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Even though the Drag Race franchise has taken the world by storm, misconceptions continue to rain on the parade of this affirming art form. But fear not, squirrel friends! On International Day of Drag today, in true drag and ballroom style, the library is open! Let’s get down to some drag history and basics, shall we?
Let’s talk Drag
Drag is an art form and a tradition dating back to ancient times. As long as there have been gender norms there have been people eager to play with them! Drag is an opportunity for people of any gender to swap, exaggerate, lampoon, and explore different gender expressions through art.
The modern idea of a drag show evolved through ball culture, pageants, and queens impersonating celebrities. Over time, drag has come to encompass kings, gender performers, makeup influencers, club kids, and more — from Karyl Norman who dazzled American vaudeville theatres in the 1920s to Toronto’s masked drag creature Yovska who competed on The Boulet Brother’s Dragula.
Time to Read
👠 Anyone can do drag. Drag performers are cisgender, trans, non-binary, genderfluid, gay, lesbian, asexual, bi+, straight, youth, elders, and every one in between! Drag is a persona, and anyone can do that!
👠 Drag story time just teaches everyone, especially children, to be kind. At drag story time, a drag performer reads a children’s book about respecting each other’s differences. All of us could use reminders to be kinder!
👠 Drag shows are about the performers. They deserve the stage, respect, and applause. Drag is exciting to watch, but remember to give performers their space and to refrain from touching them without consent.
👠 There are many types of drag: pageant drag, bearded drag, drag kings, drag things, horror drag, cosplay drag, clown drag, drag comedy shows in theatres, lip-sync extravaganzas in nightclubs, and family-friendly drag at libraries! And you know what? They’re all fabulous, and enrich our culture!
👠 They might make it look easy, but drag is hard work! Tip your performers if you can. Look, but don’t touch someone’s wigs, outfits, or makeup. Respect all types of drag, from the olympics of drag on Drag Race, to the local queen lip-syncing at the bar down the street.
Don’t be a Drag, just be a Queen!
As drag has risen to heights of popularity never thought possible through Rupaul’s Drag Race, it’s also found its share of party poopers. As misinformation has run rampant on far-right social media, drag shows have been protested and threatened across Canada and the United States, and even faced bogus legal action.
We are in solidarity with drag performers’ right to freedom of expression. Drag — like other art forms such as music or film — can be resistance, celebration, education, glamour, politics, or comedy. It can be family friendly or nightclub friendly. If you don’t like drag shows, then the answer is simple — don’t go! That’s more good vibes for the rest of us.
To our drag community, our Army of Lovers has your back. Keep slaying!
International Day of Drag – Drag 101 by The519
Drag Show Etiquette Guide
Designed by Tim Singleton for the Church Wellesley BIA is this extraordinary guide of etiquette!
“Every year, Toronto’s Church and Wellesley Village welcomes thousands of people, eager to attend and participate in drag shows. To help first time visitors, as well as seasoned audience members, the Drag Show Etiquette Guide was developed to inform about the do’s and don’ts while attending drag performances.”
