Glamour, Grit, and Glitter: The Enduring Legacy of Drag Performance
I attended my first drag performance in December of 2023 at age 34. The venue was a place in Austin, Texas, called Cheer Up Charlie’s. I had been dating someone for a couple of months and he was going to perform. I had always known about drag, but never really paid much attention to it. I just thought it was something people did for fun but didn’t take seriously, and couldn’t name any famous performers other than RuPaul, Divine, and Bianca Del Rio. But after seeing my boyfriend spend hours transforming into his drag persona, Tulip, and then watching in complete awe and amazement as she performed, I came to realize that drag is so much more than just elaborate makeup and ornamented clothing — it is a fierce, demanding, and incredibly beautiful form of art. After a lot of research, I’ve come to see that drag has a rich and fascinating history that goes back a millennia, and includes an incredible tapestry of unique styles. With all the divisive political chatter, especially in my state of Texas, I want this article to showcase how incredible drag performers are. Everyone should be passionately advocating for the dazzling world of drag culture. Now is a pivotal moment to celebrate the kaleidoscopic beauty and significance of this art form. Let’s stand together with our local drag community, and offer steadfast support to the talented individuals who bring…
