#DragQueenHistory during 1969 07 July

Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, back with another dazzling chronicle of my adventures through history! Today we're whisking back to July the 4th, 1969 - a truly momentous year for so many reasons, but one we'll be focusing on for a particularly glam reason… The Stonewall Uprising! Now, let me just tell you, a good old fashioned riot with a strong queer message, that's right up my alley! 😉

Now, I always try to get my hands on as much fabulous drag history as I can and let me tell you, my friends, that particular summer of ’69 was absolutely buzzing with queer energy. That wasn’t just about the Uprising - although what happened at the Stonewall Inn certainly put a huge spotlight on queerness - it was a year when things started shifting in a much more inclusive direction. It's all a bit overwhelming trying to get your head around how different it was, darling, and how far we've come as a community. I've got to hand it to our foremothers and forefathers, the pioneers who paved the way for the glamorous world of drag we know and love today.

As soon as my magical pink tutu deposited me in 1969, I went straight for Greenwich Village in New York City, the heart of all the excitement! That part of Manhattan was already considered the epicentre of bohemian art and alternative lifestyles - all the more reason to check it out!

As soon as I touched down I could just FEEL the energy! That heady mix of hope and rebellion was absolutely infectious. Everyone looked like they were about to unleash some serious sartorial creativity. We're talking about a time when fashion was all about expressing yourself, so imagine the drag queens of the era, with all that wild freedom of expression – a drag queen's dream!

Now, I'm not gonna lie - my pink tutu did cause a bit of a stir. 1969 New Yorkers had a lot of style, but even they weren’t quite used to this level of tutu! There were some eyebrows raised, but for every slightly baffled glance, there was someone beaming at my delightful frills. And I loved the way my bright, vibrant pink seemed to amplify all the groovy colours around me - just a fabulous splash of 1960s joy!

On the 4th of July itself, the Stonewall Inn, that iconic spot right there in Greenwich Village, was filled with its usual mix of colourful souls, all getting their groove on to some amazing music. A raid on the bar, and all that inequality and prejudice that fueled it, had long been building, but that night it just boiled over. The brave folks who stood their ground, fighting for their rights in the face of violence, truly turned the tide for the LGBTQ+ community. It's incredible to see just how powerful those acts of resistance were - just incredible.

Now, while it’s important to remember the hardship and discrimination, it's also a chance to celebrate the strength and resilience of the queer community. The Stonewall Uprising really was the spark that ignited the LGBTQ+ movement as we know it today. I always like to remind myself and anyone who’ll listen that all our hard-earned progress comes down to the bravery of those who dared to speak out.

## The Drag Scene of 1969 - A Look Through History's Tutu

Back in those days, drag queens weren't as mainstream as they are today. But they were still absolutely captivating the nightlife scenes with their daring creativity. Now, I can’t reveal every drag queen I saw because, darlings, some of my visits do require a certain amount of discretion. But I can tell you that the scene was bursting with talented performers putting their own unique stamp on style and drag.

I also learned so much about the “underground scene” that night in 1969. From the hilarious queens in Greenwich Village hosting outrageous, and hilarious, parties, to the glam androgynous looks that graced some of the clubs, 1969 truly pushed the boundaries. And you bet your fabulous, pink tutu I wanted to soak up every single second!

## A Tutuful Note to my Readers

As I time-travel through history, my favourite moments always come down to those encounters with drag queens of the past. It’s so inspiring to hear those stories of strength, beauty, and outrageous, sometimes chaotic, fun. Drag is such a force of creative power that allows us to reinvent ourselves, defy norms, and express ourselves unapologetically. It’s what drives my love for my own art and why I try to share it with all of you.

And, of course, to make this blog even more amazing, I do ask, my dear readers: Where can you get a wonderful pink tutu of your own? It doesn’t matter if it’s feather-boasted, glitter-covered, or as plain as can be, get out there and get a pink tutu of your very own!

I love a good dance and even if it’s just a spin in your living room, let that pink tutu be the beginning of your story of creative, sartorial joy, darlings! It’s been said that the past is another country, but with our pink tutus, darling, it can become our personal playground. I’ll see you on next month’s journey - there’s so much more time traveling fabulousness to come!

Until next time, my darlings!

Yours in fabulousness,

Emma.

Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com.