A History of Drag

Drag, exaggerated gender expression, often involving cross-dressing and performed in the context of entertainment has been a part of many cultures for thousands of years. It was born in response to religious misogyny and continued in that vein through the rise of theater. But once women were allowed on stage, drag lived on because it also serves many other important purposes; including self expression and subverting traditional gender norms. Drag has been at the heart or on the fringes of every major development in entertainment, and it has had an outsizes influence on fashion, language and culture. So put on whatever makes you feel most fabulous, be it a decadent gown and wig, a bespoke tuxedo and tails or something we’ve never seen before as we sashay through the history of drag and meet many marvelous drag kings and queens along the way...

Check out the History Tea Time Podcast:

Music: Dream Of The Ancestor by Asher Fulero

Sources:

The Bowery Boys “Absolutely Flawless: A History of Drag in New York”
Betwixt The Sheets “Drag Queens”

[pocketsizeforyourtravelcon]

Interesting fact: the Latin American Spanish voice for Ursula is an actual drag queen named Serena Olvido.

[bjleifheit]

I live in Oregon, we just lost one of nearest and dearest Drag Queens; Darcelle, the world's oldest working drag queen, has died at 92 March 25, 2023, PORTLAND, Ore. — Walter Cole, better known as the iconic drag queen who performed for decades as Darcelle XV and a fearless advocate for Portland's LGBTQ+ community, has died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon. He was 92.

[avaglennon]

It's so funny to me that people thought female homosexuality didn't exist. It's always "oh their just friends!" Even though those "friends" kiss, hold hands, live together, and neither ever marries.

[itstheendoftheworld.]

Lindsey, Yass Queen! Thank you for enlightening people with the HISTORY of drag. Drag is in no way a new "trend." People need to be educated, and you are doing a fabulous job of it!

[Shaheen]

As a drag queen, I thank you for this video. Drag is not a crime. It's an art form that seeks to entertain people.

[Genevaave]

OMG, I love this channel. I'm a member of the first gay black house in the world. The International House Of LaBeija. I just saw a pic of our founder the Trailblazing Crytal Labeija. I'm a 30-year member. She single-handedly created this entire sub-culture of the gay black community in was the 60s and racism (yes racism in the gay community). She was very fair skinned and was able to compete in gay white beauty pageants, one competition she had obviously won instead of just accepting the decision of coming in third place while she was standing on the stage, and in protest of the beauty contest. She walked off the stage. When she took the courage to walk down those seven stairs. A new subculture of the gay black community was created and celebrated by members of our community. It was the same courage that Rosa Parks used when she refused give up her seat for the white male passenger. The one is the gold with the black glasses is our mother the Iconic Pepper LaBeija she took over after Cystal passed away and grew the house to major new members. They laid down the foundation for the International House Of LaBeija. My father is the ICONIC OVER-ALL Father Derrick LaBeija. We SPEAK their names Crystal, Pepper, Portia, and Derrick LaBeija. We SPEAK your name. THANKS FOR THIS ONE. I can't wait to watch it

[caroleenolyn]

I can’t put into words how important it is and how meaningful that you took the time to create this video. Especially highlighting kings as well!

[leanne]

great documentry! As a Brit, i've been a bit bemused and horrified to see the hatred and vitriol spewed against Drag from the US - we have grown up with pantomime and mainstream TV drag acts and are generally comfortable with it, I would say it is an intrinsic part of our culture. It's pure entertainment, nothing subversive about it at all, just fabulous!

[VJAllison]

Drag is a beautiful art form. A lot of the drag queens I've met over the years do a lot of charity work, and one I know has their own show to teach people from all walks of life how to cook, clean and do a lot more.

[mirandasue]

what a great video! Goes to show that drag and LGBT+ interests are not just for certain people. It’s for everyone! It’s a part of our history as the human race.

[jobivuvuvfvi]

I don’t usually comment on your videos, but I’ve been watching your channel for the past year or so. I really enjoy your videos, and I’m so happy to see you including people like me in your recounting of history. You’re awesome.

[hahs]

Thank you so much for this, queer history is so important to document because of the countless times our community has had its history erased

[PorshaUnleashed]

Thank you for everything you do Ms. Lindsey ❤❤❤! You are a beautiful being! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤎🖤🩶🤍

[LelaLuster]

Often as black, queer people, you’re not “supposed to be, ” black AND queer and so much of that thinking in our community, though homophobic, is tied in with the struggles we’ve already faced, of course including slavery… seeing William, whom I had never heard of until last week… made me cry. 🩵 I mean he was a slave, then a former slave, AND openly and expressively, queer…. Though you know, it’s always nice to be reminded that we lgbtq+, have always existed. Thank you for this video. 🩵

[lindseystein]

It’s so important for people to know drag has been around for a VERY long time, especially with the more recent trend of anti drag and anti trans nonsense.

[dylanraewulf]

Thank you for continuing to use your platform to educate and stand up against hatred and bullying. I’m proud of you and proud to follow you! Also I’ve learned a lot from you as a queer POC it’s wonderful to see representation! It’s so important. You’re wonderful!

[My_mid-victorian_crisis]

THANK YOU!!! I joined the LGBTQIA+ community in the mid-90s with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I became a foster parent, specializing in LGBTQIA+ youth in '11. I also became a King in that year. Our history is vast and varied and so overlooked in this cis/het-normative world.

[bayASMR]

‘Don’t be a drag, just be a queen!’ 👑
Such a lovely, fitting video to round out pride month from one of my favorite channels. Thank you, Lindsay!

[Suzicherie]

Thank you supporting these marginalized people. They need more of us allies speaking up on their behalf. I am a Christian who believes we are to love our neighbors as Jesus said. LGBTQ+ folks are indeed our neighbors.

[displacerkatsidhe]

My great great grandmother's little brother was in vaudeville too!