(Exhibit One and Exhibit Two.)
He complained that drag is constantly seen as the figurehead for "gay culture", even though it doesn't represent contemporary gay identity at all. Doug sees drag as "a relic of the days when we had to always be hidden, or in disguise" - days long gone, by his estimation. Shouldn't pride mean being ourselves, rather than hiding behind the peacock feathers which, yes, are exciting, but no, don't represent us accurately, and to be blunt, make some of the more conservative spectators a little queasy?
Men in sequined bikinis are pretty much a prerequisite on every pride float. But cross-dressers actually represent a very small minority of gay men. I still have yet to meet a gay guy that wears ladies' things for performance or pleasure, and I assure you, I've met a fair few gay guys by this point. You might not believe me, but actually, the majority of homosexual males are oversized, bulging he-men who chug down full bottles of bourbon and rip the heads off feral cats.
(Possibly a complete fabrication.)
Still though. Gay guys. Just like other guys, except that they just like other guys. Most do not wear sequins, ever.
And personally? Drag queens shit me. Look, I have no problem with transpeople or transvestitism -
(For the uninitiated, transpeople are those who don't identify as a member of the sex they were born into. Transvestitism is a separate thing, basically amounting to a fetish for the clothing of the opposite sex. And if it gets you off, that's your business. Go have fun)
- but drag queens are something different. Drag is performance. Men who dress in showy women's gowns on stage are performing a caricature of feminine identity. They have exaggerated rolling hips, stalking heels, great curving scimitar lashes. It's a parody of women, and I think it's hideous. There's a strange mixture of mockery and admiration in drag performance, but I think it's time to quit with the mockery. If you admire women, then represent them for real. Sure, keep the theatrics if you must, but quit with the superficiality, the bitchiness, the perpetuation of one painful female stereotype.
So boys? Wipe that glitter lipstick off your smirking face. More femme than a real female? Don't give me that crap. Women don't look like that. Women don't act like that.
"But wait!" you cry. "Who shall we put on the pride floats?"
Well, it's not gonna be as sparkly, but here's what would be on the Miriam Pride Float:
People in love. Holding hands, sharing dessert. Kissing, hugging, dancing. Because that's what being gay is all about. It's about love. And love doesn't need sequins to sparkle.
...and if you absolutely must dress up in ladies' things and prance about on stage, here are a few drag queen characters I might enjoy.
- Drag Princess - Caffeinated Power Mum -
- Anchorwoman - Beloved Primary Teacher -
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