Editing Drag

The slang term "'''drag'''" refers to the wearing of clothing of the opposite sex ([[crossdressing]]), and may be used as a noun as in the expression ''in drag,'' or as an adjective as in ''drag show''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abate |first1=Frank R. |last2=Jewell |first2=Elizabeth |title=The New Oxford American Dictionary |title-link=NOAD |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-19-511227-6 |page=515 |oclc=959495250 }}</ref>

Since this wiki isn't Wikipedia (see Wikipedia's article on drag[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag]), this page should focus on aspects of drag that are specifically relevant to people who are [[nonbinary]], or at least to help disambiguate drag from other kinds of gender nonconforming [[clothing]] and [[transgender]] [[transition]] of [[gender expression]]. 

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==Terminology, scope and etymology==

[[File:Drag Queens at High Heel Drag Race.jpg|thumb|Participants of the High Heel Drag Race in Washington, D.C.]]

The origin of the term is uncertain;<ref name="Gerstner-2012">{{cite book|title=Routledge International Encyclopedia of Queer Culture |editor-last1=Gerstner |editor-first1=David A. |chapter=Drag |last1=Baroni |first1=Monica |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=851qoMjA3icC&pg=PA191 |date=2012 |orig-year=1st pub. 2006 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=978-1-136-76181-2 |oclc=815980386 |pages=191 |access-date=27 April 2018 |quote= }}</ref> the first recorded use of ''drag'' in reference to actors dressed in women's clothing is from 1870.<ref name="González-2008">{{cite book |editor1=María de los Ángeles Gómez González |editor2=J. Lachlan Mackenzie |editor3=Elsa M. González Álvarez |author1=Felix Rodriguez Gonzales |title=Languages and Cultures in Contrast and Comparison |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Sk6AAAAQBAJ |series=Pragmatics & beyond new series v 175 |date=26 June 2008 |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company |location=Philadelphia |page=231 |chapter=The feminine stereotype in gay characterization: A look at English and Spanish |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Sk6AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA221 |isbn=978-90-272-9052-6 |oclc=860469091  |accessdate=29 April 2017 }}</ref> The use of "drag" in this sense appeared in print as early as 1870<ref name="ReferenceA">Oxford English Dictionary 2012 (Online version of 1989 2nd. Edition) Accessed 11 April</ref><ref>'I know what "in drag" means; it is the slang for going about in women's clothes.': ''The Times'' (London), 30 May 1870, p.13, "The Men in Women's Clothes'</ref> but its origin is uncertain.  One suggested etymological root is 19th-century theatre slang, from the sensation of long skirts trailing on the floor.<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=drag] Online Etymology Dictionary: Drag</ref> Drag queens are typically gay men, but there are drag queens of all different sexual orientations and genders,<ref name="PsyToday">{{cite web |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-things-lgbtq/201801/the-psychology-drag |title=The Psychology of Drag |last=O'Brien |first=Jennifer |publisher=Psychology Today |date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> including trans women who perform as drag queens<ref name="Guardian-MBH">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/08/rupaul-drag-race-transgender-performers-diversity |title=Who can be a drag queen? RuPaul's trans comments fuel calls for inclusion |last=Levin |first=Sam |publisher=The Guardian |date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="WaPo-MBH">{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/03/09/im-a-trans-woman-and-a-drag-queen-despite-what-rupaul-says-you-can-be-both/ |title=I’m a trans woman and a drag queen. Despite what RuPaul says, you can be both. |last=Beverly Hillz |first=Monica |publisher=The Washington Post| date=March 9, 2018 | access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Esquire-AMP">{{cite web |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a19184923/peppermint-trans-drag-inclusion/ |title=Peppermint Is Taking on a New Fight for the Trans Community |last=Kirkland |first=Justin |publisher=Esquire |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> (sometimes termed ''trans queens''),<ref name="Vox-TQ">{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy |title=How RuPaul’s comments on trans women led to a Drag Race revolt — and a rare apology |last=Framke |first=Caroline |publisher=Vox |date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> such as Monica Beverly Hillz<ref name="Guardian-MBH"/><ref name="WaPo-MBH"/> and Agnes Moore, known by her stage name Peppermint,<ref name="Esquire-AMP"/> and cisgender women<ref>{{cite journal|last=Coull |first=Jamie Lee |date=2015 |title=Faux Queens: an exploration of gender, sexuality and queerness in cis-female drag queen performance |publisher=Curtin University}}</ref> who do, sometimes termed ''faux queens''.<ref name="Guardian-FQ">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/10/workin-it-how-female-drag-queens-are-causing-a-scene |title=Workin’ it! How female drag queens are causing a scene |last=Nicholson |first=Rebecca |publisher=The Guardian |date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> Drag queens' counterparts are ''drag kings'', women who dress in exaggeratedly masculine clothing; men who dress like drag kings are sometimes termed ''faux kings''.

===Drag queens===
'''Drag queens''' are performance artists, typically cisgender men, who dress in women's clothing and often act with exaggerated femininity and in feminine [[gender role]]s with a primarily entertaining purpose. They often exaggerate make-up such as eyelashes for dramatic, comedic or satirical effect. Drag queens are closely associated with gay men and gay culture, but can be of any sexual orientation or gender identity. They vary widely by class, culture, and dedication, from professionals who star in films to people who try drag very occasionally.

The activity, which is called ''doing drag'', has many motivations, from individual self-expression to mainstream performance. Drag queen activities among stage and street performers may include lip-syncing, live singing, dancing, participating in events such as gay pride parades, drag pageants, or at venues such as cabarets and discotheques.

Some drag queens may prefer to be referred to as "she" while in drag and desire to stay completely in character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-drag |title=Understanding Drag |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2017-04-28 |website=transequality.org |publisher=National Center for Transgender Equality |access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> Other drag performers say they are indifferent to which pronoun is used to refer to them. In drag queen RuPaul's words, "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don't care! Just so long as you call me."<ref>{{cite book|author=Rupaul|title=Lettin' It All Hang Out: An Autobiography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mq-HAAAAIAAJ|publisher=Hyperion Books|date=June 1995|page=139}}</ref>

===Drag kings===
[[Image:kingsporch.jpg|thumb|All The Kings Men—a drag king performance troupe from Boston]]
'''Drag kings''' are performance artists, typically cisgender women, who dress in masculine drag and personify male gender stereotypes as part of an individual or group routine.<ref name="Competitive Drag Kings Strut Stuff">{{cite web |last=Aronoff |first=Jen |title=Competitive Drag Kings Strut Stuff: With some spit and polish, women perform in growing world of cross-dressing pageantry |publisher=[[The Daily Gamecock|The University of South Carolina Daily Gamecock]] |date=2005-10-19 |url=http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2005/10/19/TheMix/Competitive.Drag.Kings.Strut.Stuff-1025370.shtml |accessdate=2007-07-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016152029/http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2005/10/19/TheMix/Competitive.Drag.Kings.Strut.Stuff-1025370.shtml |archivedate=2007-10-16 |df= }}</ref> They may be lesbian, bisexual, transgender, [[genderqueer]], or otherwise part of the [[LGBT]] community. They may also be straight. A typical drag show may incorporate dancing, acting, stand-up comedy, and singing, either live or lip-synching to pre-recorded tracks.<ref name="Drag King Contest by Dujour">{{cite web  |last=Dujour  |first=Dick  |title=Drag King Contest  |publisher=[[San Francisco Bay Times]]  |date=2006-08-24  |url=http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=5448
 |accessdate=2007-07-29}}</ref> Drag kings often perform as exaggeratedly [[Machismo|macho]] male characters,<ref name="Best of Sacramento - Drag King: Buck Naked">{{cite web |last=Beckner  |first=Chrisanne  |title=Best of Sacramento - Drag King: Buck Naked  |publisher=[[Sacramento News & Review]]  |date=2005-09-29  |url=http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=44107  |accessdate=2007-07-29}}</ref> portray marginalized masculinities such as construction workers, rappers, or they will impersonate male celebrities like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Tim McGraw.<ref name="Bring Out the Kings!">{{cite web  |last=Long  |first=Cris  |title=Bring Out the Kings!: Gage Gatlyn  |publisher=Out Impact  |date=2007-07-22  |url=http://www.outimpact.com/foldeddollarbillsready/dragkings/gagegatlyn.html  |accessdate=2007-07-29  |deadurl=yes  |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120809/http://www.outimpact.com/foldeddollarbillsready/dragkings/gagegatlyn.html  |archivedate=2007-09-29  |df=  }}</ref>

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several drag kings became British music hall stars, and British pantomime has preserved the tradition of women performing in male roles. Starting in the mid-1990s, drag kings started to gain some of the fame and attention that drag queens have known.<ref name="GAGE FOR YOURSELF">{{cite web  |title=Gage For Yourself  |publisher=Watermark Online  |date=2005-09-22  |issue=#1219  |url=http://www.watermarkonline.com/content.php?cid=313  |accessdate=2007-07-29  |deadurl=yes  |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824144740/http://www.watermarkonline.com/content.php?cid=313  |archivedate=2007-08-24  |df=  }}</ref><ref name="Inside Sydney's drag king culture">{{cite web
 |last=Caceda  |first=Eden  |title=Inside Sydney's drag king culture  |publisher=Hijacked  |date=2015-01-13  |url=http://hijacked.com.au/inside-drag-king-culture-with-sexy-galexy  |accessdate=2015-01-20}}</ref>

===Female impersonator===
Another term for a drag queen is ''female impersonator.''<ref>When Cross Dressing was a crime http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/books/2015/03/12/tbt-when-cross-dressing-was-crime?page=full</ref> Although this is still used, it is sometimes regarded as inaccurate, because not all contemporary drag performers are attempting to pass as women. Female impersonation has been and continues to be illegal in some places, which inspired the drag queen José Sarria to hand out labels to his friends reading, "I am a boy", so he could not be accused of female impersonation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/sarria_j.html |title=>> social sciences >> Sarria, José |publisher=glbtq |date=1923-12-12 |accessdate=2014-03-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005833/http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/sarria_j.html |archivedate=2013-12-03 |df= }}</ref> American drag queen RuPaul once said, "I do not impersonate females! How many women do you know who wear seven-inch heels, four-foot wigs, and skintight dresses?" He also said, "I don't dress like a woman; I dress like a drag queen!".<ref>Dr. Susan Corso (April 15, 2009). [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-corso/drag-queen-theology_b_175120.html Drag Queen Theology.] Retrieved: April 1, 2018.</ref>

===Alternative terms===
[[File:2004-GayPrideBrazil-1.jpeg|thumb|200px|alt=4 individuals portraying women|Drag queens walking in a parade in São Paulo, Brazil.]]

Drag queens are sometimes called transvestites, although that term also has many other connotations than the term ''drag queen'' and is not much favored by many drag queens themselves.<ref>Ford, Zack. "[https://thinkprogress.org/the-quiet-clash-between-transgender-women-and-drag-queens-297a9da4c5f6/ The Quiet Clash Between Transgender Women And Drag Queens]." ThinkProgress, 25 June 2014. Web. 9 September 2017.</ref> The term ''tranny'' has been adopted by some drag performers, notably RuPaul,<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Spargo |url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-tranny-lance-bass-drag-race/01/2012/ |title=NEW: RuPaul's 'Tranny' Conroversy<!--sic--> |publisher=NewNowNext |date=2012-01-15 |accessdate=2013-10-06}}</ref> and the gay male community<ref>{{cite web |last=Musto |first=Michael |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2010/11/is_tranny_so_ba.php |title=Is "Tranny" So Bad? |publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com |date=2010-11-12 |accessdate=2013-10-06 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221132/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2010/11/is_tranny_so_ba.php |archivedate=2013-10-04 |df= }}</ref> in the United States, but it is considered offensive to most transgender and transsexual people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bilerico.com/2008/09/is_tranny_offensive.php |title=Is 'Tranny' Offensive? |publisher=The Bilerico Project |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2013-10-06}}</ref>

Many drag performers refer to themselves as drag artists, as opposed to drag queens, as contemporary forms of drag have become [[nonbinary]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knauf |first1=Ana Sofia |title=Person of Interest: Arson Nicki |url=https://www.thestranger.com/features/2017/02/01/24834816/person-of-interest |website=The Stranger |publisher=Tim Keck |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lam |first1=Teresa |title=Getting to Know Non-Binary Drag Artist Rose Butch |url=https://hypebae.com/2018/6/rose-butch-non-binary-drag-performer-lgbtq-pride-month-vancouver-canada-interview |website=Hypebae |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref>

===Uncommon terms===
In the drag queen world today, there is an ongoing debate about whether transgender drag queens are actually considered "Drag Queens". This subject is argued because Drag Queens are defined as a man portraying a woman. Since transgender queens are now transitioned into women, many people do not consider them drag queens because they are no longer men dressing as women. Drag Kings are cisgender women who assume a masculine aesthetic. However this is not always the case, because there are also biokings, bio-queens, and faux queens, which are people who perform their own biological sex through a heightened or exaggerated gender presentation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://academic.eb.com/?target=%2Flevels%2Fcollegiate%2Farticle%2Fdrag-queen%2F627517|title=Britannica Academic|website=academic.eb.com|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Barnett|first=Joshua Trey|last2=Johnson|first2=Corey W.|date=November 2013|title=We Are All Royalty|url=https://dx.doi.org/10.18666/jlr-2013-v45-i5-4369|journal=Journal of Leisure Research|volume=45|issue=5|pages=677–694|doi=10.18666/jlr-2013-v45-i5-4369|issn=0022-2216}}</ref>

A faux queen or bio queen<ref>Nicholson, Rebecca. “Workin' It! How Female Drag Queens Are Causing a Scene.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 10 July 2017, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/10/workin-it-how-female-drag-queens-are-causing-a-scene.</ref> or female-bodied queen, on the other hand, is usually a cisgender woman while performing in the same context as traditional (men-as-women) drag and displaying such features as exaggerated hair and makeup (as an example, the performance of the actress and singer Lady Gaga during her first appearance in the 2018 film A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star is Born).<ref name="Davisson-2013">{{cite book |author=Amber L. Davisson |title=Lady Gaga and the Remaking of Celebrity Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWEsAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 |date=25 July 2013 |publisher=McFarland |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn=978-0-7864-7475-2 |page=55 |chapter=2. Dragging the Monster |oclc=862799660  |accessdate=12 April 2018 |quote=Within the drag community, "faux queen" is the title used for a woman who performs as a drag queen.}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Crossdressing]]
*[[Clothing]]

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last=Pavda|first=Gilad|title=Priscilla Fights Back: The Politicization of Camp Subculture|year=2000|journal=Journal of Communication Inquiry|volume=24|issue=2|pages=216-243|doi=10.1177/0196859900024002007}}

[[Category:Gender expression]]