#DragQueenHistory during 1942 12 December

Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling, drag queen blogger, back with another fabulous entry! December is finally here, which means festive cheer, twinkling lights and of course... a whole new season of fabulous drag to discover! And guess what? I'm about to take you on a grand tour of the world of drag, back to a particularly exciting moment in drag history: December 12th, 1942.

Hold onto your feather boas, darling, because today's journey takes us through a wartime whirlwind of entertainment, glamour, and a little sprinkle of subversive sparkle. Now, I know what you're thinking - war time? Surely drag couldn't have thrived in such a time of uncertainty? WRONG, darling! The spirit of drag is unyielding, and even in the midst of conflict, its flame of creativity shone brighter than ever.

So, pack your pink lipstick, your sharpest sense of humour, and prepare for an epic adventure. And remember, darling, the time machine for today's trip is, of course, my magical pink tutu, which just happens to be extra sparkly this month - all for you! Ready? Let's go!

Wham! We've arrived, my dears! And let me tell you, 1942 was a whole other ball game. Imagine wartime London, bomb sirens piercing the night sky, people huddling in darkened rooms. Not exactly what springs to mind when we think of glittering stage productions, but oh, dear friends, we are about to be amazed!

The year is 1942, and the world is at war. The Blitz, the heavy German air raids, has shaken the very foundations of the city, yet the spirit of Londoners remains defiant, even exuberant. Life went on, with a touch of wartime ingenuity, and as luck would have it, that includes the amazing world of drag. Now, whilst the glamour of pre-war drag might have been put on hold for a moment, there was something about that defiant wartime spirit that truly made it shimmer!

London’s underground, a secret labyrinth of underground clubs and speakeasies, became the unexpected stage for drag. This was not your traditional drag scene, no. It was raw, exciting, rebellious. Think smokey backrooms, hidden away from prying eyes, the air filled with smoky jazz tunes, and the thrum of laughter as talented queens performed for the masses who craved some much-needed escapism from the grim realities of wartime life. It wasn't about big productions, but about the joy of creating something fabulous and meaningful within the confines of war.

This time travel is, as usual, all about celebrating drag as a universal language, and this time, in the face of unimaginable adversity!

While the official world of drag may have been more toned down during the Blitz, behind closed doors, in these hidden, dimly lit speakeasies, a different type of drag blossomed - daring and rebellious, fuelled by the necessity for joy and creativity. This underground drag scene, like an exotic, rare bloom, flourished, with its very existence an act of defiance and an expression of artistic fortitude.

These queens weren't simply performers. They were storytellers. Their performances weren't just for entertainment but were deeply embedded within the fabric of those trying times. Through music, fashion, and playful satire, they managed to offer a ray of hope in the midst of despair. They lifted the spirits, provided laughter, and, most importantly, showed that life was worth living, even when the world felt dark and uncertain. These drag queens, many of whom were themselves risking so much just to perform, represented something incredibly special - they reminded us that even in the face of darkness, the human spirit, much like our favourite glitter, will always find a way to sparkle!

Now, remember, my dear lovelies, that back in 1942, drag was a very different scene from what we have today. For starters, these talented queens didn’t have access to the fabulous, bright colors and fabulous materials that we are blessed to enjoy in our times! Imagine, my dears, how they would've loved to get their hands on the glorious shades of our fabulous modern world! But they, the queens of those times, turned adversity into creativity!

Using their ingenuity, these trailblazers managed to turn everyday items into show-stopping outfits. You're talking wartime rationing and shortages, remember? Yet, they made magic! Think patched-up clothes, repurposed materials, the most resourceful use of vintage pieces - their sheer tenacity in making the best out of their limited resources reminds us that true artistry flourishes under the most challenging circumstances!

It's so interesting how even under the harshest circumstances, humanity still found a way to celebrate life through art, and that, darling, included drag! These courageous drag performers who were brave enough to risk it all to share a bit of joy in a world cloaked in fear... Now those are my kind of queens! Their stories, my dear readers, remind us that creativity is a powerful force, capable of overcoming anything. And even though the world back in those days looked so very different from today, one thing remained constant - the yearning for sparkle, for a little something extra to elevate us from the humdrum. And that's where our magnificent drag queens came in!

Picture the scene - the lights dim in the speakeasy, the music fills the room with a smoky jazz beat, and our dazzling queens emerge in makeshift costumes, dazzling even in the midst of wartime gloom. A sequined scarf might become a dazzling dress. A tattered velvet curtain might become an opulent cloak. Remember my lovelies, the real magic lies in the imagination, in using every little thing you can get your hands on and transforming it into something magical and beautiful. And boy oh boy, those queens were wizards when it came to makeovers!

Let me tell you, it would have been so fantastic to see the queens in these smoky backroom venues, in their creations, so bold, so bright, even amidst the grey! The fact that drag thrived even during such uncertain times tells you how strong and resilient drag really is! Now, the outfits might have been slightly more makeshift compared to the extravagant garments we’re blessed to see on the runway today, but, remember my loves, this is not about a lavishness of materials but rather about an ingenuity of spirit!

This was a world of creative defiance, a world that truly captured the raw energy of drag as a form of liberation. In this atmosphere of shared adversity and a deep desire to bring back light and happiness, even the humblest performance could make the most powerful statement.

Let’s think of the drag queens of this period, back in 1942. Not just entertainers, but revolutionaries, champions of courage and resilience. They reminded us all that even in the most turbulent times, life still had a pulse, and it deserved to be celebrated.

They reminded us that drag was more than just putting on makeup and a wig - it was about transforming oneself, about embracing who you were even when society wasn’t ready to embrace you back. It was a time where drag was, in a way, a protest without saying a word. Just being their fabulous selves in that moment! It's a beautiful thing, and those queens from that era, even though we don’t always know their names or see their faces, remain heroes in my heart!

The story of drag is more than just the glitter, my lovelies. It’s a journey of resilience, transformation, and self-expression. It's a story of defying norms and finding strength in shared joy, And in a world gripped by war, that glimmer of happiness was a truly magical thing.

This time travel trip to 1942 has been so humbling and empowering, darling. The underground scene reminded me of the roots of drag - that fierce sense of community and celebration that shines through regardless of circumstance.

Even today, as I see drag queens using their voices to empower and uplift others, I can't help but be reminded of those courageous queens who risked it all for a moment of escape and a glimpse of joy during the war years. Their spirit, their creativity, their strength shines brighter than ever through the pages of our collective history. They showed us, then, as many queens have done since, how the true beauty of drag lies in the shared sense of family, in the unwavering power of self-expression. And, yes, darling, in the sheer magic of finding joy, even in the most unexpected places!

And as always, dear friends, the ultimate message remains: Wear a pink tutu - every single one of you.

Until next time, stay fabulous, stay bold, and always, always be yourselves!

Love,

Emma

(Remember to check out Emma's website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more time travel adventures and drag news! And don't forget to check out your local drag scene - support the artists, have fun, and spread the pink tutu magic! )