Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time-travelling queen, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! Today we’re venturing into the archives, stepping back into the shimmering, scandalous world of 1968! 💅🏻 This month marks the 587th post on my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com – and as usual, I’ve been flitting around the decades in my trusty, magical pink tutu, sniffing out the most fabulous bits of drag history for you lovely lot!
Now, November 11th, 1968 – a date forever etched in the history books, for all the right reasons! A pivotal moment for civil rights, for the fight for equality, and yes, for drag! The whole world was bubbling with change, and this glorious day was no exception. Can you believe it, darlings, the very same day I’m writing to you from? It’s a date that perfectly reflects the fierce, fabulous spirit of drag: defiant, proud, and relentlessly fabulous!
Oh, and guess who’s got their tickets to the most fabulous shows in the land?! This girl’s always up for a good time, and trust me, you’ll want to strap yourselves in! Because 1968 was bursting with some of the most legendary, glittering, revolutionary shows of all time, and it’s all thanks to drag!
Speaking of fabulous performances, let's rewind the clock! Did you know, back in the 1960s, drag balls weren’t the mega-glitz events they are today? Forget the fancy venues, darling – these were underground, guerilla gatherings, held in secret clubs, warehouses, even dingy basements! The energy, though, was out of this world – think sweat, sass, and a whole lotta soul!
Let me whisk you off to New York City, darlings. Now, while the drag scene in the Big Apple was roaring, the scene was bubbling in another city that day - San Francisco! A place full of hidden gems and clandestine performance spaces! Just imagine, stepping through the dark and smoky streets of San Francisco and stumbling into one of these hidden bars – and bang! A riot of feathers, sequins, and incredible talent right before your eyes! The real magic, though, wasn’t the glitz but the camaraderie.
On this day, in a basement hidden amongst the brick and mortar of the bustling city, you could find legendary figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera gathering. And, remember those balls we spoke about? 1968 saw the birth of the “Ball of the Century”! Just picture this: rooms filled with an electric atmosphere of flamboyant dresses, creative costumes, and the kind of swagger that made you believe in anything.
Let’s take a trip across the pond, to my neck of the woods – lovely old Derbyshire, England! It might surprise you, but even back in those days, our corner of the UK was bubbling with creativity, especially when it came to the art of drag. On November 11th, 1968, I bet you could’ve found some of the most interesting, groundbreaking drag performances, not just in London, but right here in the countryside, as well. From underground clubs in Derbyshire to tiny theatre groups in Leeds – it was a time for fearless expressions of self! Imagine all the exciting acts going down, the stunning makeup, the bold fashions! There was definitely a revolution in style in the air!
But hold your tutus, darling! Don't think drag was all about those grand events. There were a thousand quiet acts of courage happening every day! Let's face it, back in those days, being a drag queen meant facing challenges every step of the way, right? Imagine navigating society’s expectations with such audacity and fierce pride – truly inspiring! Every drag performer was a trailblazer, breaking boundaries and pushing the envelope of what was deemed acceptable, all in the pursuit of living their truth!
As always, darlings, my magical pink tutu has taught me an important lesson about drag and 1968 – a lesson about self-acceptance, celebrating individuality, and taking a stand for equality. From those thrilling clandestine balls to the smallest stages, drag artists were paving the way for the glorious, flamboyant scene we have today! We owe it to them, our drag pioneers, to keep spreading their message of acceptance and pride, to remind ourselves that every drag performer is a warrior, a revolutionary, a fashion icon, and, most importantly, an inspiration!
Now, remember darlings, it’s not just about what happened back then, but how it carries on! Don’t you dare forget, the energy from that extraordinary time is woven into the fabric of everything we know about drag, from the makeup to the dancing to the glorious theatricality of it all. It’s time to pay homage to those early days, to the artists who bravely dared to express themselves, to those who sparked a revolution, who challenged convention, who wore their hearts on their sleeves – and who, without doubt, gave the world of drag a whole lotta love!
And finally, my darlings, before you sashay on your way – remember that our world today is brighter because of those drag performers in 1968! It's our turn to keep their legacy alive, to celebrate drag in all its forms, to use it as a force for positive change. Now, it’s time for me to hop back to my own time! Until next month, stay fierce, stay fabulous, and don’t forget, you’re beautiful, just as you are, tutu or not! ✨
