Drag queens are modern celebrities, who appear on magazine covers, launch their successful businesses and star in hit shows. The sheer scope of drag representation demonstrates that the art form enjoys its most popular period. RuPaul Charles, for instance, became one of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to the 2017 Times list, while Shangela appeared in the Oscar-nominated film A Star Is Born. To gain an in-depth understanding of drag, it is crucial to examine this cultural phenomenon’s historical background.
Surprisingly, cross-dressing appeared out of necessity since the first drag performers were male actors, who were impersonating females in plays (BBC, 2020). Theatre had religious origins, which explained why plays tended to include only men – women were simply not allowed to be involved in the church (BBC, 2020). Even though theater started to become more secular, the misogynistic traditions of religious plays dictated gender distribution in the cast.
Ryan Roschke (2019) focuses on two main points of drag’s origin: ancient Native American and Egyptian ceremonies as well as Japanese theatre. Japanese theatrical traditions of Noh and kabuki implied female impersonations because it was inappropriate for women to present themselves on full display during drama performances.
Cross-dressing has been integral in vaudeville, burlesque, and other performative art styles, according to Sam Sanders (2019). However, the turning point for drag was the club culture of New York City in the 1980s (Sanders, 2019). As of now, being a drag queen is much more than acting. It implies making a statement and becoming an activist for all of those who live in fear of being shamed for who they truly are.
In conclusion, drag has been a part of the social culture for centuries. As drag queens started to get more successful and recognized by mainstream media, it became crucial to examine the roots of drag as an art form. Ironically, its origins are misogynistic even though modern drag performers challenge gender norms and embrace their role as activists in fighting for equal rights and empowerment.
References
BBC (2020). The fabulous history of drag. Web.
Roschke, R. (2019). Sashay through the history of drag queen culture. Popsugar. Web.
Sanders, S. (2019). How drag queens have sashayed their way through history. NPR. Web.