But as performers if someone lives as a man, regardless of his orientation, but performs as a woman… she is a female impersonator. She could also be a Fishy Drag Queen. Well it appears as though I am a male impersonator. I have been explaining what I do to conservative people this way and the more I thought about it the more it made sense.
It’s more than just Drag….
There is a portion of the book in which she talks about drag. She talks about how a lot of trans people end up in drag at some point…she was saying that it makes it okay for us to crossdress, it publicly removes the gender roles for all to see and be entertained by. Doing Drag is not just about entertaining an audience, its about being a Gender outlaw. She was saying that Drag is like the jester that made fun of the king, and he didn’t know it. Drag is mostly entertaining because it pushes the boundaries of gender for all of us….its different for all of us, just like gender is.
Drag King & Ethics
Anyway, as the year continues I am exploring all sorts of information regarding various ways of participating in the drag world. Now keep in mind even though I had many drag queen friends I didn’t know the details of their competitions it was more of an intimate backstage experience rather than whatever they were competing for. I don’t mean sexual at all, but rather as very close friends. So now as I am entering the details and depths of the drag world as a MALE IMPERSONATOR I am feeling a bit lost.
Reclaiming
Like there was something in my eyes, or they just knew that was I was a drag queen everyday of my life. I didn’t want to “mess up my kid” and my husband found it to be “disturbing” Shame was everywhere I looked except when I stood beside a Drag Queen, then I felt open and free. Like magic and gay men often knew the way there for me. I followed them and I am so glad I followed my heart.
Halloween Lebanon Drag Show
By Hollis Taylor This Halloween I was thrilled to check out the Halloween show for the Lebanon Drag Show! It was held in the bar portion of the Days Inn in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. What a fantastic show! I heard about the event through a friend that was performing that evening, Jade DeVere. It was a great way…
The Finale
This was the finale and I had promised two performances to Eartha, the scheduling Queen. About 3-4 days before the show a queen contacted me about doing a performance together, as Gomez and Morticia Addams. I was very intrigued since I love to work with people more than alone, I find its more creative. I was excited to do this with BellaDonna – although anxious that we didn’t have much preparation time. Anyway, it made 3 performances in one night, that’s a busy night!
That Gender Bender is a Game Changer
First the fact that if someone is a drag king, transgender, or gender queer in any way they automatically change the game and then what do you call that relationship – what changes the label the sex, the gender, or something else? Then I want to consider female sexuality in general and how all sexuality is oppressed, and what we can do to change it!
I will Survive!
Many queens identify with this song because they often have to leave behind someone or end something in order to wear a dress. Doing Drag for kings is less dramatic, not that our lives are lacking drama! It had different meaning for me.
Punk to Noble King
I want to explore the assumed empowerment of men. I want to strive for balance of male & female in myself. I want to learn as much as I can and put together a few performances. I want to practice my crowd manipulation as a man. Where can this take me?
NIN Izzy Ahee
So when I did this song I took all that intimidation and boundary pushing and threw it right into the character. I embody that part of me and release it among the crowd in a way the ended up making them all FUCKING HORNY! Ha ha! Good stuff and tons of fun.
“Comfort Zone”
As a teenager all of my friends constantly were dressing me, in order to “bring out my feminine side” I hoped they could inspire that “femme” side to come out because I was starting to get worried about the sexual feelings I was having for the girls putting on my make up.
Masochism Tango – Drag King Performance
By Hollis Taylor This challenge was hard for me for many reasons. #1 I don’t know Broadway all that well from a male perspective. #2 I chose a song that was awesome and fun, yes, but at the same time was hard to learn, and I wasn’t familiar with. So I had to teach myself…
Izzy Ahee 