It seems like you can’t go anywhere at the moment without meeting someone who knows about RuPaul’s Drag Race. And while there have been numerous critiques of the show–and for drag culture in general–from feminists who believe it subjugates women, I’m firmly in the alternate camp.
In terms of feminism, a lot of people get tangled up in the specifics of what that word and movement actually means. For me, feminism needs to be thought of from the basic bottom line–equal rights for those that have been oppressed. That means absolutely fucking everyone. No matter your gender, your sexuality, the colour of your skin, where you come from, or how wealthy you are.
RuPaul’s Drag Race celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in the mainstream like nothing else ever has before. It’s showing that drag isn’t just acceptable; it’s part of everyday life. It’s a party (love you, Adore), that we’re all invited to.
“It’s about creating a culture mocking gender boundaries”
In terms of the arguments saying drag is anti-feminist, isn’t there that saying that imitation is the highest form of flattery? Drag culture is a celebration of women and femininity. Yes, they’re a bunch of men dressing up as women, but it’s a way of expressing the parts of their personalities that aren’t ‘socially acceptable’ because they’re regarded as more ‘feminine’. Also, drag culture is now changing in itself-bio queens, female drag, the rise of androgynous queens–it’s more about creating a culture mocking gender boundaries.
Gender is a social construct. At some point in history, someone (let’s face it, most likely a man) decided that all humans with a penis should henceforth be superior to those without dangly appendages. “We must act this way, and you others with the chest balloons and inner reproductive parts must act this way or you shan’t be allowed the fire”–genuine historical caveman conversation, probably.
Gender is fluid. Some women have personality traits that are considered to be more ‘masculine’, some men have more feminine traits. There are no rules or boxes for gender and people shouldn’t judge others within that framework. Sure there are technically two different types of reproductive systems, if we’re being pedantic and ignoring the psychological side of gender, but in that argument, are women without a womb less of a woman? Or indeed, are men with no testicles less of a man?
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 9 Queens
National trashbag P*ers M*rgan recently had a tweet-tantrum about MTV’s gender-neutral acting award, because he was worried about the boundaries of gender disintegrating. Well what the fuck is wrong with that? We’re already starting to blur those lines–Drag Race being one of the things waving it’s big ass blending sponge in the air like it just don’t care. For P*ers, and those that agree with him, let me tell you a little story. Back in the day, we could only paint with three colours; red, yellow and blue. One day, some experimental genius decided to mix them – GASP (a la Jocelyn Fox, wah wah)–and would you look at that, orange, green and purple. What beautiful colours. We decided that we liked having more of a choice and continued mixing. Now we have a whole array of wonderful shades and colours. Happy gender mixing, everyone!
“Bullying, family abandonment/estrangement, HIV/AIDS, addictions to drugs or alcohol, transitioning or even gay conversion. It hits you-hard.”
And that’s what drag is-it’s shades of gender. Before watching RuPaul’s Drag Race I had a naïve outlook on drag. I thought it was this very exaggerated, one-look comedy pastiche that was only for hosting male strip shows. But it’s so much more than that–it’s art. There are so many different styles – traditional comedy queens, alternative comedy queens, pageant queens, grunge queens, goth queens, burlesque queens, glamour queens old Hollywood glamour queens, fashion queens, artistic queens, impersonators, Anime/cosplay queens-and then there are those that don’t actually fit in any category. I’ve come to learn that, though they are an art form in the way of stage characters, they are actually an extension of their personalities.
That’s one of the best things about RuPaul’s Drag Race - it doesn’t shy away from exploring both (or all) sides of the contestants personalities. You see their best side (the one fiercely stomping that runway) and you see their insecurities and their journey to get to where they are now. So many of the queens have been through incredible pain and troubles to find their whole self – bullying, family abandonment/estrangement, HIV/AIDS, addictions to drugs or alcohol, transitioning or even gay conversion. It hits you-hard.
And yet they all project absolute and ferocious confidence when they are their drag selves – perhaps because of that journey. It’s something that I think ALL women should adopt day to day – women too can be fabulous drag queens (Hieee Crème Fatale). That confidence of wearing an outfit that makes you feel incredible–or even when you’re naked (the season 7 opener bared all)- and being unapologetic about it is something you should 100% take away from the series. You are fabulous, so OWN IT.
The show is a competition, so of course there are definite stereotypically competition show moments, but it never takes itself too seriously – just like an actual drag show. You have stupid tasks, hilarious costumes and catchphrases that will never again leave your brain. The drama and bitchiness are what you live for week to week – those queens will read each other like nobody’s business (for the uninitiated, reading is jokingly insulting each other, like comedians here would rip into Jimmy Carr about his taxes) but when shit gets real, all the queens rally around each other. They talk about sisterhood and family, and you really get a sense that the drag community is just that–and you want to be part of it.
And if you don’t watch the show for any of that, watch it for RuPaul’s ridiculously gorgeous dresses. They’ll make you want to wear ball gowns and full make up to Tesco, no matter who you are.
Now, sashay away and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race. And don’t fuck it up.
