HISTORICAL TAKE ON US DRAG

Here's an interesting article I stumbled upon, which follows drag from the days of a retired older performer no who laments that transsexuals have replaced true talent today.

THE CHANGING FACE OF DRAG by Michael Abernethy

AN EXCERPT:



Drag queens worked under different rules back then, Robinson mentions, some of which were determined by the clubs and some by the law. All drag queens had to have on at least one piece of male clothing; otherwise, they were liable to be arrested for prostitution. Additionally, performers were introduced as “Mister”, such as “Mr. Sissy Blake”.

Among the various club rules were that a performer had to change her wig for each song, runs in hose or wrinkles in dresses weren’t allowed, performers had to mix up their sets with one slow song and one up-tempo song, and couldn’t repeat a song over the course of a weekend’s performances, and no missteps were permitted while performing. Violating any of these rules resulted in fines from club owners.

WHOLE ARTICLE: POPMATTERS