You’re Born Naked, And The Rest Is Drag
Drag has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds lately, but it has been a celebrated art form for hundreds of years. The art of drag has changed plenty since it first began, and is now one of the most popular forms of entertainment among LGBTQ+ communities. If you didn’t know how the art form started, we’re here to explain it to you.
1. Theatre Slang
Men have been performing as women for centuries, dating back to ancient Greek theatre. The term “drag,” however, likely comes from the 19th-century British theatre community. When male actors performed female roles, they often wore long skirts or dresses that dragged across the floor.
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2. Evolution
Over time, the term drag simply evolved to describe the act of dressing in clothing of the opposite sex. The term was then adopted by gay communities, with “drag queen” becoming widely associated with gay men dressed in female attire around the 1920s.
3. World’s First Drag Queen
William Dorsey Swann was a gay liberation activist born into slavery in 1860, only finding freedom alongside his family after the Civil War. His beginnings in activism started in the 1880s and 90s, organizing a series of drag balls in Washington D.C. Swann labeled himself as the “queen of drag,” and also formed the “House of Swann,” a drag family mostly made up of former slaves.
4. Julian Eltinge
This famous drag queen made a name for herself during the vaudeville craze of the early 20th century. Cross-dressing was a popular theme among these shows, but Eltinge played a woman so convincingly that it genuinely shocked the crowd when he removed his wig on stage.
5. Ball Culture
Before Ru Paul’s Drag Race popularized individual drag queens, drag was heavily influenced by 60s and 70s ballroom culture. This was a countermovement pioneered by Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ people who were excluded from mainstream society. Eventually, these pageants led to the creation of “houses,” where attendees formed chosen families and lasting friendships.
6. RuPaul
Possibly one of the most influential drag queens of all time, RuPaul Andre Charles introduced drag to the world over 30 years ago. After spending his early years in NYC’s LGBTQ+ nightclub scene, RuPaul released his debut single, Supermodel (You Better Work) in 1993. This song received international success and landed Ru a position as a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics the following year.
7. Not The Same Things
It often seems that the terms “crossdressing,” “drag,” and “transgender” are used interchangeably. While they certainly remain important to one another, they’re not synonymous. Crossdressing simply means to wear clothing associated with the opposite sex, while drag is a highly public art performance that embodies a character or aspect of one's personality. Transgender is the umbrella term to describe individuals whose gender identity doesn’t align with the one they were given at birth. Trans people can be drag queens, but not all drag queens are trans!
8. The Trans Community
Despite their foundational differences, drag artists and transgender communities have always been closely associated. Trans activists like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Coccinelle all participated in the drag scene, often using their fame and support of their drag communities to push for LGBTQ+ rights.
9. It’s An Art
Drag is a highly artistic form of self-expression, in which an individual gets to put on a costume and transform into someone else entirely. Widely associated with gay men who dress in highly feminized costumes and makeup, drag has expanded into so much more.
10. Is It For Everyone?
It should always be remembered that drag is based in Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate. As famous drag star Sasha Velour once said, “drag cares more about what you do than who you are.”
1. Divine
Harris Glenn Milstead was born in 1945 in Baltimore. He started his career as a drag queen after working as a women’s hairdresser, and became closely associated with John Waters. Divine was a force to be reckoned with, appearing in several of Waters’s films and cited as the “Drag Queen of the Century” by People magazine.
2. Bianca Del Rio
Bianca Del Rio was born in 1975 in Louisiana and shot to fame after winning the 6th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Since winning, Bianca has toured as a stand-up comedian, even being the first drag queen to headline Wembley Arena. She’s also appeared in several films, TV shows, and theatre performances.
3. Trixie Mattel
Country-inspired Trixie Mattel was born in Silver Cliff, Wisconsin, and has made a name for herself outside of the RuPaul sphere. Boasting an impressive repertoire of music, comedy shows, and a makeup brand, Trixie Cosmetics.
4. Katya Zamolodchikova
You can’t bring up one without the other. Katya was born in Boston in 1982 and is a well-loved comedian, actor, author, artist, and podcaster. She is often seen working alongside Trixie, between their web series UNHhhh, their live shows, a joint book, and their podcast, The Bald and the Beautiful.
5. Jinkx Monsoon
Jinkx Monsoon is a two-time winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning first in 2013 and again in 2022. She is a well-loved comedian and especially revered for her celebrity impersonations. Most recently, Jinkx joined the Broadway cast of Chicago, doing a 2-month run as Matron Mama Morton, and also appearing as a villain in the BBC series Doctor Who.
6. Bob the Drag Queen
Bob the Drag Queen was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1986, and has spent her career as an activist, comedian, musician, author, and actor. After winning season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she appeared in several television shows and was the Master of Ceremonies for Madonna’s Celebration Tour.
7. Violet Chachki
Violet Chachki does more than just drag. After winning season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Violet went to perform in the burlesque and aerial world, and even became the first drag queen to star in a lingerie ad campaign. Over the years, she’s walked for companies like Moschino, Richard Quinn, and Prada, and even appeared at the 2019 Met Gala.
8. Frank Marino
Dubbed “Ms. Las Vegas,” Frank Marino has made a living for himself as a Joan Rivers impersonator. She’s received three Vegas Walk of Fame stars and holds the title as the longest-active and longest-running headliner on the Las Vegas Strip.
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9. Danny La Rue
Danny La Rue was an Irish-born entertainer who was well known for his celebrity impersonations, like Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, and Margaret Thatcher. At his peak in the 1960s, La Rue was among Britain’s highest-paid entertainers.
10. Dame Edna Everage
This popular character was portrayed by Australian comedian Barry Humphries, and is most recognizable by her lilac hair, cat-eye glasses, and her boisterous personality. She grew to fame in the 60s and 70s, even receiving credit for her work. Humphries passed away in 2023 and played Edna for nearly 70 years.
