#DragQueenHistory during 2004 06

Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, bringing you another glorious blast from the past with the most fabulous monthly trip into #DragQueenHistory! I'm positively buzzing to share what happened in June 2004 - because darling, let's just say, the world of drag was bubbling with excitement, like a vat of glitter-infused bath bomb!

Now, grab a cuppa (or perhaps a glass of bubbly!), settle in, and let's hop in my magical, pink, time-traveling tutu and take a trip back to the fabulous month of June 2004!

The June 2004 time portal shimmered open, and there I was, standing in a vintage haberdashery in Soho, London, the very air crackling with the promise of glamour and glitz! I had to pinch myself - my latest show, a spectacular rendition of Swan Lake at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, had netted me enough moolah for a time travel spree! My fellow Derbyshire girls wouldn’t believe how I’d even managed to fund the ticket for this adventure!

I practically danced down the street, a whirl of pink tulle and feathered boa, and straight into the most fabulous drag shop! Oh, darling, the sequins were twinkling, the feathers were practically whispering tales of legendary drag shows, and the sheer volume of glittered fabric could make a girl weak at the knees!

This was the very stuff dreams were made of - the era of big hair, daring make-up, and performances that stopped the traffic!

June 2004, dear reader, was simply bursting with draggy delights! The crème de la crème of the drag world were dazzling audiences from the bustling streets of New York to the glittering stages of London. I saw drag divas in glamorous venues like The Roxy, and, oh, the iconic Boystown in Chicago - how my heart fluttered at the chance to soak up such an atmosphere! I mean, seriously, if you want to experience the world of drag, Chicago in 2004 was the place to be!

Speaking of Chicago, one of the highlights of the month was a HUGE drag show, ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, starring one Ms. Divine, a true icon of the drag scene, alongside an up-and-coming drag superstar - our very own Divine! Talk about star power, darling! This was drag at its absolute best.

I was lucky enough to be right there, smack bang in the front row, snapping pictures (on my Nokia, obviously!), and sipping cocktails. And those queens… oh, darling, the wigs, the gowns, the lipsticks – it was a kaleidoscope of beauty and sass! It made my little Derbyshire heart sing, I tell you!

Now, let’s talk about Divine - a name whispered in awe and adoration across the world of drag. They were an absolute force of nature, the epitome of glamour and larger-than-life attitude, bringing an unparalleled level of camp and extravagance to every stage they graced. And darling, I wasn't disappointed - Divine was a tour de force of entertainment, belting out a dazzling repertoire of iconic hits.

I felt truly inspired by Divine, they were such a trailblazer, an individual who helped to carve out a space for drag performers to showcase their talent, to be unapologetically themselves and to inspire generations of performers to follow in their fabulously flamboyant footsteps. I’ll never forget how Divine became the first drag queen to perform a mainstream song in a music video. The world sat up and took notice! That's the true impact of a Drag Icon!

Now, while we're on the topic of groundbreaking Drag Stars, let's take a quick hop to the iconic Stonewall Inn! In the heart of New York, June 2004 was witness to the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of this trailblazing establishment that became synonymous with drag and the LGBT+ community, a monument to the strength and resilience of drag! The whole world looked to this fabulous night out to celebrate the sheer joy and inclusivity of this vibrant subculture!

And speaking of fabulous nights out…

Here’s something I find completely wonderful – how every city I visit, every place I step in, always has a brilliant drag show to experience. It’s simply wonderful – the drag scene really does offer so much in terms of a great night out. There is something truly special about the world of drag, don’t you think, darling?

But back to the history bit – that’s enough about me and the pink tutu, let's get back to the timeline!

Darling, when it comes to predicting the future of drag, one thing is certain – drag is an art form in constant evolution. June 2004 marked the dawn of a new era, where Drag queens were challenging the status quo, breaking down boundaries, and leaving an indelible mark on society, inspiring new generations of drag performers and changing the world, one feather-covered, glitter-strewn stiletto heel at a time.

It’s a journey that’s full of adventure and so full of memories to cherish. Every single trip is a new story, a chance to learn more about the history of drag.

But sadly darling, all journeys come to an end, and the pink tutu time machine was already calling me back home. My next stop, I thought to myself as I stepped through the shimmery portal, back to my 21st-century bedroom, was my local drag bar, in Derbyshire, England, I can't wait to see what the queens there have in store for me this month.

Do join me for another exciting journey next month darling! In the meantime, make sure to share your stories in the comments.

And as always, remember darlings, a little bit of pink is good for the soul, so why not give it a try? Maybe next time, we'll meet up for a fabulous drag show! Until then, darlings!