More controversy is hounding the news, social media and radio. But, is it still being discussed enough?
Many do not think so.
The question is, why is Drag being dragged?
Tennessee has become the first American state to ban Drag shows and performances in public places. This Bill was signed by Governor Bill Lee, and under this new law, drag performances will not be allowed anywhere a 'minor might see them'. Not only this, Lee also signed a bill which limits transgender children's access to care that is affirming of their gender. As of March 31st 2024, those currently receiving medical care, such as hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers, will no longer be able to receive it, due to the ban of gender affirming care.
According to those who have created these laws, drag performacnes in public spaces are 'harmful to minors', despite organisers of such shows arguing that they are not sexually explicit or harmful for young people.
What about the UK?
Although no laws are in place prohibiting drag performances, there is still some resistance. Last month a protest was held outside the Tate Britain whilst the gallery was hosting a Drag Queen storytelling event for children.
Many news articles such as the Daily Mail, organistations such as Thoughtful Therapists, and even famous people, have commented that children and young people watching and being invloved in drag performances can lead to damaging their gender identity and can expose them to sexualised content. Drag performances which include young people and children, and Drag Queens going into schools for things such as sex education classes, has been frowned upon. These people have highlighted the difference between Pantomime, where men wear costumes of big flowly dresses and not 'skin-tight outfits, thongs and bondage', a stereotype of Drag Queens.
A Daily Mail article named "How Drag Queens became a Trojan Horse to promote militant trans ideology to children...and why parents who say the lewd-shows - that can feature bondage gear and nipple tassels - aren't suitable for youngsters are derided as 'bigots'"
discusses mainly negative connotations around drag performances and shows. From the title of this article, you can already know that it is going to be filled with harmful opinions and comments on Drag Queens. Comments on this article show that there are still a lot of individuals who resonate with these damaging ideas, including;
"Ban this now!"
"On this matter...if I say anything I am doomed, if I say nothing my kids are doomed...it's awful."
"Clearly the parents that attended approve. Let them deal with the consequences".
Despite this, positive comments still shone through, supporting drag performances and the education and confidence amongst the LGBTQ community which some people would never otherwise recieve.
Where did Drag begin?
Drag has been around for a very long time, sometimes at the forefront of mainstream culture, and sometimes being forced into hiding by homophobic laws, resistance and violence.
Drag can be traced back to 16th and early 17th century, the age of William Shakespeare, when female roles were performed by men.
Princess Seraphina.
Princess Seraphina, real name John Cooper, is argued to be the first recognisable Drag Queen in English history. Cooper took Thomas Gordon to court for stealing his clothes in 1732 and despite homosexuality being a capital punishment at the time as sodomy, and Gordon outing Cooper as gay, Cooper was never persecuted for his sexuality. In fact, Cooper was well liked and respected in his community and in court his peers called him 'princess' and her 'highness'.
Molly Houses.
Princess Seraphina was well known amongst the Molly Houses. In 18th century London, 'Molly Houses' became home to the flourishing gay subculture. Molly was a slur used for effeminate, homosexual men and was adopted to describe the venues they would use to meet up in secret. These 'Molly Houses' were often raided by police and faced scrutiny, however they became a safe space for homosexual men to socialise and express their identities. In many ways, these were the first 'Gay Clubs' that we know in modern day.
Julian Eltinge.
Julian Eltinge, from Newtonville Massachusetts, was one of the most famous 'female impersonators' of the 1910's and 1920's. In fact, Eltinge was so famous that a theatre in Manhattan was named after him.
From a child, Eltinge felt that he was 'different' and would dress in drag for small shows. In 1904, he appeared in Mr Wix of Wickham, and this really kick-started his fame. He would trick the audience into believeing he was actually a woman, and then would remove his wig in the finale as part of his act. Eltinge dated women, engaged in boxing and embraced his 'masculine side', however he also produced magazines that gave women beauty tips and never hid his love for all things 'feminine'.
The Stonewall Riots.
Homosexuality was criminalised, and drag theatre moved from Broadway and other stages, to underground clubs. These clubs were often the target of the police, who bullied and arrested those inside and in response, it was in fact Drag Queens who organised a series of riots. These riots of 1969, known as the Stonewall Riots, named after the club where they had started, escalated from riots against police raids, to a battle for civil rights.
Led by drag Queens, the Stonewall riots are considered a landmark event in LGBTQ history.
More Modern Day.
As the LGBTQ community became more accepted, drag started to return to being mainstream. Famous singers such as David Bowie made the gender-bending aesthetic a focus in his outfits, music videos and performances.
In the year 2009, singer and actor RuPaul produced his first drag reality show. For many people, RuPaul's Drag Race is probably the first time they have seen drag culture, and even LGBTQ people on TV. The show has been argued by many that it serves as LBGTQ education, gives people the confidence to express themselves and also educates parents. Many testimonies can be seen online from people as young as 6/7 years of age who have started to watch RuPaul's Drag Race, learnt about the LGBTQ community, giving them confidence and education to explore their sexuality and even 'come out' to their families and friends.
Drag shows are common; drag brunches, drag performances at clubs, bars, comedy shows and during Pride events. These shows attract a variety of people and give them safe spaces to express themselves and mix with those with common interests, and simply have a laugh and a good time. If you have ever been to a drag show or performance, you will know that the atmosphere is full of laughter, love and acceptance of everyone. People often aspire to be as confident as Drag Queens, and young people can look up to them as role models, as those who are accepting, loving, funny and not scared to express their true selves.
Trans activist Munroe Bergdorf has spoken out against the drag bans, posting "whilst they are an attack on the LGBTQ community at large, it is specifically about upholding traditional GENDER ideals. This is about upholding cisgender heteronormative ideology which is oppressive to both LBG and transgender people".
RuPaul commented in a video "they think our love, our light, our laughter and our joy are signs of weakness. But they are wrong because that is our strength".
It is important to remember that these new bills, and comments and opinions of many are a sign that society still has a lot to work on. The fear is that society is going backwards, and is no longer going to be the progressive- accepting society in which we thought we lived. These affect not only drag artists and trans people, it effects everyone amongst the LGBTQ community. Although it may not be obvious, to many, this feels like a direct attack. An attack on those who are still classed as 'different' and 'wrong' to many, and an attack on the safe spaces where people within the LGBTQ community feel safe. An attack on self-expression, on sexuality and identity.
Are these Bills and law's true intentions being hidden behind the statement of 'protecting' children?
Is society going backwards in terms of acceptance and equality?
Is society doing enough?
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