Drag dilemma

[theDudesmummy]

Just wondered what people's views were on this.

Me: very terfy, vocally uncomfortable about drag queens (woman face) in general and opposed to exposure to children in particular (DQSH etc).

My DS: autistic teenager with intellectual disability, mad about Strictly and now, as we now live in Ireland, the Irish version which is Dancing With The Stars (DWTS). For years it has been our "thing" to watch together, he follows it all closely, knows all about the dancers etc.

This year on DWTS one of the celebs is a very famous and beloved Irish drag queen, "Panti Bliss". It is clear that he is going to do well, he's loved by the public, is a patently nice guy and dances well in fabulous costumes. My DS is a fan and has been voting for him every week. (Obviously "Panti" is referred to as her in the performances, although in the rehearsal room he presents as a man).

I don't know what to think/say. DS is not confused by the cross-dressing aspect, he just takes that in his stride. And when Johannes on Strictly was part of a single sex couple that was great and needed no explanation or comment. We cheered him on because he is a great dancer. But Johannes was being Johannes, even though he also sometimes dressed in fab dresses. He wasn't playing a female role or pretending to be someone else. Or calling himself by what I feel is an inappropriate name for a show watched and loved by children.

Why would anyone provide information that could identify them just to satisfy your curiosity?

I think "drag" is inappropriate on mainstream tv before the watershed and I quite irritated by the constant pushing of this - one local college actually had a "drag" event which was pushed by their pastoral team. I just think the culture is dreadful and another example of how young people are being influenced. the problem is that if you object you are seen as being a phobic in some way - no-one is allowed to express a view unless it fits the current agenda and if they do they are then told it is unacceptable.

I think what will happen as with the Brexit vote which like or loath it was in some way people saying I don't want to be told I have to think this or that (I was antibrext but totally understand that feeling that people felt.) Outwardly people were saying they would vote stay but in the ballot box people felt it was there chance to say what they wanted and no-one could stop them. In a way the views on drag and the gender debate will at some point mirror that - in many homes and dare say most up and down the country people are saying they disagree with this gender distortion but they can't say it outlaid (the same with people who objected to covid lockdowns) people feel disenfranchised, they feel silenced. At some point there will be an outpouring of this frustration and I hope this time comes soon.

Drag is like circus clowns, there's a deliberately unsettling uncanny valley quality to it which gives some people a frisson, gives other people the creeps, leaves other people cold. I would feel suspicious of a person who performed as a clown and used that same persona outside 'in the world'. Same with drag.

When drag starts being used as a statement about the highly disputed concept 'gender' and applied in a misogynist framework women are entitled to criticise it.

Fake boobs - offensive

Pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable for men to wear, as an art form - okay.

if it’s on Twitter it’s in the public domain. How would that be outing?

I’m aware some women do criticise it.

And others regard them as tiresome, if they care at all.

It wasn’t on Twitter it was in person. I have met this person on many occasions.

No I’m not going to provide information to you @MadamAndTheAnts. Why would I?

Well I guess we can just dismiss your claims about Panti as merely an unevidenced opinion

Who is we?

You’re very welcome to do that.

Anyone who asks for a little more than mere opinion when making judgements on issues.

if that doesn’t include you, no worries.

OP, I wouldn't let your feelings about drag queens get in the way of this very important time you spend with your son.
On the topic of Irish drag queens, I noticed in yesterday's Irish Independent that there was an article about the St Patrick's Festival. The theme for this year is inclusivity. Both photos accompanying the article had drag queens. I would have thought that inclusion would be for for example, people with a disability, members of the Traveller community or people of different cultures.
I'm not sure why drag queens seemed to feature so heavily in the accompanying photos. I don't know if they will be forming a prominent part of the parade, but it doesn't seem right for a parade that will be attended by children.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/inclusivity-takes-centre-stage-at-we-are-one-st-patricks-festival-2023-with-hopes-for-500000-people-to-attend-parade-42320050.html

I am not letting any of this impact on DS and his enjoyment of the show and his time watching it with me, no. Its been an interesting discussion though, thanks for that. I hadn't heard of Rory before (have not lived in Ireland very long).