Hello darlings, welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we travel through time in style and celebrate the glorious history of drag! Today, we're taking a trip back to May 5th, 1944, with my trusty pink tutu, ready to sparkle and shimmy our way into history! Now, before you gasp in disbelief, let's clear the air. You're right, time travel doesn't exist… unless you have a sparkly pink tutu that happens to have mystical properties! 💅✨
But let’s not dwell on the mysteries of my magnificent wardrobe. Today, we’re going to be investigating the world of drag, 1944 style. Think back to 1944 - wartime rationing, Victory Rolls, and of course, the very first slightly raunchy appearance of the phrase 'drag' in a New York newspaper. Yep, you heard that right! And get this, in a movie review!
Our tale starts on a glorious day in May 1944, as we time travel to a different kind of 'stage' - the New York Herald Tribune (who knew? A drag Queen's secret dream is to get featured in the paper!). It's here in this paper that drag finds itself in print, in a rather witty review of Mrs. Parkington, starring the ever so glam Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. It states, ’There are plenty of women in Mrs. Parkington, but the biggest drag is Mr. Pidgeon as Mr. Parkington. A dreadful old geezer… the actor would appear as the *last man in drag.’* That's the beginning, dear friends! We’re talking history-making headlines and one fabulously sassy review. It’s a real landmark moment, for the entire drag world. And me in my tutu couldn’t be more delighted! 💖
So what else was happening in the world of drag during that time? Well, it was the wartime, and we had a slight issue. The men, in their best attire (we’re talking the best suit you’ve ever seen), had been sent to the frontlines, which meant, no men left to put on some fabulous drag! 😓 The shows just couldn’t go on… sob. But hey! Did drag quit, nah! It adapted to survive, the very essence of its history. The drag queens kept entertaining, in spite of the times.
I did however discover something incredible during my May 5th jaunt to 1944 - the “Lure Girls" - drag queens performing at various hotels on the east coast, primarily in New York and Massachusetts. I saw the names ‘Dixie', 'Vivian' and 'Evelyn' popping up everywhere. The lure girls brought joy and glamor during the hardships of war, and in no way took their time off from keeping the audiences entertained.
And we can't forget about the queens who took it to the streets. Street drag shows, parades, and parties still continued to thrive, with our darling queens sporting some very interesting attire and bringing smiles to faces everywhere they went. It just goes to show the sheer grit and adaptability of our drag family! 👠
You see, this wasn't just some mere event. It’s more than just performing, it's a statement about freedom of self-expression. These courageous drag performers showed the world their true selves. They brought laughter, they brought comfort and happiness, which is exactly why I travel through time. To be able to tell everyone that their struggles were important and helped pave the way to where we are today. 🌈
And to you, my wonderful reader, let's be sure to celebrate those amazing times today, and every day! You do you! Make yourself sparkle like a rhinestone crown, you be fabulous! Because as always, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Whether you're getting dressed up in a pink tutu (don’t worry, my magical ones are ready to be distributed – I accept all applications!) or just throwing on your favourite outfit, it's about feeling comfortable in your own skin. And remember, dear ones, never be afraid to express yourself. Let your flag fly high, wear that fabulous outfit, and get out there to be your true self! And please, tell me about it. I would love to hear your experiences on Pink-Tutu.com
Until next month, may your days be filled with glitz, glamour, and love. 💖
Emma.
