#DragQueenHistory during 1983 10 October

Hello darlings! Emma here, your fabulous pink tutu-wearing time traveler, and it’s time for another journey through the magnificent history of drag! I’m whisking you all the way back to 10th October, 1983 – the year shoulder pads ruled the world, leg warmers were all the rage, and the world of drag was as vibrant and diverse as ever.

Now, this month I’m particularly excited about my journey. It’s always exciting to go back and witness history in the making, but 10th October, 1983 has a special place in my heart. It’s a date steeped in drag royalty, and I’m ready to take you on a whirlwind tour, complete with all the gossip, glamour and good times you could possibly want!

My trusty pink tutu whirled me back to New York, where a groundbreaking show was just kicking off. This was a special night for a trailblazer of drag who continues to inspire me to this very day – Divine! Oh, darling, the very name makes me practically combust with excitement! For the uninitiated, Divine, with her outrageous makeup, outrageous gowns and an equally outrageous stage persona, helped to make John Waters's movies some of the most iconic of their era. She was truly a star in her own right.

And the best news? You can imagine my squeals of delight! Divine’s star-studded cabaret, Divine Live, at the Ballroom, was truly an unforgettable spectacle. The room pulsed with a vibrant energy – and with this show, Divine was breaking new ground and establishing a presence beyond the big screen, showcasing her immense talent to the world! You betcha, I was there in the audience, wearing a rather more sophisticated, ballet-inspired pink tutu, of course, and absolutely ready to be wowed by Divine’s unique blend of performance art, glamour and pure theatrical brilliance.

But the world of drag is more than just New York, and there’s so much to discover. With the magical powers of my tutu, I popped back to the UK, a mere twinkle of an eye later, for a delightful slice of drag history! My tutu swirled me to The Black Cap, London’s legendary LGBTQ+ pub, and that’s where the drag drama was really cooking. It was the heart of London’s drag scene and its homegrown talents were captivating audiences – think Gloria Gaynor but for drag. A true icon.

It was such an era – the eighties! The Black Cap pulsed with excitement as the UK’s best and brightest battled it out on stage in what was essentially drag bingo, which really got the audience participating in the best way possible. They say the UK’s most well-known drag performer, Miss Moneypenny, once held a drag bingo contest there! I can only imagine how much fun those were, and the glorious sense of community the performances created! You see, I believe that drag is all about sharing stories and making people laugh, and bingo has that same feeling of joy – so why not bring those two forces together?! This makes perfect sense in my opinion!

Back to my time travelling: as you can see, 10th October 1983 was truly an amazing day for the world of drag. From the electrifying dynamism of Divine’s performance in New York, to the fun-filled exuberance of bingo night at the Black Cap, it was an era full of fierce competition, vibrant performance and incredible camaraderie.

And of course, 1983 marked the release of the groundbreaking film Pink Flamingos, another creation by John Waters starring, of course, the incredible Divine. You know, in my humble opinion, this is a drag queen essential watch! It is a true masterclass of shockingly fabulous drag! Now darling, let me tell you, the 80’s is a very, very important era for drag – especially in America. Drag queens from all over America flocked to New York for shows and gatherings like this, because, honestly, why would they ever want to go anywhere else? Now I believe that is true across the world – London in the eighties was and continues to be an inspiration to all who love drag!

The UK had a massive drag movement in those days. This was the decade when you really saw the burgeoning power of drag culture in the UK – and who would ever forget the arrival of Kylie Minogue, with her fantastic, ever so slightly racy, “The Loco-Motion” choreography? Well darling, it certainly got us moving! It is always such a treat to experience those cultural moments. Drag was really finding its own style, taking cues from popular music and dance styles, and forging its own distinct voice and visual expression.

But what was life like outside of the theatre and cabaret scenes you ask? Well, dear reader, that’s what we’re about to dive into! Now this is a very important part of drag history: as we journey deeper into the 80s, the fight for equality for all people was heating up across the globe. Now while that wasn’t always glamorous – sometimes those movements were absolutely vital and it was and is, absolutely important to stand up for those who may not have a voice. Drag became such a critical and important visual representation for the LGBTQ+ movement in that decade, and continues to be so to this day. So you can understand why, darling, drag queens became more political as the 80s continued!

Drag queens and the broader LGBTQ+ movement went on marches, participated in sit-ins, and became important advocates for their rights! Of course, it wasn’t always easy, but darling, nothing worthwhile ever is! Those fighting for equality truly pushed the boundaries of the status quo in a very courageous way – making their voices heard, all whilst looking fabulous of course! You can’t help but feel truly empowered, even today, by hearing those stories and remembering that history – and this era brought so many brave souls who were prepared to stand up and say "Enough!" They knew the value of freedom, justice, and equality. They gave us hope and paved the way for a brighter, more inclusive future, and this is why we celebrate our history and are so lucky to live in the future they made. We, all of us, owe a great debt of gratitude to these brave people and the world of drag which was an incredible outlet for these incredible people.

So darling, I think we've learned so much today – we went back in time to see Divine shine, danced the night away at the Black Cap, and learned a thing or two about the fierce activism and resilience that helped create the LGBTQ+ world we have today. You see, in drag, the past is never really past! These memories inspire us, propel us forward and teach us to keep making history. But I’ve got to go now - there’s a dazzling show in San Francisco that I can’t miss. So darling, stay fabulous, be proud, wear your pink tutu with pride! See you soon in our next fabulous trip through drag queen time!