#DragQueenHistory during 1965 07 July

Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my lovely lovelies!

It's your girl, Emma, here, fresh from a fabulous jaunt through the time portal, courtesy of my magical, twirling pink tutu! This month, we're twirling back to July 7th, 1965, darlings! Now, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into a decade of flamboyant fashion and groundbreaking drag!

Post #547: 1965, A Dragtastic Time Warp

As always, funding for my pink tutu fueled time travels comes directly from the sequins and sass of my dazzling drag performances. It’s all for the love of history, darling, and a few extra pounds in my purse for a fabulous shopping spree after I get back, of course.

Imagine this, dearies, no social media, no TikTok, no Instagram! Back then, the world discovered what was hot in drag via the grapevine, newspaper clippings and - my personal favourite - the good old gossip column! I simply love imagining the ladies of New York, Chicago or London catching a cab to a bustling downtown dive to watch their favourite queens strut their stuff under flickering neon lights, with just a rumour, or a mention in the local paper, to guide them!

Now, hold onto your tiaras, darling, because today, we’re stepping back in time to a world of… whispers dramatically… THE STRIPTEASE!

Yes, you heard that right. Back in the glorious days of 1965, the world of drag, as you’d recognise it, was very much in its formative stages. Think more cabaret, more variety show, less elaborate production and more... well, let's just say, more skin on display. It wasn’t your typical RuPaul’s Drag Race lip-sync battle, but imagine, you're whisked away to a dimly lit cabaret and, poof! out steps a glittering drag queen in a fabulous, sparkly gown - think sequined sheaths, lavish feathers, a touch of risqué lace…

Think glamorous and sultry, with the occasional flash of risqué movement. This, dearies, was the way it was.

New York, New York!

Now, imagine yourself in the beating heart of it all: New York City, 1965! Here, you’d find legendary drag palaces like the famed ‘Cafe au Lait’ and the ‘Stonewall Inn’ - legendary spots, steeped in drag history. These weren't your average night clubs, darling, these were beacons of liberation, places where LGBTQ+ communities gathered to express themselves, to celebrate their identity and to dance the night away, shedding their worries as easily as they shed their clothes.

Picture this: a cloud of cigarette smoke, a clinking glass of bourbon, a lively piano score, and the electrifying stage presence of drag performers pushing boundaries and defying societal norms, right before the eyes of a rapt audience.

While not every performance was considered ‘drag’ as we know it today, it was, and remains, a testament to the creative energy of queer artists pushing boundaries. Now that’s what I call, ‘true expression!’

Let’s get ‘street’ smart!

However, the drag scene wasn't limited to swanky clubs alone, oh no, darling. Drag was as much about street fashion as it was about performing. It’s why my darling pink tutu just had to visit the streets of 1965 to see the scene!

Think 1960s chic: the exaggerated silhouettes, the striking colours, the pop of fabulous makeup and dazzling jewellery - these elements gave rise to a truly unique look that helped define 1960s drag.

*“If you’re gonna be ‘out’ darling, you might as well make sure everyone can see you! That’s how the legend goes!” *

Here’s what we can learn:

Drag has always been about visibility, daring and self-expression. Whether it's the elaborate costumes, the playful banter or the unadulterated fun, drag queens have been challenging norms and celebrating individuality for decades. Now that's something we can all adore!

The World Beyond: A Peek into International Drag

Although New York and San Francisco might have held the title for ‘drag-tastic centres’ back in the ‘60s, dear reader, the scene was truly beginning to boom across the globe! The world of drag wasn’t restricted to America. The vibrant queer scenes of Europe, Asia, and even Australia were starting to embrace the magic of drag, even if a little more ‘hush hush’.

Now, let’s turn our pink tutu-wearing eyes to some of the places that were setting the stage ablaze, back in 1965:

Paris, Ooh La La! Paris, as always, was at the cutting edge of style. This, dearies, wasn’t just the fashion capital of the world but a playground for performers and artists. Picture drag queen legends, strutting their stuff at legendary Paris drag clubs like ‘Le Chat Noir’ or the iconic ‘Lido’. Think theatrical numbers, dazzling costumes, and performances pushing boundaries, and attracting international audiences. These places became places where artists of all walks of life could mingle and express themselves - something especially important during those times!

* London Calling! * And across the channel in London, darling, we find a different kind of magic! Although less glamorous than the New York or Paris scenes, this vibrant and artistic capital still had its fair share of queer hotspots and flamboyant performances!

Imagine: bustling Soho clubs and dimly-lit cabarets where queens strutted their stuff, all while dancing around ‘The Official Secrets Act’ and being very careful about getting on the wrong side of ‘the establishment’!

Now, let’s take a ‘virtual’ stroll through these legendary locations in our pink tutus, darling:

• The “Gatehouse”, known for its eclectic shows, and the “Ronnie Scott’s Club”, with its sophisticated and slightly ‘boho’ atmosphere, served as epicenters for London’s drag scene, albeit a little bit more low-key and reserved.
• But London wouldn’t be London without its share of rebellious nightlife spots! The ‘Ritz’ in Piccadilly was known to be an infamous meeting point for London’s queer society, even hosting daring “underground” events - always behind closed doors, with whispers of secret shows.

I’ve always said, darlings, where there's a party, there’s drag!

And, of course, darling, we can't forget my home turf, Derbyshire. While 1965 Derbyshire may not have been bursting at the seams with the dazzling cabaret drag that New York had, that doesn't mean there wasn't anything exciting going on! We were just beginning to break out of those stereotypical, 'conservative' British notions! A local drag queen might appear at a pub or a working men’s club in a fantastically flamboyant gown, doing what we called, ‘'camp cabaret'”, just as an occasional act, just as entertaining as those in the city.

But for Derbyshire, this era also signified something special. It’s around this time we were slowly, surely breaking free from these old, out-dated ways! I love to imagine brave queens sneaking around Derbyshire, with their feather boas, fake lashes and those 'outlandish' 60s gowns! It takes an especially daring queen, and especially glamorous outfit, to brave the sleepy streets of Derbyshire!

And there you have it, darling, a little glimpse into the dazzling world of drag on July 7th, 1965! As always, don't forget to keep an eye out for future updates. I'm off on my next pink-tutu fuelled escapade, and trust me, it's going to be a glamour-filled journey through time!

Until next month, stay sparkly, stay fierce, and most importantly, keep on twirling!

Xoxo, Emma

* www.pink-tutu.com*