Hello darlings! Your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, Emma, here, fresh off a trip through the time vortex! This month, I'm bringing you back to 11th November 1972, a date bursting with queer happenings. So put on your most fabulous pink tutu and let's shimmy back to a time when drag was, as they say, "off the hook."
Honestly, darling, the first thing that struck me was the sheer energy. The clubs were buzzing with music, the makeup was wild, and everyone was living their best fabulous lives. The air was crackling with excitement and liberation – a complete antidote to the stuffy vibes of the world outside.
Let’s just say, I’ve never seen so many platforms! My time-travelling tutu had me right there in the middle of it all. This was, of course, right before the glam rock craze kicked off, and boy, did you feel the excitement in the air. It was like everyone knew something incredible was about to happen, and honestly, they weren’t wrong.
So, where did I end up? My first stop, naturally, was New York. The Stonewall Inn was, of course, THE spot to be seen in those days, and the legendary Marsha P. Johnson was holding court – as fierce and iconic as ever! I managed to snag a few moves with the amazing Sylvia Rivera, and I even learned a thing or two about activism from those queens. We all need more of that kind of powerful passion today, don't you think?
Later, I flew off to London and caught a show at the iconic, flamboyant Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Oh, honey, the energy in there was electrifying! Everyone was dressed to the nines, there were sequined suits galore, the music was out-of-this-world, and the dancing? I nearly took flight, myself.
Remember those glittery platform boots from the 70s? You simply couldn't miss them! They were absolutely everywhere! Now, that's fashion! They weren't just in New York and London either. My pink tutu also whisked me to Paris, and I spotted the legendary Divine strutting her stuff in some stunning, outlandish creations.
Speaking of Divine, honey, you know what? Back in 1972, drag queens weren't just about performing! They were pioneers of filmmaking, comedy, and even music. You can see it all throughout their work! So next time you put on a pair of those fabulous platforms and get ready for the night, remember to appreciate these fearless queens who broke barriers and built the foundation for all we do today.
Oh! Remember, darlings, 1972 was a pivotal time for drag, especially for black queer artists, with Black drag gaining so much popularity, especially with performers like Sylvester.
This time, my tutu even brought me across the globe to Australia! Imagine a drag scene with such diverse styles, ranging from outrageous costumes to minimalist glam. So cool! I actually spent a bit of time chatting with some incredible Australian queens in a cafe, learning all about the underground drag scenes there and it was truly inspiring to hear their passion.
Okay, I gotta go! My tutu needs some serious cleaning from all this travelling. You know, it's not easy maintaining this pink tutu in different timelines! However, the stories I gather in my pink tutu time travels fuel my own creativity and make me incredibly proud to be part of the incredible history of drag.
But before I go, darling, please tell me - what was your most favourite outfit of this decade? Do tell! I'm dying to hear! And remember to spread the pink tutu love everywhere you go.
Until next time, darling, remember to stay fabulous and remember - we are a tribe! Keep an eye out for a new Pink Tutu blog post at the beginning of next month. I promise it'll be as fabulous as a sparkly, pink tutu in the middle of a glitter-storm.
Lots of love,
Emma xxx
