#DragQueenHistory during 1994 11

Hey gorgeous! Emma here, your resident time-traveling, pink tutu-obsessed, queen of all things fabulous! It’s been a whirlwind month of glitz, glamour, and time travel in my oh-so-pink tutu! It’s November 1994, darling, and let me tell you, this month’s a trip down memory lane – literally! (Pun absolutely intended, hun!) I was in the Big Apple – the good old US of A, you know, the land of big hair, big dreams, and even bigger tutus – where the drag scene was practically erupting with energy.

My, oh my, 1994! Imagine, drag wasn’t just on the fringes, it was a part of mainstream culture – but in its purest form, honey! You know what they say, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.’ No hate speech, no toxic behaviour, just pure, unadulterated fabulousness. Think Paris Is Burning, but with even more fierce, flamboyant looks. It was a beautiful, powerful thing.

Now, let me tell you about this gem of a month in drag history…

It was an epic day, honey! The Stonewall Inn was just around the corner. This place is a drag queen’s sacred pilgrimage, don’t you know! I shimmied over there, pink tutu twirling, and landed smack dab in the middle of some legendary performances. We’re talking legendary drag queens like Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Stormé DeLarverie. Oh, the stories they could tell! They are the bedrock of modern drag, honey! Seeing them, witnessing their strength and fierceness was, well, simply moving! Imagine all those years of struggles – battling discrimination, battling for acceptance!

I could have spent hours listening to them share their tales, but the city that never sleeps was calling my name, beckoning me to see all its sparkling secrets. I was off to catch Kiki & Herb, these drag darlings that were all the rage in Manhattan at the time. You couldn't even find a seat, darling! But it was worth every sequin and every stitch on my pink tutu. They were…dare I say it? Brilliant. Hilarious. Cringey, in the best way possible. They had the crowd in the palm of their hand – truly captivating. I must admit, I even had a good cry during their show, laughing so much!

But the evening wasn’t over yet. No, darlings! My pink tutu was calling for more drag shenanigans, and guess who was giving a dazzling performance that night? You’re not going to believe this…but none other than RuPaul! It was a moment in drag history! The man himself was, let's be honest, completely electrifying. I couldn’t help but get caught up in his energy! And it's like, this was right before his ‘Supermodel’ explosion! It’s so incredible to think where we’ve come from. From this very room, where we're still celebrating individuality, that same individuality was bursting into the spotlight, showing the world what real talent, artistry and beauty looked like.

I was honestly pinching myself. The drag world in the 90s? It was a playground of possibilities. There was this exciting feeling of progress. Drag wasn’t confined to certain bars and clubs. It was starting to find its way onto TV and mainstream media.

It was a time of so much experimentation! The creativity and artistic expression in the shows, the way drag queens were playing with fashion and using it as a tool of social commentary was inspiring! They were questioning norms and pushing boundaries with every performance. I got to see some incredible performances by Miss Coco Peru, Lady Bunny, Varla Jean Merman…the list goes on, darlings.

But it wasn’t just about the shows. The true magic of 1994 drag was in the heart of it, the people. You felt it in the energy, in the way the queens embraced each other, the way they supported one another's dreams. And oh, the queens in this period, I must say, they were something else!

The look? Forget basic makeup, these ladies were artists! They had bold colours, creative techniques – oh my, you've got to see some of the beauty looks! As for their style? This is where the real creativity flowed, my dear! It was bold, it was outrageous, it was innovative! The best way I can describe it? Think "everything but the kitchen sink, but with extra sequins, glitter and more". Think avant-garde fashion meets theatrical extravaganza with a touch of DIY, sprinkled with a generous dollop of glam. And always, darling, ALWAYS, with that infectious, 'live, love, laugh' spirit that made drag so damn beautiful!

I was captivated by this world! I’d watch for hours and marvel at the diversity of styles, the unique looks. It wasn’t just about the flamboyant, glamorous drag, there were so many styles. You could see everything from punk-inspired looks, to more classic styles, all in a sea of fabulousness. There was a real feeling of acceptance and unity – it was a glorious community of love, self-expression, and celebration.

Then came the inevitable return home, my pink tutu a little bit dirtier, a lot more bedazzled, and full of stories. It was the fuel I needed for my upcoming performance in Derby, a local, small, family friendly venue.

Let’s be real, I wasn't making headlines, I was just Emma, trying to spread my love for the pink tutu. Every month, every performance, I take everything I’ve learned from the queens I’ve met and put it all onto that stage – that little Derbyshire stage.

Yes, darlings, sometimes it's hard. Not everyone gets it, especially when you have an ambitious little pink tutu with even bigger plans. I mean, how do you even explain travelling through time to a town like this?! But that’s my mission. Spreading the joy of the pink tutu and inspiring a new generation of drag performers. It's time for the whole world to embrace the pink, darling! And the time for drag history to be told.

Stay fabulous, keep the pink alive! I'll see you all next month for my next fabulous time-travel escapade! Don't forget to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com, darlings, where you can learn all about the amazing queens who have graced our stage with their pink-tutu inspired artistry and watch exclusive clips of our drag shows!

XOXO

Emma.

PS: Don't forget to share your own #pinktutu stories! #DragHistory #TimeTravel #1994 #PinkTutuRules