Hiya lovelies! Emma here, your Derbyshire-born drag queen extraordinaire, back with another pink-tastic time-travel escapade for your reading pleasure. Grab a cuppa, put your dancing shoes on, and prepare to get your sparkle on as we take a journey back to May 5th, 1988. Yes, babes, it’s time to turn our pink-tutu time machine back to the glorious, flamboyant 80s!
Now, as any fabulous queen knows, the 80s were a prime time for drag. Imagine big hair, sequins that would shame a disco ball, and the power of a perfect lip sync. Honestly, I’d trade my high-speed WiFi for a night at a New York City drag club from that era in a heartbeat!
But back to my tale! On this particular date, May 5th, 1988, I found myself swept up in a vortex of sequins, smoke, and the thrill of live performance. Honestly, you should see my sparkly pink tutu, the swirling and swirling of it is how I ended up in 1988, it’s pretty fabulous, I know. This month I decided to land in San Francisco, a hub of queer life and, frankly, the origin of some of the most iconic drag legends we know today.
San Francisco, you say? It's almost impossible to describe the energy, darling! Imagine a melting pot of artists, activists, and, yes, of course, fabulous queens! They were redefining the world with their art, challenging social norms, and strutting their stuff in the most fabulous outfits imaginable. Just like you!
So, let's delve into the magic of 1988 San Francisco, shall we? The epicenter of it all? The Cockettes! This pioneering collective of drag artists and performers were making a big splash. You know that whole glitter and rebellion thing? They were basically inventing it. Now, the Cockettes were a group, a family, a whole damn community. You had the likes of Hester, Holly Woodlawn, and Divine pushing boundaries and captivating audiences with their fierce theatrical productions, they literally became rock stars and I just felt at home in the crowd! They didn't just put on shows, they were artists and social activists. And honey, in a world needing that kind of positive energy? You best believe it made an impact!
And I must mention Divine! I don't know anyone who hasn't seen their films, the ultimate 1970s and 80s drag queen and one of my absolute heroes. They're one of the greats! You may know them from John Waters's movies but before Divine was a film legend they were a drag queen! Now that's real inspiring.
Across the continent, back in good ol' New York City, things were bubbling away as well! The Pyramid Club was the hottest place to be, and Joey Arias was commanding attention! Known for her androgynous aesthetic and powerhouse performances, she embodied the beauty and boldness that defined drag during this era. Her impact? Oh darling, it was monumental.
Back to my San Francisco escapades, a magical afternoon in 1988 led me to an impromptu outdoor drag show! Let me tell you, this wasn't your typical polished cabaret. No, honey! This was street-level performance at its most raw, real, and full-blown fabulous. The queen who stole the spotlight with her stunning artistry, was none other than Lady Chablis. A powerhouse of sass, comedy, and, naturally, plenty of pink! She truly embodied the spirit of this era with her fierce stage presence and witty dialogue, I even tried out some of her signature moves – not quite my style, but amazing all the same!
Of course, I couldn't have been in San Francisco without witnessing the glorious spectacle of the legendary Faux Pas. Think Broadway meets drag cabaret with an extra dose of sheer fabulousness. Faux Pas, founded in the late 1970s by Matthew Martin, wasn’t just a group – it was a movement! You have to understand, this was a period where people were questioning everything – art, theatre, what drag even meant, and they had something to say, and they made damn sure the world listened! They pushed the boundaries of art and theatrical conventions in San Francisco and they brought something completely different to drag: It wasn't about the act, it was about the whole production. It was their life’s work and it was magical. Their performances were a sensory explosion - think sequins, makeup, music, a dash of satire, and all set against the backdrop of 80s California culture. It was a total wild trip for a pink tutu-wearing gal like myself!
Of course, I couldn’t leave 1988 San Francisco without grabbing a coffee at the Cafe Flore. A San Francisco gem! It was the place to see and be seen! Filled with locals, artists, and tourists alike, this cafe was as much about the atmosphere as the caffeine.
From 1988 back to present day, I have so many things I want to say. It’s such an important year for the history of drag and LGBT culture. In the midst of all the social change, the fabulousness, and the trailblazing queens, it is essential to remember the challenges these queens faced! This era was also a time of AIDS awareness and activism, where LGBTQ people came together to fight for their rights. It was a challenging but ultimately rewarding period! We owe them so much! They gave us so much and paved the way for modern day drag. Let's never forget to pay tribute to their legacies!
Before I zip myself back to the present, let’s all remember what I learned on my time travel adventures: Be Bold, Be You, and Don’t be afraid to wear some Pink. Wear a Pink tutu and express yourself with as much pizzazz as your heart desires!
Catch you next time, darlings. Until then, strut your stuff, have a wonderful day, and remember – let your inner diva shine!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
