Oh, hello darlings! Emma here, back with another fabulous foray through the dazzling, glamorous world of drag history! It's the 1st of January 1974 and your favourite pink tutu-clad time-traveller is positively buzzing with excitement for this journey, so grab your feather boas and let's get to it, babes!
First off, a quick update on this lovely little life: It's been a busy December, what with the holidays and everything. It seems everyone's getting in the festive spirit and, honestly, who could blame them? The shops are awash with glittering tinsel, carols are playing on repeat, and even the pigeons are wearing tinsel around their necks. Oh, the sheer glamour of it all! But before we let Christmas get too wrapped up in our memories (pun intended!), we must turn our attention to this absolutely fabulous trip, because darling, 1st January 1974 is just begging to be documented!
Now, for the main attraction! The 1st of January 1974... Can you even imagine, darlings? This time capsule of glam is ready to be unboxed! Imagine if your 1974 self, the you with a fondness for bell bottoms, platform boots, and maybe a dab of glitter, could experience the world of drag today! Imagine the wig-snatches, the lip-sync battles, the breathtaking runway walks! It would be absolutely divine! But alas, we have to travel to this year to understand just how fabulous it was.
I'm heading back to New York City, which, for many of you, is a haven of artistic expression, but back in 1974 it was a city undergoing a cultural revolution.
Imagine a cityscape still bearing the scars of the turbulent Sixties, but radiating with the energy of new ideas and the defiant joy of finding your true self. Oh, and you simply can't forget about the music, darling! Disco was at its peak, pumping through every speakeasy and nightclub. Can you imagine that kind of vibe on a Friday night, let alone a Tuesday?!
Now, you know I simply cannot travel through time without exploring the world of drag in its true glory, right? This year, we need to take a moment to pay homage to a woman named Marsha P. Johnson, an icon of the LGBT+ movement who has had a significant impact on our world of glitter, feathers, and fantastic hairdos!
You might recognise Marsha's name from the Netflix documentary 'The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson' - an absolutely beautiful, heart-wrenching journey into her incredible story. Imagine a world without Marsha's voice, her fearlessness, her incredible, brave spirit! In 1974, she was still just getting started with her incredible, tireless work fighting for LGBT+ rights.
And darling, even back in those early years, there were many wonderful places in the Big Apple for fabulous folks to let loose, twirl, and show off their fabulousness! Think the Stonewall Inn, an iconic location for queer life, not to mention one of the original sites of the Stonewall riots of 1969 - a watershed moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
There's so much to discover and learn about these iconic venues and the fierce performers who made them so magical. Back then, drag queens like Divine, Holly Woodlawn, and Jackie Curtis were absolutely setting the stage for our modern world of glitter, feathers, and unforgettable lip-syncs. These were the pioneers who paved the way, daring to dream, express, and inspire us all.
I, myself, always have my pink tutu and dancing shoes ready for a journey back in time to be surrounded by these icons, to witness their talent and creativity firsthand. It's always such a glorious privilege to see these artists, each in their unique way, challenge societal norms and redefine beauty, breaking boundaries and pushing the world of entertainment beyond limits.
You simply cannot forget how impactful these incredible icons have been on modern-day drag, and they certainly have the pink tutu wearer buzzing with excitement! These legendary personalities gave a whole new meaning to fabulous, pushing for inclusion and equality - it's just truly a divine inspiration!
And for you lovely readers back home in Derbyshire, don't think we are forgetting you! You are, after all, my biggest cheerleaders, and the people that fuel this time-traveling, tutu-loving engine! So, before we close out this fabulous trip, we've got to find a little inspiration closer to home, shall we?
Well, darling, in Derbyshire, 1974 was definitely an exciting time for drag, but you needed a certain “look” – it had to be polished, and I mean a look that’d set the tone! You’ve gotta love the vintage look, right?! It’s definitely not the time for subtle drag! I remember hearing from a fellow drag queen, who I had the pleasure of sharing a performance with during a visit, that her absolute favourite place to find drag fashion back then was the local vintage shop on the Market Street - think, all those glam bellbottoms and glittery shirts just begging for a grand entrance! It wasn’t just about clothes; it was all about taking ownership of your personal style, with that ‘out-of-the-box' fabulousness that we love so much!
I'm not going to lie, darlings, as much as I adore seeing our world of drag evolve, there is a certain something to 1974 that makes it hard to resist. Perhaps it’s the vintage glamour, the sense of pushing boundaries, or the simple fact that drag in those days felt a little bit more rebellious. It’s certainly something I feel lucky to have been able to see with my very own eyes!
But you know what else makes my heart flutter, darlings? It’s seeing all of you, my lovely readers, wearing your own unique pink tutus! From those with the twirliest of feathers to the most shimmery of sequins, seeing your personal interpretations of this simple but truly glorious garment fills my heart with joy.
Remember, darlings, no matter where we travel in time, the most important thing is the joy of expressing yourself and the community that we build by celebrating diversity and finding those common threads of joy, passion, and creative expression. We’re a vibrant, colourful bunch, and that’s truly something special, a beautiful reminder that kindness, acceptance, and celebration can be found in the tiniest of sparkles, the most vibrant of feathers, and even in the most delicate of pink tutus!
Now, I need to go and prep for my next performance in Nottingham. Stay tuned next month, for even more fabulous time travel and some sparkly fun!
Yours always in sequins,
Emma xoxo
