“We are born naked and everything else is drag.” This quote truly symbolizes what drag is. Drag is an art form that is deeply ingrained in our culture. Men have a history of portraying women in theater since ancient Greece and even modern media is filling with men wearing drag. Spanish television and Super X Clusivo’s “La Comay” has men dressed as women to to laugh and be jovial.
The Beatles penned about a drag Queen named Desmond in their song “Oblah-dee Oblah-da” and talked about the metaphorical face of Eleanor Rigby that was kept by the door. These faces we all wear, but we have become so accustomed to our own it’s shocking to see someone step away from the norm.
Baskets with Louis Arnold, Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire, Madea movies, Eddie Murphy in his Norbit films, and even John Travolta in “Hairspray” are examples of Hollywood drag. And how it’s become somewhat normal. Drag is a character that a person dons.
When you go to a concert, work, event, or celebration you wear an appropriate face, or drag. One could even say that Minnie Mouse at Disneyland is a form of drag because regardless of who is underneath the facade(male/female), the character still exists as “She”. For some Drag Queens, their character is a suit of armor that gives them the courage to face scrutiny. Some of these “queens” find solace in the character and transition the person underneath as well. For others it’s simply a chance to showcase their talent and artistic expression. It can be family friendly as is the case of Daisy Duck, but can be adult rated as is the case with William Belli.
I wear spiked jackets when I want to be left alone in my emo moods and jean ones when I want to be more cowboy and outgoing. No matter your style, you do drag everyday and you don’t even know it. From the soccer mom to the business woman, dressing for the occasion is always a hint of theater because you’re presenting your character to the world.
Keep doing what makes you happy, so you don’t end up old, sad, and lonely!!