Now, THIS is History Honey
By Muriel Clarke
Black queer pioneers are finally getting the recognition they deserve for creating an art form: the art of drag. Many people don’t know how the drag community has been significantly fueling culture for a long time. They've started numerous fashion, makeup, and dance trends and even developed the slang that many of us use.
So, what exactly is drag?
The term “drag” originates from 19th-century theater when only men were allowed to perform, so they played the women. The way their dresses dragged on the floor inspired people to call this act “putting on your drags.”
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that drag became associated with the LGBTQ+ community. During this time, homosexuality was illegal; so drag went “underground.” Segregation and violence led to the formation of drag balls, as Black queer folk looked for a safe space to express themselves. Drag ball culture, and the competitions they held, birthed the idea of drag families. During this time, a common obstacle for LGBTQ+ youth was homelessness, due to a variety of factors working against them. So, as another effort to establish a strong sense of community, house “mothers” acted as mentors for their chosen family. Drag families often compete together, with the expectation to uphold the family legacy. Ball culture spread from Harlem into uptown Manhattan in the 70s, and eventually drag just couldn’t remain contained. Drag hit the streets of New York City and made its presence known with the annual Wigstock Festival that began in 1984.
With these 2 origin stories, It's important to make a distinction between drag in the queer community and mainstream drag. Queer drag was created by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Due to criminalization and other oppressive forces, this type of drag has only recently become more widely visible. Mainstream drag, on the other hand, relied on different tropes and was geared toward those who find a man dressed as a woman to be inherently funny. Think John Travolta as Edna in Hairspray and Tyler Perry as Medea. So, drag started primarily with men, but as the queer community adapted this art form and developed solo acts, several sub-genres formed. Drag began to include women portraying men, a.k.a. “drag kings,” and now drag performance includes people of all gender identities.
All that being said, how do we define drag today?
Possibly, an easier way to pinpoint the definition is by clarifying what isn't drag. Drag is not just following the status quo. It's not just putting on clothes without question. It is examining the gender norms of the time and playing with these ideas. Drag is an act, an impersonation, so you must be looking at gender critically and adding something to the discussion.
Notable queer activists in the 1960’s like Marsha P. Johnson were the forces driving drag forward; and with the challenges faced at the intersection of Black and queer identity, their energy had to be fierce. After years of fighting for social change, drag made breakthroughs and has gone commercial.
Renowned drag queen RuPaul built a reputation as a performer in New York City, broke into the music industry with the hit “Supermodel,” and became the first queen to represent a major cosmetic industry. Then along came Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2009, and it was only up from there. RuPaul led the way in the business of drag.
RuPaul's Drag Race gave competitors an opportunity to challenge themselves, expand their crafts, and most importantly, get their name out there. As the drag performance tent expanded to cover makeup art, fashion design, acting, music, stand-up comedy, and more, the possibilities appeared endless. From here, drag performers picked up commercial opportunities which have been increasingly important since the onset of the pandemic brought most in-person performances to a halt.
Several drag artists have turned to social media for their business ventures, and have racked up a sizeable following. Because businesses are used to paying a lot for advertising, influencer sponsorships have proven to be a cost-effective method for brands to get exposure for a much lower budget.
This is both a great opportunity and something to be wary of. Drag queens have been securing online partnerships, as they should, but they must ensure they aren't being taken advantage of. To avoid mishaps with this complicated, new, method of business, it is essential for drag artists to know their worth. Companies know that these stars alone can generate buzz with the drop of an Instagram post, giving them the opportunity to reach an audience that they wouldn't normally. This is valuable, and should not have a low price point.
It’s hard to summarize drag because of how much there is to it. Drag is quite literally everything, darling. It is so many different things to different people. And though I can’t define what drag is for everyone, I love what drag historian Joe E. Jefferys says. He describes drag generally as an ironic wearing of clothing; this resonates with me because it feels so modern and inclusive. It made me realize that I can also be a part of drag. Drag is for everyone. So, I encourage you to use fashion as an extension of the self, to communicate what can't be said with words alone. And as drag becomes mainstream, it's essential that we give credit where credit is due because chile, getting here has not been easy.
Sources:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90354078/how-the-house-of-velour-is-disrupting-the-business-of-drag
https://time.com/5188791/rupauls-drag-race-history/
https://303magazine.com/2019/11/evelyn-evermoore-drag-denver/
https://www.them.us/story/inqueery-drag
https://www.mygwork.com/en/my-g-news/the-reigning-legacy-of-drag#:~:text=RuPaul%20made%20a%20name%20for,RuPaul%20was%20set%20for%20stardom.
So, what exactly is drag?
The term “drag” originates from 19th-century theater when only men were allowed to perform, so they played the women. The way their dresses dragged on the floor inspired people to call this act “putting on your drags.”
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that drag became associated with the LGBTQ+ community. During this time, homosexuality was illegal; so drag went “underground.” Segregation and violence led to the formation of drag balls, as Black queer folk looked for a safe space to express themselves. Drag ball culture, and the competitions they held, birthed the idea of drag families. During this time, a common obstacle for LGBTQ+ youth was homelessness, due to a variety of factors working against them. So, as another effort to establish a strong sense of community, house “mothers” acted as mentors for their chosen family. Drag families often compete together, with the expectation to uphold the family legacy. Ball culture spread from Harlem into uptown Manhattan in the 70s, and eventually drag just couldn’t remain contained. Drag hit the streets of New York City and made its presence known with the annual Wigstock Festival that began in 1984.
With these 2 origin stories, It's important to make a distinction between drag in the queer community and mainstream drag. Queer drag was created by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Due to criminalization and other oppressive forces, this type of drag has only recently become more widely visible. Mainstream drag, on the other hand, relied on different tropes and was geared toward those who find a man dressed as a woman to be inherently funny. Think John Travolta as Edna in Hairspray and Tyler Perry as Medea. So, drag started primarily with men, but as the queer community adapted this art form and developed solo acts, several sub-genres formed. Drag began to include women portraying men, a.k.a. “drag kings,” and now drag performance includes people of all gender identities.
All that being said, how do we define drag today?
Possibly, an easier way to pinpoint the definition is by clarifying what isn't drag. Drag is not just following the status quo. It's not just putting on clothes without question. It is examining the gender norms of the time and playing with these ideas. Drag is an act, an impersonation, so you must be looking at gender critically and adding something to the discussion.
Notable queer activists in the 1960’s like Marsha P. Johnson were the forces driving drag forward; and with the challenges faced at the intersection of Black and queer identity, their energy had to be fierce. After years of fighting for social change, drag made breakthroughs and has gone commercial.
Renowned drag queen RuPaul built a reputation as a performer in New York City, broke into the music industry with the hit “Supermodel,” and became the first queen to represent a major cosmetic industry. Then along came Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2009, and it was only up from there. RuPaul led the way in the business of drag.
RuPaul's Drag Race gave competitors an opportunity to challenge themselves, expand their crafts, and most importantly, get their name out there. As the drag performance tent expanded to cover makeup art, fashion design, acting, music, stand-up comedy, and more, the possibilities appeared endless. From here, drag performers picked up commercial opportunities which have been increasingly important since the onset of the pandemic brought most in-person performances to a halt.
Several drag artists have turned to social media for their business ventures, and have racked up a sizeable following. Because businesses are used to paying a lot for advertising, influencer sponsorships have proven to be a cost-effective method for brands to get exposure for a much lower budget.
This is both a great opportunity and something to be wary of. Drag queens have been securing online partnerships, as they should, but they must ensure they aren't being taken advantage of. To avoid mishaps with this complicated, new, method of business, it is essential for drag artists to know their worth. Companies know that these stars alone can generate buzz with the drop of an Instagram post, giving them the opportunity to reach an audience that they wouldn't normally. This is valuable, and should not have a low price point.
It’s hard to summarize drag because of how much there is to it. Drag is quite literally everything, darling. It is so many different things to different people. And though I can’t define what drag is for everyone, I love what drag historian Joe E. Jefferys says. He describes drag generally as an ironic wearing of clothing; this resonates with me because it feels so modern and inclusive. It made me realize that I can also be a part of drag. Drag is for everyone. So, I encourage you to use fashion as an extension of the self, to communicate what can't be said with words alone. And as drag becomes mainstream, it's essential that we give credit where credit is due because chile, getting here has not been easy.
Sources:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90354078/how-the-house-of-velour-is-disrupting-the-business-of-drag
https://time.com/5188791/rupauls-drag-race-history/
https://303magazine.com/2019/11/evelyn-evermoore-drag-denver/
https://www.them.us/story/inqueery-drag
https://www.mygwork.com/en/my-g-news/the-reigning-legacy-of-drag#:~:text=RuPaul%20made%20a%20name%20for,RuPaul%20was%20set%20for%20stardom.