DRAGGED INTO THE MAINSTREAM

To some, drag is a man in a ratty wig, lip-syncing to Lady Gaga whilst shoving dollar bills into a padded leather bra. To me, drag is an art form that experiments and challenges the boundaries of gender. However you view drag, and whatever it means to you, the concept has slowly been seeping into the mainstream media and our pop culture. The most recent exposure of the VMAs (with queens such as Willam Belli, Violet Chachki, the Haus of Edwards and Courtney Act taking to the stage to perform alongside Miley Cyrus) has led to an influx of new fans and individuals who have a newfound appreciation for drag. How has drag developed into what it is today? Will drag soon be a part of our mainstream culture?

Let’s start with the HERSTORY. Drag has been present throughout the centuries, with the term originating from the phrase ‘dressed as a girl.’ Some of the earlier less developed forms of drag were existent in the 1600s, where men played the female roles in productions and plays. In more recent times, drag queens have been the subject of films/movies, with John Waters’ Pink Flamingos featuring Divine and Stephan Elliott’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (for more information on this film and its impact see Izzy’s article here). These films among many others have brought the idea of drag to the forefront of society’s minds. The documentary Paris is Burning is extremely significant in the portrayal of drag queens, and showcases not only their talent but a sense of community among performers.

A few years ago, the mention of drag queens would conjure up images of garish, comedic, ‘clown-like’ characters such as Dame Edna, and although there are still queens similar to this, many different ‘genres’ of drag have developed. From pageant queens to ‘fishy’ queens, the spectrum is wide and ever-changing. Drag has become a malleable art form and some queens’ performances are artful and meticulously planned, whilst others use witty improvisation in their acts. Now, the sole purpose is not just to entertain, but to create and to funnel creativity through makeup, fashion and art never before seen in drag. This new assortment of different types of drag has appealed to different people in society who appreciate different forms and talents drag brings, therefore appealing to a wider audience.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ first aired in February 2009, and has become a prominent platform in altering the public perception of drag. The show conveys the trials and tribulations of being a drag queen whilst humanizing a group who is often the target of vitriol and discrimination in society. The Guardian, upon the airing of Drag Race in the UK in 2015, stated: “Drag Race is the type of show that influences, not follows, pop culture trends.”

 Rupaul has created an air of sisterhood within his show, and in a recent interview tells us “We’re dealing with people who have been shunned by society and have made a life regardless of what anyone else thinks of them have decided.” This show has been a crucial breakthrough in portraying drag to the public. 

A big issue people have with the concept of drag is that men showing femininity is perceived as ‘shameful’ and ‘wrong’. The fact drag is based on the idea of embracing femininity means it has become a taboo over the years. However, gender roles are beginning to blur and distort, and although there are still prejudiced attitudes, it is more acceptable for men to demonstrate more feminine behaviors. A prime example of this is the recent release of the AXE commercial that, although does not feature drag as such, shows a man in heels.
This may seem like an insignificant element, but the very fact advertisement is breaking the boundaries of gender shows the social change and views towards the bending of gender and its expectations.

The exposure of drag has snowballed in the 20^th century, and has certainly inspired and captured my imagination and many others. As a fan of drag and drag queens, I was inspired by the ability to play with gender in a way which I had never seen before. With the exposure of television, performances and music, people are becoming more aware of the endless possibilities it can bring and the forms it can take. The more awareness there is, the further it can trickle into mainstream pop culture along with the idea gender is a fluid and flexible concept.

Although we still have a way to go for society to fully accept that gender roles are outdated and a loose construct, drag is becoming more prominent and recognized. With the imminent season 8 of Rupaul’s Drag Race, more new fans will hopefully embrace the world of gender bending. Will drag one day fully integrate into our mainstream societal values? Or will it fade into the background?