A question about drag, pronouns and the BBC

[WinterTrees]

This article is currently at the top of the BBC homepage

www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/a536d462-6272-4688-827d-d17d63d20fdf

When I clicked on it I was surprised to see that the subject is referred to throughout by female pronouns, even though it seems pretty clear that this person is a gay man whose 'real name' (quote from the article, so obviously not considered a dead name) is Harry.

I find drag insulting and offensive so have never watched Drag Race and try to avoid the whole drag phenomenon, so my question is, is it standard practice to refer to these men who dress up in bizarre fancy dress costumes as women? My limited understanding was that it was very much a male thing, a core part of gay culture, so being male is kind of key (and I have a feeling there was a story recently about there being an actual female on one of these programmes, and it being quite a big thing?) A quick look at Harry/Charity's social media suggests that he doesn't see himself as anything other than male - no pronouns in bio, lots of instagram posts of his very male body. So why are the BBC referring to him as female, especially in an article about HIV, to which gay men are still (I think?) particularly at risk in this country?

Has womanhood become a sort of catch-all category for anyone who doesn't fit into the category of Masculine? Or is the BBC just observing the generic convention of drag culture? (which I think is even more reason to find it offensive appropriation, if so.)

Cripes. I assumed they were referring to the ‘character’ played but no, this person must’ve asked to be referred to as sheher.

And he even refer to himself as male in the last paragraph (and, weirdly, in the 3rd person). 'Harry's needs will come to pass eventually. I don't want him doing drag forever.'

I'm so weary of it. Being a woman is a game to men. A novelty that will wear off after a while. And the BBC are happy to go along with that.

Yes, women are nothing more than 'non-men'. Surely we should all know this by now....

Drag queens are generally referred to as "she" when referring to the character. She was interviewed as Charity rather than Harry, so the interview calls her "she".

So, yes, it's the generic conventions of drag, rather than the particular interviewer.

@DaisyWaldron

Drag queens are generally referred to as "she" when referring to the character. She was interviewed as Charity rather than Harry, so the interview calls her "she".

I hate the implication that womanhood is just a funny costume that men can put on and take off at will.

“Drag Race UK contestant talks about HIV stigma, the reality of living with the virus and how drag became her therapy.” The characters therapy (why would a character need therapy) or the contestant (actual person)?

Either way, nah.

I’m happy (not the right word I know) that someone who is ‘in the eye’ is shouting out a lie HIV (I haven’t seen an red ribbon for donkeys). Thank god the outlook is a hell of a lot better for those with HIV (well in the west anyway) than it was back in the day.

I think the drag character is an alter ego, and that drag artists distinguish between their drag self and their actual self.
I've heard them talk about their drag selves in the third person

PS I hate drag and don't understand how men can get away with it in the 21st century. It's boo different from the abhorrent black and white minstrels.

@DaisyWaldron

So, yes, it's the generic conventions of drag, rather than the particular interviewer.

Ah, ok Daisy. Thanks for that.

Somehow that makes it more offensive. Proper colonisation. I found it sinister enough to think of men putting on the outrageous costumes and the grotesque mask-like make up and acting out their own parody of womanhood, but being referred to (by the BBC ffs) as if those things actually make them female is beyond insulting.

And yes Kitten, good point - Harry was talking about how adopting the character of Charity became HIS therapy.

I think you can say "he" when they're not in drag and "she" when in drag, but I don't think it's insulting to use either pronoun in that situation.