Hiya Darlings!
Emma here, your fabulous friend from Derbyshire, back with another dazzling entry in my time-travelling drag diary.
This month, my trusty, sparkly, time-traveling pink tutu whisked me off to a chilly January day in 1954! Now, this was before drag became the mainstream spectacle we adore today, but even back then, it was a vibrant scene simmering with creativity. The 1st January always brings a new wave of energy, a feeling of possibility.
It's time to go pink with the past!
Let's travel back...You know I can’t help but admire those brave souls in 1954, living their truth, rocking fabulousness under the radar. In that pre-Stonewall era, the queer experience was… let’s just say not everyone’s cup of tea. It was a time of tight-lipped societal expectations and hiding one's true colours behind closed doors.
But, I have a secret! I met a wonderful group of women dressed up as men – the legendary 'Ballroom Queens' in New York, a tight-knit community that started back in the 1920s! They met secretly at private clubs, held fabulous balls, and let their fabulous selves flourish. Talk about hidden talents! The creativity was electrifying, the energy absolutely palpable!
And you know what I found out? Back in 1954, the Ballroom Queens were the real 'house' of high fashion! These queens had a flair for styling, pulling together outlandish looks from whatever materials they could get their hands on. A splash of colour here, a feather boa there - their creations were, simply put, absolutely smashing! And to think, the glamorous ball gowns were just repurposed curtains or old wedding dresses, what a triumph of imagination! It felt like the coolest 'upcycled' vintage thrifting shop ever! This generation paved the way for the future generations of queer community - the pioneers, the originators - I applaud their bold energy!
Speaking of fabulousness, imagine me: I’m standing at a dimly lit speakeasy in Manhattan, surrounded by these charismatic queens - everyone is smoking cigarettes and sipping on a potent 'something something something' cocktail (they won't tell me what's in it!), all to the music of jazz.
I, Emma, in my pink tutu, a literal rainbow amongst black and white, standing out more than a neon sign in a dark alley.
It was... Well, a bit overwhelming! But hey, who needs a spotlight when you're dazzling like this?
The Rise of the 'Drag Ball'I’ll be honest; the scene felt so powerful it gave me shivers down my tulle petticoats.
Imagine a drag scene where, in a dimly lit club, a bunch of men, (who we would call women, right?!) are dressing to the nines in all their finery, in an era of strict societal rules, that’s just, incredible! They threw themselves into extravagant costumes, with incredible passion. The ballroom scene became a haven, a celebration of self-expression.
Now, let's not forget the rest of the world - there were so many amazing things happening outside the big smoke: drag was being embraced all over, though under the radar.
Let's have a quick peek around the globe:
England: England was the home of the cross-dressing theatre performer – you wouldn’t have found the queens of 1954 flaunting themselves in clubs and balls like their New York counterparts, but the iconic, comedic drag of English music halls and thespians had already made a name for themselves. We know them, the legendary panto Dames, a tradition still going strong today!
Think Dame Edna, and Charlie Drake - some real comic icons who definitely helped drag make its way into English pop culture. Remember, even back then, 'drag' was so much more than just the glitz, glam, and sequins (even though I love a sequin). It was, at its heart, about a bit of fun and giving the public exactly what they wanted. Laughter and a sprinkle of 'extra'!
Australia: Drag has always been a part of Aussie culture, and it started as early as the 1800s! The earliest forms were ‘drag queens’ on stage - entertainers performing sketches in lavish outfits. In the mid 1900s, drag really blossomed!
It wasn’t just the entertainment aspect - drag started to gain traction within queer culture as well! Imagine: imagine this wonderful culture bursting with creativity, an outpouring of self-expression in a society that tried to suppress it, just beautiful! You see, the queens have never needed validation, they were shining from day one!
Let’s bring it back home.It wasn’t until the late 50s and early 60s that we started to see a more 'open' drag scene. And, well, the late 60s are, for a good reason, the cornerstone of drag culture!
We can’t forget the groundbreaking events and characters that lead to what we have today. We see what we see on a TV screen and take it for granted; this didn’t happen by magic!
This amazing community we’ve got today grew on the shoulders of those early trailblazers. Those Queens with courage who took the stage before they knew 'being yourself' would one day be encouraged! They had to pave the way for us!
And my dears, let’s not forget about our love for history! As a drag queen, our journey, our passion, and the stories of our lives are what make us so unique!
So, to wrap up today’s time travel - this year, we need to spread the pink love and appreciate the drag roots that built this world.
Keep being you, love each other, stay sparkly!
*Oh, and never stop rocking those tutus - your dreams are always fabulous! *
xx Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
