#DragQueenHistory during 1982 03 March

Darling, it's Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen with a penchant for pink, a weakness for tutus, and an unwavering passion for all things drag! As you know, my love for this fabulous art form knows no bounds, so naturally, I have to share with you my adventures through time! Every month, my magical pink tutu whisks me off to a different date in drag history, and this time, honey, we're travelling all the way back to 3rd March 1982!

Can you believe it? The eighties were an absolute explosion of glitz, glam, and fabulousness!

For my time-travelling ensemble, I knew I had to go full-on pink ballerina. It's the perfect combination of my signature style and the sheer opulence of 1982! My trusty pink tutu, with layers upon layers of fluffy tulle, billowed behind me as I glided through the streets, and the glittering rhinestones on my bodice caught every single flicker of neon light. My matching pink feather boa danced in the breeze, and a massive pink feather headpiece sat perfectly atop my bouffant (because even time travellers can't resist a good hairspray, love!). I'll admit, it might have attracted a few curious glances, but who needs to blend in when you can make a statement?

Now, normally I pop in and out of time unseen, like a magical pink fairy, but 1982 was just bursting with excitement. So I decided to put on a little performance, if you will! Imagine, me, standing outside the legendary Playhouse Theatre in New York City, just a few steps from the red carpet. It was the 82nd Academy Awards, and my, oh my! Those dresses! Pure camp couture! It was enough to make you want to reach through time and give everyone a good shake.

And while I didn't get to walk the red carpet with the stars (I was saving my performance for somewhere even more fabulous), I did bump into some legends! Imagine me, chatting with the iconic Divine, absolutely dripping in rhinestones and sequins, all while we sip on a divine, slightly over-sweet cocktail. Then, we ended up watching the ceremony with none other than Divine and John Waters! They were hilarious, and surprisingly charming in real life. It felt like I'd stepped into a dream, darlings!

But enough about my personal journey (I know, it's all a bit much, but I'm just SO excited!) The real reason we travel to the past is to appreciate the drag history that led us to the present day, wouldn't you agree?

This year, sadly, there wasn't much Drag at the Academy Awards itself. The world of Drag Queens wasn't exactly in the spotlight then, but that doesn't mean it wasn't happening! The New York City scene, for example, was rocking.

Imagine:

The Ballroom Scene was a haven of self-expression and artistry! Drag wasn't about just mimicking women - it was about challenging the way we see gender and defying norms through performance.

Drag Balls - I mean, you’d find the fiercest queens, with fierce competition and fierce looks. It was the perfect opportunity to unleash creativity and to showcase their incredible talent! I watched with a tear in my eye (a pink tear, naturally!) as young drag performers found a home and a family in this amazing community.

Across the globe, there were performances happening everywhere, with a new energy bubbling through the underground:

• Berlin: This was an exciting hub for the art world in the 80s. The nightclub The Bunker, filled with leather, and underground creativity - it was the scene to see, hear and feel the beats! And even in 1982, the city already boasted some amazing drag performers with innovative looks and attitudes!
• London: Well, you know what, dear, London was always hot for drag! There was the legendary The Royal Vauxhall Tavern that became a hub for both the punk and drag communities in 1982 - it was an unforgettable blend of wild, bold performances, and even the occasional political statement. Talk about using your platform to send a message, darlings.
• Sydney: Yes, dear, it was going on in Sydney, too! They weren’t going to be outdone! We're talking the most amazing underground drag scenes and drag clubs. But, what made it really stand out was the impact of the early days of queer activism. The Rainbow Ball (not to be confused with RuPaul’s Drag Race!) was happening in the city! It’s a fabulous showcase of self-expression.

Of course, this was all happening before Drag Race exploded and brought this art form to the mainstream. Remember, darling, we are here today because of these incredible queens who dared to break the boundaries, defy the norms, and make a statement with their performance! They blazed a trail of glitter and sequins so we could shine bright, baby!

Every time I travel through time, I see how far we've come, but also how much we still have to learn. The pioneers of the past faced hardship, discrimination, and countless obstacles just to express themselves. Today, drag is thriving, it's empowering, and it's about more than just makeup and hair, it's a form of protest, it’s a story, it’s a statement of confidence. We owe it to them to carry their legacy forward, to fight for equality, and to celebrate the incredible art of drag.

So next time you're enjoying a fabulous show, remember those who came before. Embrace the history, love your fellow queens, and never, ever stop spreading the magic of drag!

That's all from me this month, my dearest readers! It’s been another amazing adventure into the past, but now it’s time to return home (with enough inspiration to plan out a new look!)! If you're ever in Derbyshire, England, be sure to pop over to my local show, Drag It Up! You never know when a pink-tutu-clad drag queen might pop up to join you.

Stay sparkly, darlings,

Emma, your time-traveling ballerina extraordinaire.