Gay Events and Drag

[Kr8zy]

Went to a gay bar tonight. And of course, they had to have drag singers.

Why is Gay synonymous with Drag. I'm gay but I don't get into drag. Why does it have to pervade everything?

Note that I am talking about drag here, and NOT transgender or cross dressing.

 

[Otage]

I have wondered the same thing. In any bigger gay event there is always drag. Not really that bothered by it, but don't really care for it either.

 

[Shelter]

I know the same from Gay-Bars in Berlin. In my opinion it is like the clown in a circus. It is the same with the gay-parades - always many Drag-Queens.

But how to change?

 

[Stonecold]

The only bars that could open in many towns back over 40 to 50 years ago were ones that had drag shows. I know most of them had mafia connections to be able to stay open and I guess having drag shows made it more acceptable to society. I think from a historical standpoint they have earned their place in our culture.

 

[W!nston]

I've seen a lot of Drag shows and enjoyed most of them. It's entertainment. It's also been a staple of theater for thousands of years in every culture. Women were not allowed to perform in theater as late as ... well, not so long ago (I'm sure one of our resident academics could give us a better idea of how long ago). It is pretending, acting, showmanship.

It may seem too campy for some but it is in our, the Gay community, roots. We've always been pretenders until very recently when coming out has been more fashionable, more chic.

I love a good Drag show. Not the tacky ones. Not the obscene ones. The really good lip-sinkers and dancers with creative costumes, great make-up and hair. I think it should never go out of style in the Gay culture. I do hope things return to less obscene everything. It's boring. Every one can simulate sex acts. Very few can put on a really interesting and entertaining show!

​

 

[brmstn69]

Drag shows give college girls an excuse to bring their boyfriends to the gay bar. Half those boys return without them, that's why gay bars have drag queens...

 

[haiducii]

Drag shows give college girls an excuse to bring their boyfriends to the gay bar. Half those boys return without them, that's why gay bars have drag queens...

I LIKE your view of things :rofl:

 

[Shelter]

I LIKE your view of things :rofl:

pp Same here pp

 

[slimjim]

Then of course there was.....

 

[trencherman]

In Kabuki, women were simply forbidden to participate so female roles were played by male artists a few of whom became celebrities and were depicted in woodcut prints. That tradition is carried on to date.

In modern day gay bar presentations, drag shows are probably included to cater to a section of the audience. In North America drag shows constitute a minute portion of the show. In Brazil they are the show in which male gogo dancers are invariably presented by crossdressed host(esses). In oh oh so macho Buenos Aires there is an all-male ballet troupe that presents classics such as Swan Lake with consummate artistry that one is hard put to characterize them as drag.

 

[Habukaz]

Why do you dislike drag queens? Do you dislike effeminate men as well? Feminine traits are devalued among men in general. Men are supposed to be tough, strong and manly. It's not that different among gay men. Masculine 4 masculine, no fems, straight-acting, these effeminate guys give all gays a bad reputation and so forth. Drag is a celebration of the oppressed feminine side. You can be as camp and theatrical as you like and it's not a bad thing like it is in everyday life.

 

[Kr8zy]

Why do you dislike drag queens? Do you dislike effeminate men as well? Feminine traits are devalued among men in general. Men are supposed to be tough, strong and manly. It's not that different among gay men. Masculine 4 masculine, no fems, straight-acting, these effeminate guys give all gays a bad reputation and so forth. Drag is a celebration of the oppressed feminine side. You can be as camp and theatrical as you like and it's not a bad thing like it is in everyday life.

See, I don't see it is "effeminate". I think there is a big difference between drag, cross dressing, female impersonation, etc. To me drag is more about in your face flamboyance. I understand that's what some people like and that's fine. My problem is that it has itself become a stereotype, that all gay guys want to be flamboyant are are interested in it. That fight against stereotypes has in fact turned into one of the biggest stereotypes.

 

[W!nston]

Think of Drag shows as pantomime:

pan·to·mime
ˈpan(t)əˌmīm

noun

1. a dramatic entertainment, originating in Roman mime, in which performers express meaning through gestures accompanied by music.

2. BRITISH

a theatrical entertainment, mainly for children, that involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy and is based on a fairy tale or nursery story, usually produced around Christmas.

verb

1. express or represent (something) by extravagant and exaggerated mime.

 

[slimjim]

The other connection is that in a traditional british Panto the male romantic lead (known as the principle boy) is always played by a girl and the "pantomime dames" (the ugly sisters in Cinderalla for instance) are always played by men