Child, as well as calling each other 'fishy', it is more than obvious to all other than the shallowest surface lookers what it is about. It's no different from blackface. Drag is a deeply, deeply offensive, sexist, misogynistic, femphobic hatred and mockery of women. Those that have the ability to look below the surface see it for the deeply offensive act of oppression it is.

What we are trying to highlight @Notimeforaname is the point at which the sequins, feathers and being Chandler's dad stops, and the part where the act called Miss Carriage steps on stage. You can see the difference is like the analogy being drawn with blackface? At what point does the laughter stop?

Now imagine a comedy blackfaced "act" getting up and laying into black people as all the revolting stereotypes you can think of.

We can agree to disagree, but we can all acknowledge there's a point where the laughter stops.

@Notimeforaname I wonder what your view would be if you didn't have friends in the drag scene so didn't feel a loyalty or obligation to support it. If you had friends that performed blackface, I genuinely believe you would find a way to defend that too. I feel that you are purposely blocking out the reality because to do otherwise would perhaps make your friendships untenable so you need to go along with it.

On every drag thread here the same 3 most shocking drag names are used over and over again.

Theres a lot more to drag than those 3 characters.

Most people like comedy but some comedians are too much for some people and some are offended by things others wouldn't be. I understand. I am simply not offended nor worried by drag but I understand others are.

But nobody should be shamed for liking or disliking something perfectly legal.

ClaudiaJ1, bugger off with your 'do you ever think below the shallow surface'.. Ive had many many jokes about fish from my gay mates, and give as good as i get, its humour love..