#DragQueenHistory during 1997 06

Hello my darling dears! It’s Emma here, your fabulous pink tutu-wearing time-traveler extraordinaire, reporting live from… well, let’s just say, somewhere incredibly fabulous. Because, my lovelies, today we’re going back in time to June 1997. Ooh la la, imagine it: a whole month bursting with glamour, sass, and everything fabulous.

Hold onto your boas, darlings, because June 1997 was all about shimmering sequins, flamboyant costumes, and legendary drag performances! Remember the Spice Girls? We all did, because they were huge! But the world of drag, my loves, it was booming too. And I’m so excited to share all the glittery goodness with you today.

So, let’s go for a ride in my magic time-travelling pink tutu (because a pink tutu goes with absolutely everything!) and see what the world of drag looked like back in June of 1997.

You might be thinking, “Emma, darling, where did you end up this month? What exciting places did you visit?” And my love, I am absolutely brimming with gossip! My first stop was… wait for it… New York City! Now, I just know you're picturing Times Square, Broadway, and everything fabulous about the Big Apple, right? And you're absolutely right, darlings. But the truth is, June 1997 saw me in Fire Island Pines, a haven for queer people!

Fire Island was (and still is!) a beautiful, beachy escape with a legendary drag scene, and it was pulsating with exciting performers. The Pines, with its beautiful boardwalk, held Miss Fire Island Pines, and oh darling, the queens were phenomenal! Think incredible costumes, bold makeup, and talent bursting out of every corner. And believe me, the energy was electric. I absolutely had to have a chat with Jackie Beat, and, my love, she’s a legend. We spoke about the evolution of drag in NYC and Fire Island, about the drag performers who made it such a powerhouse.

Then there was “The Monster Drag” hosted by the incomparable The Monster. I just have to tell you all about her! Think sharp, clever, with an incredible performance style and she had me mesmerized.

Oh, the nightlife in Fire Island Pines was like nothing I had ever experienced! The atmosphere, the fabulous people, the queens—it was all just so wonderfully extravagant and exhilarating. Honestly, the drag scene in Fire Island was as electric and as exhilarating as watching a perfectly-timed high kick from the best ballerina, and that my loves, is truly saying something!

From the beautiful beaches of Fire Island, my magic pink tutu took me west. It was off to the vibrant San Francisco. Oh, my darlings! It felt like stepping into a kaleidoscope!

Now, as any good fashionista knows, San Francisco is THE place to be when it comes to individuality. That applies to drag as much as it does to the rest of this vibrant, cool city! I just adored everything I saw – the music, the people, the performers, it was a wild fusion of everything drag. The performances were diverse, with something for every taste, and I fell in love with the entire scene.

And, speaking of falling in love, the fabulous "The Leatherette Ball" at The Paradise Lounge absolutely blew me away. Oh, the fashion, my love! It was out of this world. Think leather, studs, buckles – a stunning symphony of sexiness. Just imagine a show filled with sharp, daring drag queens rocking bold looks. The energy was high, the performance art truly captivating. I was swept off my feet!

My trip to San Francisco wouldn't be complete without experiencing the legendary "The Mother's". This amazing spot offered the chance to see top San Francisco queens like Mimi Imfurst, Sharon Needles, and the inimitable Divine. Divine's film career may be famous for being outlandishly and ridiculously fabulous, but her stage persona as a drag queen? Unforgettable! And I definitely added it to my list of "Must-See Shows." I got to see one of Divine’s first shows – you see, darlings, this is a real treasure trove for history lovers, like myself. Just wait till you see how Divine’s performances inspired the art of drag later on.

San Francisco was brimming with such creativity, and the spirit of 'anything goes' permeated every street, every bar, every corner.

And now, it was time to take my time-travelling tutu back home to good old England. Back then, the UK drag scene was just as thrilling. Back then, drag wasn't on television – well, not really. The mainstream media, my darlings, was still a bit apprehensive about celebrating all the magic that is drag.

However, London was buzzing, just as it is now, with hidden gems and exciting drag shows, like the “Glamorous Nights” held at the Gay Activists Alliance's Gay Centre. These gatherings showcased amazing performances from legendary queens like Lucy, Cherry Valentine, and the fantastic DJ, Jonny Woo, and his infectious enthusiasm was truly something else! The atmosphere was lively, with the audience fully embracing the artistry of the performances. I remember hearing snippets of laughter and seeing people absolutely enchanted by the drag on show!

Back then, my darlings, movies were the closest most people had to experiencing a drag show. And boy, oh boy, did June 1997 bring us some fabulous flicks. One in particular is close to my heart – “The Full Monty”. It’s not exactly a drag queen film per se, but it tells a powerful story through dancing, about resilience, vulnerability, and embracing oneself – all things close to a drag queen's heart! Plus, I must tell you all – you can always see a hint of drag in that fabulous "final scene"! It just gives you this undeniable sense of joyous freedom and confidence, and those emotions just scream, “Pink Tutu!” don’t they, darlings? And there was another big screen treasure, one that truly caught my eye…“Excess Baggage” with the beautiful Alicia Silverstone in the lead role, featuring a glamorous, larger-than-life, drag performance by Divine. Now, you see why I had to tell you about her! Divine was iconic for good reason!

There were also these fantastic shows popping up at the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern and The RVT, where drag had a vibrant life, my darlings! "GAY TIMES", a legendary publication, brought out a fabulous feature on the drag scene, celebrating the creativity, and the community spirit that kept the scene thriving.

And to my darling readers – that, my lovelies, is where our journey through June 1997 ends for today! Remember, June 1997 saw so much more, and as time goes by, I promise to take you all back for more dazzling drag trips. Now, you all remember, “always be a little extra” as the legendary drag queen Divine would say!

Stay tuned for next month’s episode!

Till then, spread some joy, rock your pink tutus, and make the world a bit brighter. Remember:

“Every day, be the best version of yourself, with a fabulous, fabulous touch!”

Lots of love,

Your Pink Tutu-Loving Time Traveler,

Emma