Hiya darlings! It's your gal, Emma, back from another fabulous trip through the time vortex! Today, my magical pink tutu whisked me back to June 1977, and oh my god, the glamour! Get ready for a campy chronicle of a truly legendary month in drag history. Let's get this pink tutu party started!
This month, the calendar said June 1977, and my itinerary said, “NYC!” Why? Well, honey, June 1977 meant The Cockettes! If you haven't heard of this legendary group of performers, then get yourself down to the local library pronto, darling!
These beautiful souls were true trailblazers in the world of drag, pushing boundaries and smashing stereotypes long before it was fashionable! Think vibrant costumes, hilarious comedy, and poignant social commentary all rolled into one outrageous, fabulous package! They weren't just doing drag, they were crafting a whole new kind of performance art!
The Cockettes had recently moved to New York, so, I knew I just had to catch one of their shows. Picture this: I’m standing in a crowded Greenwich Village theatre, pink tutu twirling (as usual!), a whole kaleidoscope of colour swirling around me. I’m beside myself with excitement as the curtains rise and a veritable feast of glamour and sass takes to the stage. I'm telling you, these queens were seriously avant-garde for their time - we're talking drag queens dressed as angels, fairy tale creatures, and even a mischievous little bunny rabbit, all in glorious costumes with makeup and wigs that would make a present-day Drag Race contestant green with envy! I almost shed a little pink glitter with happiness. It was simply fabulous!
But the real magic of The Cockettes was the sheer audacity and creativity they brought to the stage. They used their drag as a tool to make political and social commentary, tackling issues of sexuality, gender, and war. They used their platform to speak out against societal norms, and, let me tell you, it was brave, it was important, and it was most definitely hilarious!
While New York was buzzing with the fabulousness of The Cockettes, a whole new scene was blooming in London town. I've been back in the time machine several times, darlings, and I've noticed that 1977 marked the birth of something special: The London Gay Liberation Front. Now, I know this sounds a tad serious, and indeed it was. But this was also an extraordinary step forward for the LGBTQ+ community in Britain!
They held marches, organised meetings, and were incredibly vocal about the need for equal rights and the rejection of the unfair stigma surrounding the gay community. This kind of activism gave rise to a new breed of drag queens – they wanted to push the boundaries even further. I think it’s amazing how even those serious issues can make way for fantastic art and, most importantly, solidarity. This was the genesis of many drag scenes we see today and is, without a doubt, worth a little mention in my fabulous, pink tutu timeline of time travel!
And just for fun, back in good old Derbyshire, I spotted a few whispers about "disco dancing". While we didn't have proper nightclubs like the ones that were cropping up in the big cities, people started talking about how much fun this "new dance" was. Imagine a little disco fever in good ol' Derby, what a sight! My friends told me about this disco event that was happening at the local youth club. Honestly, I would've popped over if my tutu allowed it, but oh, dear, those polyester suits do NOT match my style!
Back in my time, there was also the annual Gay Pride march in London taking place. The marches, back then, were often accompanied by colourful floats and joyous street celebrations. I have to admit, this made me feel extra proud, just seeing all those queer souls, unapologetically themselves, dancing in the street. It was truly inspirational!
And of course, a trip through time wouldn't be complete without a little fashion fix, darlings! You know my passion for fabulousness. In 1977, fashion was anything but boring! The big trends were all about vibrant colours, flowing silhouettes, and that "groovy" feel that captured the zeitgeist of the time. Imagine platforms, bell bottoms, big hair and the bright, sparkly fabrics - just thinking about it brings back the good old disco era vibes! I had a ball at the local vintage shops, trying on some gorgeous sequined shirts and colourful dresses - I nearly had a "sparkle" attack!
In a world where the boundaries were being challenged, so was fashion. A new breed of designers emerged, bringing unconventional aesthetics to the forefront of mainstream fashion.
Speaking of mainstream, can we talk about “Saturday Night Fever?” This was the year this legendary movie premiered! John Travolta literally set the world ablaze with his white suit, those fabulous dance moves, and that undeniable charisma. And while it’s a whole other genre, I have to say, that film really embodied the rebellious and vibrant spirit of the time – a spirit that resonated deeply within the gay community, too.
Honestly, I found myself dancing like nobody was watching, rocking out in the middle of a New York City street! Imagine the looks I got, honey! People stopped to gawk at this wild woman in a pink tutu, shimmying to the iconic beat of “Stayin’ Alive”. The magic of drag is this kind of uninhibited expression! I mean, we could all use a little "Stayin' Alive" vibe in our lives, don't you think?
Overall, June 1977 was an incredible time in drag history. The Cockettes were pushing the boundaries of theatrical drag. A new sense of hope and community was forming in the LGBTQ+ movement. And people were living life in all its wild, free-spirited glory! It truly proves how drag, fashion, and history intertwine and are as fabulous and important today as they were decades ago!
But wait, there's more! Remember all the pink tutu wonders we have explored? If you enjoyed this time trip, share your experiences and what you have learned about drag queen history with us in the comments below! Remember, darling, it's not a fashion faux pas, it's a celebration of inclusivity! Let's make sure the pink tutu gets its fair share of the spotlight, you gorgeous, wonderful souls! Until next month, keep your fashion fabulous and your spirits high!
Stay beautiful,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
