As an avid Drag Race watcher, I was shocked to learn that many anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced over the past few years.
Drag first swept the nation in the 60s, but can be traced back to Shakespearean theatre, as male dramatics would play female characters. Although, this was a necessity for theatrical arts in these times, these are the first incidences of drag, as male individuals adopt an exaggerated female-persona on stage, separate from their off-stage identity.
Common confusion surrounding drag comes from the use of pronouns, and the gender identity of drag-queens. Drag is the theatrical and performative act of dressing in exaggerated feminine clothes, make-up, and hair (we’re talking bright wigs, sparkles, and outfits made from layers and layers of silk and tulle). RuPaul himself has said he doesn’t dress as a woman, he dresses as a drag queen.
Drag is the theatrical and performative act of dressing in exaggerated feminine clothes, make-up, and hair.
Any gender identity can partake in drag, which may confuse some people. Gender identity can be the same as your biological sex assigned at birth, or different, across a broad gender spectrum. Though some drag queens may be transgender or non-binary, many are cis gender men.
RuPaul’s Drag Race is quite the phenomenon in the United States, and all over the world, capturing the hearts of many, queer, or not. For me, there are a few moments in history that have heavily influenced drag. RuPaul’s interview with Jimmy Fallon, where he named himself the “Queen of Drag” is one, as well as Ru’s existence on this earth. After all, he was named in the Top 100 Most Influential people by Time Magazine in 2017.
The music industry, already bursting with self-expression and queer joy, has seen Chappel Roan top the charts with several queer anthems, while dressed in drag.
Boygenius, supergroup comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, also dressed in drag, as Bridgers says “F*** Bill Lee”, at their headline show in Tennessee, in 2023. At this performance, the group adopted drag names and drag attire, with Baker saying she felt grateful to be performing and to be “content with the person I am”, as well as feeling anger toward the people who have made her feel erased.
Their performance was in response to a law passed in 2023, in Tennessee, Texas, and Montana, which banned drag performances in certain public spaces. Tennessee was the first to pass this law, on the 2nd of March, with Bill Lee, Tennessee’s former Republican Governor, leading the legislation. The law includes drag in many anti-obscenity enforcements acts, branding the performances as inappropriate for younger audiences.
There are currently only 26 states with no laws, restrictions, and bills against drag performers.
There are currently only 26 states with no laws, restrictions, and bills against drag performers. Coincidently, most of these states are republican in the recent election. An additional law is now in the process of being passed to ban gender-affirming healthcare. These hateful, and somewhat close-minded views have extended to attacks and prejudice toward the transgender community. It is estimated that nearly 40% of transgender youth live in states where bans on gender-affirming healthcare have already been passed, and this may only grow over Trump’s control.
