Drag Show at school

[Iliveonahill]

My child’s secondary school, as part of Pride week, has an age appropriate drag show tomorrow afternoon.

Im really not comfortable with this. The drag shows I have seen over the years have mocked women and are really just a “woman face” show. Why is it appropriate in terms of inclusiveness and diversity to mock 51% of the population and in a school?

Aren't age appropriate drag queens just pantomime dames? Can't see the issue if that's the case.

The whole thing is going to completely back fire if it hasn't already.

Gay people fought for years to not be seen as perverts and to be able to do jobs like being a dr or a teacher without parents worrying about them being around children.

Now, when ever schools want to show support for gay people they invite someone called flow job in to talk to kids.

This is not what gay people wanted is it? It's un done all tbe work

You should suggest the school has a Black and White Minstrels show during Black History Month. After all, it's a celebration of black music and musicians isn't it?

Nothing says inclusion like white men becoming the face of diversity

I do hope the sister girls' school is doing age appropriate stripping? Sorry, burlesque.

Maybe they're having age appropriate firemen strippers in or something too?

I just spoke to my 17 year old about it. His first comment was that it’s age appropriate in Avery defensive tone.

So we talked about how can drag be age appropriate. I then used the above examples of black face yet it’s ok to put on women’s clothes and mock women. You know what he actually said “I hadn’t thought of that but yes you are right”.

These kids just need this indoctrination to stop.

I would talk to the school, emails can be ignored.

I'm glad you spoke with your son and he accepted the view you expressed.

I can’t speak to the school. My son would disown me. The school has a habit of naming and shaming parents who complain in class discussions etc. I once emailed about homework and it was raised in my son’s class by his tutor that a parent had asked for more HW. My son knew it was me and so did his friends.

I have an email account that doesn’t disclose my name.

yes I know this is wrong. But I’m not alone in feeling like this.

I share that video of Kitty Demure every time somebody starts wanging on about how drag is soooo fun and inclusive and of course it's fine for kids. Just fucking no. It's adult entertainment. Not my idea of adult entertainment but that's what it is nonetheless. "Oh it's 2022" - and?

If you like watching drag, then crack on and pay for it. That is your choice. Children, on the other hand, shouldn't have to sit there and watch it involuntarily.

Trust the school for it to be age appropriate celebration of an aspect of gay culture, one which can disrupt the toxic masculinity that damages women far, far more. For men to be able to dress up, step into "our" shoes (although ridiculous versions) and laugh at themselves is no bad thing. Yes drag is often inappropriate, it can be toned down like most forms of entertainment.

Comparing it to blackface is offensive. For one drag is one oppressed and persecuted group as women are, the power dynamic is different and yes that makes a difference. Gay people and those who perform drag are far more likely to be allies to women and feminists, the gay men I know who do drag certainly are.

Like a certain brand of feminism too busy bickering with other marginalised groups whilst the real patriarchy, who would never dream of singing a song in high heels are the real ones making our lives miserable. I don't understand this type of feminism that men should be the stereotype bloke. It damages us all. You should be proud of your son, it sounds like you should take his views into account.

I think I may be thinking of the same place. I don't like drag because I find it offensive to women. I have no issue whatsoever with males wearing traditionally feminine clothing /make up. I just don't feel comfortable with pretending to be a different group of people for entertainment.

THIS

Maybe they're having age appropriate firemen strippers in or something too?

I suppose I could volunteer to help out for the event....

@Iliveonahill it'll be interesting to see what they reply!

I don't understand this type of feminism that men should be the stereotype bloke.

There are undoubtedly people who think old fashioned gender stereotypes should be rigidly enforced, you know the sort, people who think that if your are not a walking stereotype you must be the opposite sex "trapped in the wrong body".

I don't know anyone who thinks men should be stereotypical blokes, the company I keep is far too progressive for that kind of crap but equally I don't keep company with people who think it's fine for gender non conforming men to parody women.

Yanbu.Highly inappropriate. They need to focus on academics not all this,woke bullshit

Drag can be really good. As long as it's age appropriate I don't see the issue. Mine went to a family friendly drag show as kids and thought it was hilarious

I then used the above examples of black face yet it’s ok to put on women’s clothes and mock women. I really don't think this is an appropriate comparison. If you don't understand why, then ask the question on the Black Mumsnet page.

I absolutely hate drag.
It should be fased out and classified as a no go zone.

Gay people and those who perform drag are far more likely to be allies to women and feminists, the gay men I know who do drag certainly are.

The only gay men I've known who like drag are the same ones who call women 'fish'.

Gay people and those who perform drag are far more likely to be allies to women and feminists, the gay men I know who do drag certainly are

The gay community and the drag community are tied together but they exist separately in terms of the issues facing them, and surrounding them.

Drag can be gay, but isn't always.

And generally, I don't agree with this statement at all. Gay people?

I agree with PP’s, what’s the difference between a drag queen and a pantomime dame. It might be more towards the latter rather than the drag queen who’s a warm up act for male strippers

I've got to say, the idea of using the phrase "basic bitch" to describe how something is not misogynistic is extraordinary.

i like drag, I find drag queens so funny, I would happily go to a drag show. I just don't see why it has to be pushed on to children? Not been exposed to a huge amount of it, but is a lot of a drag act not involving innuendo etc? It's a strange road we are going down with children being given sexual education at such a young age and now exposed to drag. It all just feels a bit uncomfortable.

Adult entertainment has no place in schools. Especially misogynistic adult entertainment.