July 13, 2010 3:44 AM BST
Once, when I was first venturing out in the real world in broad daylight, I had a drag queen tell me off. Told me I looked awful, makeup was flawed, etc. Said I couldn't get anything right. They showed me a pic of what they looked like on stage: Diaphanous gown. Heavy makeup, professionally done. Falsies. Smooth, shaved legs that rocked. A wig that was phenomenally good looking. She looked gorgeous, every horny man's dream. Compared to
that, I looked like a schoolgirl and was told as much. I paid my lunch tab and left, trying hard not to cry. (I wasn't wearing waterproof mascara.)
I went back the next day to the same place, and the gal behind the counter called me over and told me something that has stuck to this very day. She said that she had heard the conversation the day before, and that the drag queen did this as a side gig, earning a few extra bucks and there.
I, on the other hand, was living like a woman, and did I see the difference?
I walked out of there that day feeling like a million bucks, because I
did see the difference. And I have ever since.
So I guess the crux of the argument (to me, at least) is right there. Some of us live the lives, and to others, it's a job. And to others still, it doesn't matter because they will never even get to either point. And to a few others, they move past and become.
The TG umbrella is a pretty big umbrella, you ask me. That drag queens belong under it--or not--is in the end an academic question, I suspect, as it truly depends on the drag queen in question. The same could be said of the occasional cross-dresser.
Meantime,
I'm gonna keep living my life as the woman I have become.
Luv 'n hugs,
Mina
Another common usage definition of Drag Queen is a person who is not a stage performer but affects a mode of dress,make-up and body language similar to the on stage ones. I've often heard passersby refer to such a person as a "Drag Queen." I suspect some TGs who can't or won't attempt to pass get called that, too.
Best,
Melody
July 10, 2010 12:42 AM BST
I don't see how it's our place to make that decision. We don't like it when people judge us, so who the hell are we to say what drag queens are or aren't?
Why not ask a DQ what he/she thinks? That would make a lot more sense.
July 10, 2010 3:16 AM BST
TG sites are full of folks who have names like Suzi Sweetpanties, Bobbi Blowme, Cristi Corsetsqueeze, Sandra Sissymaid, Billie Bootlick, Bianca Bendover, Diana Dirtydiapers, and Toni Toesuck (sorry if any TGS members use any of these...).
Once again, are these "girls" TG or just fetishists?
I see being TG as having some sort of belief/desire that one is internally female (F2M not included, obviously.)
So shoot me for having an opinion...
Melody
July 10, 2010 4:21 AM BST
Hi Marsha,
I made those names up (it was really fun) but I've seen similar, and far worse on Internet TG sites (and a few here at TGS if you look). I had a few other really good ones but I couldn't get them past the TGS internal censor....
As to why, I don't know but it seems to me they are looking for humiliation and they seem to think taking the female role fits that need. At least that's my take.
Best,
Melody
July 10, 2010 2:55 PM BST
Jeeze take them for what they are, probably stems from the Sheakspere era, when women were not allowed to perform on stage
and men, boys always played the part of women. Its a harmless chariacture of women, Now clowns thats another matter altogether. lol. Pantomime dames and Principle boys. Punch and Judy.
July 10, 2010 5:37 PM BST
My posting made perfect sense. Furthermore, I really don't see why we seemed to be so concerned with drag queens these days. I don't think they mock women at all. My GG friends feel the same way.
July 12, 2010 1:49 AM BST
Hi Penny,
I really do appreciate your viewpoint. I would never exclude anyone who self-identifies as TG from our little community.
But, are we automatically including folks don't self-identify as TG, indeed would be insulted at the very idea of being one of "us"?
A while back there as link to a story about a couple of athletes who were having a lark, a blokes in dresses night out who whomped some haters who they ran across. Good for them, but were they actually TG or just a couple of big guys in dresses looking for a fight? If they came here and told us they were TG, great. But I doubt that will ever happen.
I've spent a lot of my life around "outlaw bikers" and some were truely hardcore, others were folks who just loved motorcycles, still others were "wannabes" some of whom didn't even have a bike. Were they all really "outlaws"? I don't think so.
Best,
Melody
July 12, 2010 2:59 PM BST
Hi Penny,
You said, "I have never considered or said Drag Queens are "automatically" apart of the trans community. I can see how some people would consider someone who has a physical male body dressed up as a female Drag Queen as part of the trans community but those people are only judging people at a skin deep level and we all know human beings are much more complicated than that."
That is exactly the point I was trying to make when I started the thread that led to this one. I don't understand what the big objection that Lynn, Meredith and a couple of others have to it.
Best,
Melody