Hello darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire diva Emma, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, the one and only online home for a sprinkle of pink, a dash of tutu, and a whole heaping spoonful of fabulous drag queen history! Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on February 2nd, 1980, because honey, you won't believe what was happening on the drag scene. And yes, naturally, my pink time-traveling tutu made a grand entrance in the form of a pink glitter-storm, of course.
But before we dive into the juicy details, let's have a chat about me, shall we? Well, you know the drill. Your girl is always in a pink tutu. The colours of my soul! Pink just screams āfunā, āfeminineā, and āfabulousā, doesn't it? And as you know, that's what we do at Pink-Tutu, darling! We keep it light, fluffy, and fabulous. I think itās high time that the world embraces the ultimate accessory, the iconic tutu, darling. I have a vision, my dears ā a world where every single human twirls, skips and sashays through life with a pink tulle explosion on their rear! We'll achieve world peace, one pink tutu at a time, my lovelies.
Anyway, this month, darling, Iām whisking us back to 1980, a decade of fierce style, even fiercer drag, and the start of something special. Think high-volume hair, feathered boas that could outdo even the grandest swan, and more sequins than a disco ball! The world was starting to realise that drag was an art form, not a passing trend, and believe me, darling, these queens knew how to command an audience!
The Queen of The Scene: A Trip To New York, New York
The first stop on my magical time travel itinerary? You guessed it: New York City, the beating heart of the drag scene in 1980! It was bursting with clubs like The Saint, The Pyramid Club and the legendary The Mineshaft. Now, those of you familiar with the āWig Stockā movement may be shocked, but these places were about so much more than just a show. They were a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. They offered an escape from a society that still saw ādrag queensā as outsiders. These queens? They defied those labels! They were bold, brash, and breaking all the rules in the best way possible!
Imagine a mix of music and performance. Glam rock icons like David Bowie and The New York Dolls, a sprinkle of theatrical influences, a touch of political protestā¦ that was drag in 1980, darling. These queens were living proof that art could truly inspire change. They used their platform to champion the cause for equality, even if it meant facing prejudice. It was a world of underground parties, DIY sets, and a fierce energy that truly set the scene for what we know and love today.
*Parisian Drag? You Bet! *
Now, I'm not just a New York City girl. My fabulous tutu has carried me across the globe to places where drag is as captivating as it is cultural. I just HAD to check out the Paris drag scene in February 1980, darlings! I don't speak much French (Iām terrible with foreign languages!), but my time-traveling tutu does the talking for meā¦ with glitter. A LOT of glitter. You can't even imagine the fashion, darlings! It's like if a glamorous Parisian street performer and a glamorous, over-the-top fashion model had a child! A beautiful child of elegance, drama, and sequins, honey. I'm pretty sure I even spotted a few high-fashion tutus that had the most incredible hand-painted designs, adorned with silk flowers and real feathers! They even paired it with those gorgeous platform heels that give you the ultimate power stance! If my wardrobe had enough room, Iād have bought them ALL. It was hard to leave Paris without getting into a glamorous fist-fight over who had the best outfits, but I resisted the urge! I promise!
Don't Forget The Queen Of Our Hearts!
Speaking of outfits, you can't talk about drag in 1980 without talking about Divine! Darling, she was EVERYTHING! Bold, brash, and oh so daringly divine! She was, dare I say, THE original drag superstar! I bet her heart would have thumped if she knew how many lives she'd impact with her drag magic! You know she made quite an impact on my life! If youāre not familiar with her, girl, grab a cuppa, a slice of cake, and watch John Watersā Pink Flamingos, it's a classic, darling, but prepare to be SHOCKED! You need to experience this icon's genius and her unparalleled dedication to making a statement! Letās face it: she didnāt shy away from the drama! And, like me, she embraced her pink (itās almost an obsession). The entire drag world adored her. The women! The men! And yes, those fabulously diverse LGBTQ+ communities back then loved her too! She broke boundaries and helped paved the way for generations of drag queens to come. Divine, you were, and will always be, a drag queen icon. She deserves a standing ovation, just like all those queens back then!
Don't Be Shy: Time to Sparkle!
Let's face it: drag isn't just about the make-up, costumes, and dance moves. Itās about individuality, community, and a fierce commitment to spreading the message of self-expression and joy! If Iām being honest, I see drag in a tutu as the ultimate way to embrace the inner princess in every one of us! And I want to see the world in pink tutus! The pink tutu has been my gateway into the amazing world of drag history. So next time youāre at a drag show, go for a spin in a fabulous tutu. And just remember, even in 1980, drag queens like those I mentioned paved the way for the incredible drag artists we love today! They dared to be themselves, to defy expectations, and to bring joy to everyone. And letās face it, we canāt all time travel to the past, so lets bring those legendary, powerful vibes from back then right here to today! Because the future of drag? Itās up to us!
Now, go get yourself a pink tutu, honey, and let's keep this celebration going!
Until next time, darling!
Always fabulous, Emma
