#DragQueenHistory during 2005 05

Hello darlings! Your favourite Derbyshire pink tutu enthusiast, Emma, is back with another thrilling time travel adventure! This month we're swirling back to a momentous date - 5th May 2005! It’s a date that saw history unfolding not just in the wider world, but also within the sparkling world of drag.

Grab your fanciest feather boas, pop on your glitterati sunglasses, and settle in for a cuppa as we sashay down memory lane!

The 5th May 2005 was a bit of a whirlwind! Firstly, Queen Bey herself, the inimitable Beyoncé, was still gracing us with her incredible Dangerously in Love album – it was a hit that just wouldn’t quit! That same month, there was a momentous election in the UK with a certain Tony Blair in the spotlight. I admit, I wasn’t particularly clued up on politics back then. My biggest concern was if there would be enough fabric left in the world for all the gorgeous, frothy tutus I dreamed of.

The world of drag in 2005 was just a little different to today! Drag Race was still a few years away (how did we even survive without it? Gasps) But let me tell you, the drag queens were just as fierce and talented, putting on spectacular shows all over the world. I bet you can just imagine me, whizzing through time in my magic pink tutu, eager to see what glamorous sights awaited me!

A quick pitstop in New York City: It was the heyday of drag balls, and those ballroom queens were serving sickening realness! We’re talking legends like Peppermint, Miss Fame, and Bianca del Rio (all future Drag Race icons!) learning their craft in legendary NYC balls. Now, these queens were all avant garde, defying all notions of conventionality in their creativity. If my pink tutu didn’t melt from the heat, I swear I would have popped into a ball!

Jumping across the pond to London: London, the heart of all things theatre, had a bubbling drag scene all of its own. Remember Leigh Bowery? His legacy was still being felt in the exuberant performance scene. Even then, his style of theatricality and self-expression felt incredibly radical. And did you know the legendary Divine - a legend in camp cinema, even made an appearance at a club in London around this time? Imagine, a drag diva like her was making a return! Oh, I wish I’d been there to witness that with my own eyes!

Remember those late nights spent at smoky, candlelit clubs in the early 2000s? They were the ultimate breeding grounds for expression and freedom, with the whole scene buzzing with drag performance! The world felt so much smaller back then. There wasn’t this explosion of Drag Race on social media. It was the golden age for discovering local talent and letting the magic unfold right in front of your eyes. And remember those gorgeous cabaret nights - the sheer power of theatricality! The costumes! And remember “Camp” as a cultural moment - everything felt ironic and cheeky, it was so incredibly empowering.

For me, seeing drag in its many forms in this decade was about so much more than the dazzling performances and outrageous costumes. Drag had always been a vehicle for pushing boundaries, a space for self-expression, a place to find community, a challenge to traditional gender norms, and so much more! I'd always said that the future is bright, pink and full of tutus!

But honestly, it feels even brighter now! Every generation pushes the boundaries, bringing fresh new ideas to the stage!

But remember darlings, all that is new and exciting has been inspired by all those who have come before! I hope my little time travel adventures inspire you to look at history, and explore all that drag is – from the legendary Divines to our beloved RuPaul, and to you, the budding queens all around the world, let's celebrate and share the magical spirit of drag!

This month, my darling lovelies, let's have some fun with the past! Grab your fanciest pink feather boas and take to the streets, even for just a minute, with a touch of theatrical extravagance. Remember - no outfit is complete without a pink tutu (don't worry if you don't have a magical one like mine – a little imagination will go a long way)! Let's keep this fabulous history alive and remember that every one of us can bring some joy, excitement, and fabulousness to the world.

Now off you sashay - spread the magic of drag, and stay tuned for more time-traveling adventures here on www.pink-tutu.com. Catch you next month darlings!