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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you enjoy drag, to ask why?

256 replies

ForestGoblin · 17/08/2023 07:08

I don't get it at all. It looks to me like a crude mockery of women. Even on the presumably somewhat sanitised RuPaul, the word for a "realistic" (ie could pass as a woman) drag queen is "fish"... A reference to being so womanly it's as though they have a vagina. I feel like they hate women and are performing all the things they find ridiculous about us in a really hammed up way. Making us seem bitchy and preening.

Also, more fundamentally, I don't understand the entertainment factor of "oh haha it's a man who looks a bit like a lady haha he's in a dress haha". So? On which note, how on earth are the lady boys of Bangkok still going strong with their tour. Don't give me oo the costumes and skillful songs and dances - as if people would go to see "the costumed dancers of Bangkok". There's some wow factor to seeing "ladyboys" specifically.

But loads of my friends love it. So it can't actually be as bad as I think. (Can it?)

Yanbu - drag is offensive to women or just not entertaining

Yabu - drag is awesome

OP posts:
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6
DustyLee123 · 17/08/2023 07:10

It’s no different to men who used to dress up and mock women in the 70’s, like Les Dawson. Except they knew they were not women.

Mummadeze · 17/08/2023 07:10

I like it because I find it funny and don’t read too much into it. It is a comedy art form and the drag queen’s I have seen have been very witty. Not that deep for me.

panko · 17/08/2023 07:12

I don't find it offensive it just doesn't entertain me

MansfieldLark · 17/08/2023 07:13

Its only the same as going to a Pantomime.

inverness123 · 17/08/2023 07:15

I have absolutely no idea why it’s so mainstream and so taboo to point out the misogyny inherent in it.

PollyThePixie · 17/08/2023 07:16

Mummadeze · 17/08/2023 07:10

I like it because I find it funny and don’t read too much into it. It is a comedy art form and the drag queen’s I have seen have been very witty. Not that deep for me.

thats it for me also.

thinkkook · 17/08/2023 07:16

I wouldn't go and see a stage show but it doesn't bother or offend me.

Men being women has never bothered me when they weren't claiming to actually be women but that rant is not for here.

maslinpan · 17/08/2023 07:18

Drag names like Anna Bortion and Miss Carriage show me that misogyny is deeply entrenched in some performers.

Robinbuildsbears · 17/08/2023 07:19

I hate drag, but I still quite like pantomime. I think because panto usually involves a woman pretending to be a boy, so there's mostly equal ribbing of each others' sex. And it's not overly sexualised. I'm sure there's more reasons why I like one but hate the other, but I can't quite place it.

HorsePlatitudes · 17/08/2023 07:19

Womanface. Their names alone tell you what you need to know like op said.

Original poster
ForestGoblin · 17/08/2023 07:20

This came to mind because of "Cheryl Hole" appearing on a cooking programme. It's sh*t 13 year old boy humour but also kind of suggests genuine contempt for women imo. Haha holes they have HOLES hilarious.

OP posts:
Anothernamethesamegame · 17/08/2023 07:21

I don’t find drag entertaining. I don’t find it interesting or funny, just not my cup of tea.

I never previously thought of it as offensive to women, but the more I hear this suggested, with examples such as the fish term, the more I am starting to see the offence.

Canyousewcushions · 17/08/2023 07:22

I used to find drag acts acceptable but as I've got older I've found them more and more offensive.

It's quite rightly not OK to black up as not OK for a privileged group to take the micky out of an oppressed group. Yet drag is fine??

JoanOgden · 17/08/2023 07:23

Clearly there are some horrible misogynistic drag performers, but mainstream drag doesn't take itself too seriously and crucially the performers don't pretend they are actually women.

I went to a drag musical, La Cage aux Folles, the other night - really amazing costumes and dancing.

StampOnTheGround · 17/08/2023 07:24

I don't find it particularly offensive, I just hate it - don't find it entertaining or funny at all!

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2023 07:25

ForestGoblin · 17/08/2023 07:20

This came to mind because of "Cheryl Hole" appearing on a cooking programme. It's sh*t 13 year old boy humour but also kind of suggests genuine contempt for women imo. Haha holes they have HOLES hilarious.

I believe Cheryl hole was in a drag girl group version of girls aloud so the name is a spin on Cheryl Cole.

Justleaveitblankthen · 17/08/2023 07:25

It's sooo boring in my opinion. Doesn't entertain me at all.
and they are usually fucking ugly

Original poster
ForestGoblin · 17/08/2023 07:26

On RuPaul, a successful candidate needs "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent"..

OP posts:
theprimesuspect · 17/08/2023 07:26

I don't think they say "fishy" any more on RuPaul's Drag Race. I enjoy the makeup skills, the ingenuity, and the spirit of many of the contestants.

Used to enjoy America's Next Top Model, before it went to the dogs then ended. Still enjoy Project Runway. RPDR is a gay version of ANTM, with a dash of Project Runway, and lots of different skill tests, and sparkly outfits, which I overall enjoy.

Peony654 · 17/08/2023 07:26

I find it entertaining and their costumes are always amazing. I can’t see how it’s offensive

Original poster
ForestGoblin · 17/08/2023 07:27

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2023 07:25

I believe Cheryl hole was in a drag girl group version of girls aloud so the name is a spin on Cheryl Cole.

Show quote history

Yes, it is. But why not Cheryl Poll? It's a joke about vaginas, forgotters.

OP posts:
Peony654 · 17/08/2023 07:27

On Ru Paul Drag Race specifically, many of the contestants have had awful experiences and doing drag has really helped them

Xqyz · 17/08/2023 07:27

Yeah why are Greg and the Ozzy bloke called the drag artist 'she'? Drives me insane!!
Watched it last night curled up with period pains. What right does he have to be called she!!!?

indyocean · 17/08/2023 07:27

I've always felt it's a bit off and definitely mocking women

WandaWonder · 17/08/2023 07:29

I find some of it ok like lily savage, dame edna & pantomime I get some of the humour if done a certain way ie witty comedy or really good voices

I don't like the cheap / non professional; crude for the sake of it end of the pier rude versions

same as clowns a professional clown is different to someone throwing on clown clothes and just acting stupid

I don't get the mass hysteria of the trans thing is catching we must hide the children in case they catch something