Hiya darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu wearing, time-travelling drag queen! April's here, and you know what that means? Time to dust off the sequined tights and shimmy back to a fabulous era in drag history! This month, my magical pink tutu whisked me back to the glorious year of 1981, a year when drag was bubbling with new energy and fabulousness was the only thing on the menu.
Now, 4th April 1981 wasn't just any old day, my loves. It was the day that Divine, the absolute legend of drag, graced the stage at the Rainbow Ballroom in Los Angeles. 🤯
Can you imagine, darlings?! A night at the Rainbow Ballroom with the one and only Divine? The air would be electric with excitement, the music throbbing with every beat, and every single soul in the place would be lost in a vortex of sequins, feathers, and camp!
Divine, a truly iconoclastic drag queen, had an aura that transcended mere performance. She was a phenomenon, an entertainer, an actress, a performer extraordinaire. From her iconic films with John Waters to her electrifying stage performances, Divine embodied outrageousness, pushing the boundaries of drag and entertainment to the absolute limit.
So, why this date? Well, dearies, 1981 marked a turning point for drag culture. Drag shows were booming, reaching wider audiences than ever before. In New York, drag balls were happening left, right and centre, and the legendary "Balls" featured in the documentary "Paris is Burning" were well underway.
Imagine, my darlings, stepping into a world where a simple night at a drag ball could be your chance to win a crown! The balls were a dazzling fusion of dance, artistry, and flamboyant costumes. It was a stage for talented queens to shine, and a platform to express their unique identities through extravagant performance.
Even in London, drag was buzzing with life! The London Lesbian and Gay Centre had recently opened its doors, providing a safe haven and a space for community for the LGBTQIA+ community. The 1980s saw a growing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people, and the thriving drag scene in London was just one sign of that evolving culture.
Imagine being part of such a vibrant, joyous, and accepting community, darling!
So, let's fast-forward from this incredible time in history to 2023, and remember: even though things are a little different today, drag is still as important as ever.
We have so much to celebrate! We are living in an era where drag queens are more visible, more empowered, and more successful than ever before. Drag queens are actors, singers, performers, activists, and even politicians! We are a force to be reckoned with, darling!
My hope is that, even as we revel in the modern world of drag, we remember and celebrate its incredible history. Because every performance, every strut down the catwalk, every fierce stare at the judges, it all traces back to the groundbreaking queens who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way for us, and in doing so, we carry on the legacy of this unique art form.
I believe every single one of you has the potential to embody the essence of drag: to express yourself, to find your own fabulousness, and to make the world a little bit more fabulous with every shimmering step you take.
And remember, my loves, pink is always in fashion, so dust off those tutus, grab your most outrageous outfits, and let your inner diva shine! 💖✨
Stay fabulous, Emma xx
