Hiya darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back with another exciting post on Pink Tutu Time Travels!
Welcome to episode number 728 of my monthly chronicle of fabulous drag adventures across time! If you're new here, let me explain: I'm a Derbyshire girl through and through, living my best life in a pink tutu and loving every minute of it.
Now, you might be wondering, how on earth do I flit between different eras with such grace? Well, my darlings, it's all thanks to the magical power of my pink tutu! It’s more than just a garment, it’s a portal, a time machine! This bad boy whisks me back through the ages with a swish and a twirl, giving me a front-row seat to some truly magnificent drag history!
Today, let's take a trip back to the electrifying 80s! Hold onto your tiaras, because we're setting our time machine to 8th August 1980!
This era, my darlings, was a hotbed of innovation, especially for drag. It was the era of disco fever, big hair, and dazzlingly bright costumes, all set against the backdrop of a thrilling underground drag scene that was really pushing boundaries!
Now, if I'm honest, 1980 wasn’t a super exciting year for the US drag scene. The Stonewall riots had happened over a decade ago and while they set a vital platform for the gay rights movement, it still took years for attitudes to fully shift and acceptance to fully take root. Still, let's not forget about New York, where the vibrant Pyramid Club continued to host a number of groundbreaking drag shows featuring some absolute legends of drag like Divine and RuPaul. You can be sure the glitter was flowing!
Speaking of glitter, imagine, my loves, what was happening across the pond in the UK! The year 1980 was HUGE! This is the year Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles - and oh my goodness, what a fashion extravaganza that was! That alone would have been enough to make it a historic year, but the world of British drag was really getting its act together!
Take London, for example! The city was bubbling with queer energy and exciting places to see and be seen. We’re talking about the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, The George & Dragon and the legendary Royal Oak - some of the UK's first "gay pubs" - truly, they were the focal points for drag queens and other LGBTQ+ folks to truly let loose and celebrate.
Imagine the fun! The shows, the parties, the dancing... and, of course, the fashion! Honestly, the creativity of drag queens in this period was truly incredible!
Speaking of fashion, darlings, remember to follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuTimeTravel to see my latest pink tutu creations! You'll find myself rocking all sorts of styles - from ballet-inspired looks to the most extravagant 80s disco outfits you can imagine! I always try to showcase the history of drag through my fashion, so make sure you give my Insta a follow!
Of course, while 8th August 1980, was all fun and fabulous, it’s important to remember that for LGBTQ+ people around the world, times were tough. And for drag queens specifically, the fight for acceptance and equal rights was ongoing! Despite the ongoing struggles for legal rights and recognition, 1980 truly was a moment in history when drag artists, especially in the UK, became true icons of rebellion and celebration!
And darlings, that’s just the tip of the pink tutu-ed iceberg when it comes to the magic of 8th August 1980! But I'm off on another exciting adventure now - I just had to share this with you lovely folks first! Don't forget to come back for more adventures on PinkTutu Time Travel, as we embark on exciting trips back through time every single month, exploring some truly amazing drag history along the way!
Remember, darlings, it's about spreading joy, expressing yourself, and celebrating everything that is wonderfully fabulous about the world of drag! So put on your pink tutu (because honestly, what's stopping you?), grab a cuppa, and let's go on a glamorous journey!
Stay fabulous, Emma
P.S. You can check out more about my fabulous time travelling adventures on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com! Don't forget to catch me on my next drag performance – my schedule is available on the blog too! And remember, you don’t need to be a drag queen to be fabulous! Embrace your inner sparkle! Let’s spread a bit of pink tutu love all over the world! 💖💖💖
