If you enjoy drag, to ask why?

[ForestGoblin]

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

It’s behind you!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I like drag. I dont watch the shows on tv but I have several friends who are drag artists and i often go to their shows. Always an enjoyable night out for me but appreciate it's not everyone's cup of tea.

All the people saying it's comedy, so it's like a circus freakshow act then? Certainly the impression I get when I have ever seen a drag act. It's mostly people giggling with their friends about the drag. People won't admit it though.

My DCs Godfather makes a living as a drag queen. He is the kindest, most generous person I know and it definitely doesn’t come from a place of mocking women. (At least IME)

I can see why you would think that and obviously there are some acts that are in bad taste but there are comedians that tell jokes in bad taste etc to shock… I think there’s a wide variety just like any form of entertainment.

I like the drag queens like Charity Kase who really consider an art and transform into something other than human/gendered. I really admire the creativity and skill.

The drag scene have generally accepted that “fishy” is an unacceptable term now…just like any group, the drag scene are still learning how to create a more inclusive and respectful culture.

Glamour. Escapism. Beautiful make-up. Puns. Gowns. Reveals. Double-entendres.
Lip syncing. Death drops. Sequins. Feathers. Fur. Heels. Nails. Glitter. Themes.

I have none of the above in my real life apart from puns. We love puns. Ooh and when I do shablam and attempt a death drop at the swimming pool.

So I enjoy watching Ru Paul, Miss Universe, Priscilla queen of the desert, To Wong Foo, Victor Victoria, Rocky Horror and the like, to live vicariously. I liked Rob and Romesh giving it a go, Faking it Britney Ferry, enjoyed all the drag in Let's dance for comic relief and Lip sync battles.

I have seen Bimini Bon-Boulash's show virtually, which had drag kings supporting. I saw a Thai Ladyboy lipsyncing as Freddie Mercury the other week.
Admired Cheddar Gorgeous's pink triangle outfit on display in Whitworth art gallery. I love Eurovision, Dancing on Ice and am a Strictly superfan.
Enjoy Conchita/Wurst's music. Have been to Pride events in the past and enjoyed watching those performing.

It's all entertaining in a Pygmalion/Glow up/Jane from Neighbours transformation kind of way and much of it is pure art/labour of love and takes a huge amount of talent and dedication.

So yes, for a menopausal, vanilla, straight, conventional, older lass like myself, who could don heels and put on lippy but can't be arsed, watching others do it is a form of escapism.

I agree that Cheryl Hole is a crap name though and Cheryl Pole would have been fine. Ooh that's another thing - pole dancing - I like watching that too. It's amazing how they do what they do, both men and women. Ashley Fox is utterly incredible.

Fun, over the top and exuberant. It's great. Unless, of course, you are one of the Blue Meanies who want to destroy every vestage of fun in the world.

I think there is a bit of a leap between the gender inequality of Shakespeare's Tim; panto, and the issue with drag and representation of women today. It's not linear, imo.

I suppose there's been a line, somewhere, and many women now feel as though it's been crossed somewhere between To Wong Foo and now, and the 'humour' isn't actually very funny at all.

Women being the butt of men's jokes isn't ever going to make me laugh though.

Shakespeare's time! Not Tim!

Why is drag okay but other forms of impersonation are not?

Because blackface/yellowface/jewface hurts people.
Are you honestly saying you are hurt by this?

It's joyous. I fail to see how it is appropriating womanhood. I don't know any women who look like that. As RuPaul would say, we're all born naked - the rest is drag.

It's camp OTT silliness.

I love drag. Grew up with a gay uncle who had close drag friends. Still find it fun and exciting. Good, happy, belly laughing memories come to mind when I think of it.

I'm conflicted - I've seen drag shows that were absolutely hilarious (but VERY rude), admire the makeup artistry of many drag artistes and my DC has been to stories and pantomimes but... the conflation with the transgender movement, the whole concept of 'womanface' and some of the revolting names chosen make me uncomfortable when such characters are pushed into the family arena.

YANBU.

It will be seen in the same light as ‘blackface’ one day.

I was told by the BBC that Cheryl Hole was "a fun play on words easily explained to a family audience." Can someone tell me how?

Of course there were some terrible drag acts but some are well put together, amazing costunes and sets , and really funny

I like good ones

Really? NO idea?

🙄

I've not seen the modern drag acts, the ones on TV. But whilst on holiday I do go to see drag shows and I love them. I think they are very funny. I don't find it offensive to me. I just think it's a piss take and not serious at all.

There you’ve said it yourself it’s a joke

I’m not offended at all, there’s worse things to get upset about.
Love RPDG some of the contestants are very talented, the costumes and makeup are amazing