I’m not part of the drag scene, but my understanding is that drag is an exaggerated performance of gender.
The actual situation of the actor doesn’t really factor into whether or not it’s drag. It’s also not exclusively an exaggerated performance of femininity.
I think the definition is getting more loose in recent year with different types of drag queens.
I like to think it’s gender clowns in the nicest way. The art is playing with gender and gender expectations in an aesthetic, comical or thought provoking way.
It’s not just the look, it’s performative. It can be any sex assigned at birth and any gender - including nonbinary, as the subject of the article identifies.
Depending on your viewpoint, there’s an argument to be made that KISS, Alice Cooper, and many hair metal bands were a form of drag.
I think humour is a key part of what separates drag from just regular performance. The artist isn’t afraid to make fun of themselves and just have fun.
There has to be something over the top about the performance, right?
Because I think of David bowie and obviously he had different personalities and quite flashy costumes, but it would be difficult for me to say he was doing drag, partly because he was so poised.
Hi, I know nothing about the drag scene, curious about the definition here.
I thought drag was specifically men dressing up as women, is drag any gender putting on too much makeup and wearing gaudy outfits?
It’s just the look?
I’m not part of the drag scene, but my understanding is that drag is an exaggerated performance of gender.
The actual situation of the actor doesn’t really factor into whether or not it’s drag. It’s also not exclusively an exaggerated performance of femininity.
Ah, “exaggerated” is keying me in to a more complete definition, thanks
I think the definition is getting more loose in recent year with different types of drag queens.
I like to think it’s gender clowns in the nicest way. The art is playing with gender and gender expectations in an aesthetic, comical or thought provoking way.
Haha, that’s a great way to think about it. Gender jesters
It’s not just the look, it’s performative. It can be any sex assigned at birth and any gender - including nonbinary, as the subject of the article identifies.
Depending on your viewpoint, there’s an argument to be made that KISS, Alice Cooper, and many hair metal bands were a form of drag.
There is also a wonderful argument that professional wrestling is drag
I, too, am part of the smarty pants society
Thanks.
Yeah I definitely identified those bands as drag, I just didn’t know it could be anyone.
So look plus performance equals drag?
Thanks
I think humour is a key part of what separates drag from just regular performance. The artist isn’t afraid to make fun of themselves and just have fun.
That’s a good point.
There has to be something over the top about the performance, right?
Because I think of David bowie and obviously he had different personalities and quite flashy costumes, but it would be difficult for me to say he was doing drag, partly because he was so poised.
It’s definitely an interesting piece of culture.