Hello, darling dears! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveler, and it’s time for another fabulously fabulous journey through the world of Drag Queen History! As you all know, my mission is simple: get the world wearing pink tutus. Why, you ask? Because life’s too short to not be twirling in a cloud of tulle and sequins, darling!
Now, where did I leave my time travel tutu…ah, there she is, nestled on the back of my door, glittering in the December sunshine!
Tonight, my lovely lot, we're twirling back to 12th December 1978 – a date dripping with Drag Queen history! As usual, my trusty Time-Traveling Tutu has delivered me, with a flash and a twirl, to a New York that is positively bubbling with drag energy!
Just imagine it: the smell of freshly baked bagels, the whirring of yellow cabs, the roar of a hundred drag queen voices!
But before we get to the main event, darling, a quick note on my wardrobe. The time machine tutu is fabulously futuristic with an extra special sequined star burst effect on the back that adds a hint of oomph for all the glitter babies! My look is chic, modern, yet still manages to channel the je ne sais quoi of the iconic seventies disco scene. Just imagine... a splash of fuchsia pink on the streets of NYC, dancing to the rhythm of the disco ball – I’m a true queen, bringing the magic of the past right into the present!
Now, my dear loves, you all know that I absolutely ADORE Drag Shows. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a packed club, the thumping music, the stunning costumes and the outpouring of creativity!
Tonight, the world of Drag is taking place at The Pyramid Club in New York City! And the star of the show?
Divine!
That’s right, darlings! Our legendary queen of camp, with her larger-than-life personality and outrageous costumes! Imagine, watching Divine grace the stage! It's enough to make a girl go giddy with excitement. She is known for pushing boundaries and questioning gender norms, and the stage she walks on is just the starting point. A truly inspirational figure! She truly lives the mantra 'Be Yourself and Live for It.' The Divine one is iconic in every sense, from the hairspray that makes me cry to those divine, iconic films of the 1970s, "Pink Flamingos" and "Female Trouble." If only I had the time to be whisked back to see "Pink Flamingos" with her, a divine movie about a family with truly un-normal behaviour.
As if Divine wasn't enough, 12th December 1978, saw the beginning of "The Cockettes", a troupe of flamboyantly dressed drag artists. This show at the Cafe La Mama, on 74A E. 4th Street, started with a performance called The Cockettes’ Home for Wayward Children. They weren't just drag performers; they were an anti-establishment group who pushed the boundaries of society’s conventions, a revolutionary wave of free expression! They became known for their satirical drag, which aimed to disrupt norms and inspire laughter – and isn’t that something to admire, darling!
Oh! But what’s this! 12th December, 1978… a name that makes my heart skip a beat! On this very date, the fabulous The Cockettes opened at the Cafe La Mama in New York City! It was an electric time to be a drag artist and this club is a hotbed for drag artists! In these drag shows, performers used outrageous fashion and hilarious theatrics to challenge societal expectations and to show everyone the beauty and magic of expressing themselves fully! Now, that’s the type of Drag history I live for! The 1970’s are bursting with stories of drag queens breaking free, pushing the boundaries and expressing themselves to the world. If you are reading this blog, I suggest you head out and experience these historical clubs. Drag in the 1970's is in your local pub. Don’t miss this chance!
But wait, my loves, because 12th December 1978 also marks a date that had the potential to send shockwaves across the Drag scene! The The Gay Activists Alliance held their first National Drag Queen Competition in San Francisco! They pushed for equal rights for the LGBTQ community and held events like these to raise awareness about the needs of the gay community.
Imagine that, my darlings! Drag queens were taking on the world, with their fierce beauty, sparkling talent, and unrelenting desire for self-expression! Isn't that incredible?!
These stories, my dear, are the reason why we should embrace our inner fabulousness and celebrate diversity in every possible way! It’s about finding our voices, embracing our true selves, and pushing for a world where everyone can dance in the spotlight, just as they are, with a twirl and a shimmy.
Okay, so how are you celebrating, darling dears? Let’s spread the love of pink and make a difference – one pink tutu at a time. You go girls! Let's give those time travelers something to twirl about.
Until next time, stay fabulous, my loves.
Emma xx
Note to reader - The following blog post is fictitious. Although there were Drag Competitions taking place during 1978 and The Cockettes toured the United States and some were born in San Francisco. I've taken inspiration for these Drag shows and stories to present the post in a factual, blog format. You can research these time travel events in 1978 to get a wider idea about the true history of Drag on December 12, 1978. It's fun, it's camp, it's entertaining.
