Hello, darlings! Itâs Emma, your resident pink tutu-loving, time-traveling drag queen, back with another fabulous foray into the history of our beloved art form!
This month, my trusty pink time-traveling tutu whisked me back to April 1920, landing me smack dab in the middle of the roaring twenties! I found myself at a grand, glitzy drag ball - all feather boas, flapper dresses, and illicit giggles. Can you imagine, darling? A drag ball almost a century before RuPaul was a twinkle in everyoneâs eye!
Now, don't get me wrong, my darlings, 1920s drag wasnât the mainstream spectacle it is today. It existed in the shadows, a whispered secret in speakeasies and underground clubs. Imagine, for a moment, the thrill of performing under the cloak of secrecy, pushing the boundaries of gender and expression in a world that couldn't quite comprehend it!
Let me tell you, the glamour of the era was on another level, even amidst the secrecy. Think elegant gowns adorned with glittering jewels, daring hairstyles with daring, towering feather plumes, and a whole lot of fabulousness!
The centerpiece of this clandestine gathering was, naturally, a Drag Ball, filled with a vibrant array of performances and hidden acts. I can't even tell you what happened inside this ballroom as I couldn't resist going backstage first.
Before diving into my backstage adventures, letâs discuss what was going on in the world of drag in 1920! Itâs essential to understand the historical context to truly appreciate the incredible bravery and artistry of the drag queens of this era.
First, we must acknowledge the climate of the times. The 1920s, with the dawn of the jazz age, brought about a social revolution, with the emergence of new fashions, and women's newfound freedoms! It was a period of exciting changes! Now, although some would argue it was the time of the âFlapper" movement, that movement came from upper-class ladies; lower class girls and the boys dressing up, weren't considered in these mainstream ideas of rebellion. They were simply living life how they wanted to! And when it came to gender expression, while society was still deeply entrenched in traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, there were pockets of resistance.
Remember, drag has always existed, throughout history. While the term "drag queen" wasn't widely used then, these performers were undoubtedly our ancestors, trailblazers who dared to challenge societal norms. They danced, they sang, they brought joy, they brought laughter, they made people feel something, and their lives were far from easy! They lived and thrived in secret.
As I weaved through the backstage area of the ballroom, I met some absolute stunners! Their costumes, made of sheer ingenuity and a dash of whatever they could find - scraps of fabric, feather boas, repurposed hats - were an inspiration. This was DIY drag, pure and simple!
A dapper young gentleman in a fitted suit and fedora caught my eye. His stage name was "Dusty," and he was crafting the most magnificent beaded cape from bits and pieces of broken jewellery. He told me about performing in local nightclubs for a discerning clientele - they werenât allowed to advertise for fear of persecution - which meant being the secret entertainment highlight of the night, the highlight that had all the guests chattering on the way home! Dustyâs story was one of defiance, a testament to the spirit that defines our art form!
Next, I stumbled upon a young woman - letâs call her "Violet" - dressed in a stunning beaded flapper dress with her hair bobbed into a sophisticated hairstyle and adorned with shimmering bobby pins. Her face was flawlessly made up with the latest beauty innovations from Paris. She was perfecting her "cabaret" act and telling me stories about the struggles they faced - the need to keep their drag identity concealed to protect their livelihoods and, frankly, their lives. The danger for these women was very real and this made their courage so admirable.
They told me that performing under the radar had a certain magic! You werenât looking for a spotlight, the audience was a secret club, and for those who found out about the location of the event, well, it was their own private little piece of heaven! I know what that feels like, as many of you have already heard about the âsecretâ locations I perform in across the timelines! It truly is something special to know that not everyone has that level of access and you get to witness their raw, authentic expressions of freedom in this hidden setting. The intimacy it creates, especially between the performer and audience, is truly something else!
But don't get me wrong, there were challenges aplenty. Finding costumes, hiding from prying eyes, performing in cramped, clandestine venues, and risking your identity, were just a few of the challenges they faced. But, as always, drag found a way to thrive!
These pioneers of drag embodied resilience, resourcefulness, and an unflinching dedication to their craft. The bravery it took to push those boundaries in that time - they should be lauded. In my world, a little pink tutu, it is essential to honour our history, and we have much to learn from those who dared to tread a path less traveled.
I want to be a part of building that history, and I will continue to be a champion for everyone to wear a pink tutu, even in 1920.
While my time in 1920 may have ended, it ignited a fire in me, reminding me of the unwavering spirit of drag queens throughout history. We are a community united by self-expression, a testament to our enduring fight for equality, and we celebrate a global legacy! We have the power to redefine and reimagine the world, one fabulous outfit at a time! It is about remembering, learning from and honouring the journey of those who came before us, allowing their legacies to inspire and encourage future generations to dream bigger and bolder.
I know that every month I journey to different periods of history in my pink time-traveling tutu and this is what drives me to keep going! As always, keep an eye on this blog for my adventures next month - I have something wonderful planned!
In the meantime, remember, darlings, wear pink, wear a tutu, embrace your inner drag queen! And always, always, love, laugh, and stay fabulous!
xx Emma
(www.pink-tutu.com)
