What's with gay men and Drag?

[UnrepentantSinner]

There's one thing I've never understood about gays and that's Drag. You're not a woman, you're a gay man, so why dress up as a woman? And what's with the really horrific looking (at least to me) drag? You know, giant blonde wig, massive eyeliner, rouge up to your temples and a glittery ruby red ballgown is a look I wouldn't find attractive on a woman, and only find it creepy on a man. Can any of our Skepqueers enlighten me?

[UnrepentantSinner]

So no one will explain the appeal of To Wang Foo and Priscilla Queen of the Desert?

[Suezoled]

One guy once told me it's thrilling and sexy. It's something a bit forbidden, and the way it feels against the skin is very feminine or attractive.

It could be they care less how they look and more how they feel when they wear low cut dresses or high heel shoes with pantyhose.

Being a girl, I know I prefer to wear boy's clothing, actually. I'm very comfy in the pants with lower waist and large shirts with buttons to wear to work.

[kitsune]

Remember, "gay" and "drag queen" aren't always synonomous. Some gay men do not like to dress in drag, and some straight men like dressing in women's clothing, and have gone out in public posing as a woman.

Some do it because they look good in drag. Some do it because it's a sexual thrill, some do it because they feel more comfortable as a woman, some like to bend gender rules, some do it because it's a mask, some do it because they like the money, some do it because it's fun...

The reasons are as varied as the men who do drag. (okay, and women who are drag kings)

As for the "Oh, my GOD that's a not-very-attractive-man in a dress and with makeup that would make Tammy Faye Baker say 'That's just WAY too much makeup'", it's fun. It's silly, and most of them know it. They have fun with it, with being somewhere in between male and female. They make fun of our assumptions of being a man or a woman. (one of my favorites was in a gay bar in Longview, Tx. Her name is Grandma Porky)

And on a slightly more personal note, US, I have read and enjoyed many of your posts and I'm a bit surprised at the assumptions in this post. I read it as "all gay guys like dressing in drag" Was that the assumption you wanted us to make, or were you, as I pointed out, just referring to the specific gay (and straight) men who are drag queens?

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by kitsune
And on a slightly more personal note, US, I have read and enjoyed many of your posts and I'm a bit surprised at the assumptions in this post. I read it as "all gay guys like dressing in drag" Was that the assumption you wanted us to make, or were you, as I pointed out, just referring to the specific gay (and straight) men who are drag queens?

I'm sorry if I wasn't more clear. I am specifically referring to gay drag queens and most speicfically to those who do the over the top outfits/makeup. I can understand and fully appreciate the camp value, but it does seem to go beyond that for some.

[kitsune]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


I'm sorry if I wasn't more clear. I am specifically referring to gay drag queens and most speicfically to those who do the over the top outfits/makeup. I can understand and fully appreciate the camp value, but it does seem to go beyond that for some.

No problem *wink*.

Yeah, some do go a bit beyond camp, true, but again, they do it for all the varied reasons that I listed above. Probably that and the "attention" factor.

[American]

Oooh I know this one. I went to college.

They aren't gay, they are transgendered; they wish they were women.

If you want to learn what else they teach at universities, you'll have to write to the accounting office and see what your tuition dollars are paying for. This means you, mom and dad. (And no, I am not at all joking.)

[Prospero]

I can't say that I've ever understood the desire to dress in drag. I'm gay, but it's never entered into my mind as something worth contemplating for myself. I have more than a few drag queen friends whose behavior I can explain, however.

My first friend did so as a means of rebelling against familial-societal values represented in the hispanic culture. He adopted a different persona while in drag and thoroughly enjoyed making "narrow-minded" people uncomfortable. There were additional circumstances involving his parents and brother, but the majority of his actions were of an exhibitionist nature.

My second friend leaves me questioning the concept of the "feminization" of the brain, possibly during development in the womb. He is very tall and possessing of an extremely feminine figure. He wears a girls' size zero and dresses in female clothing even when not in costume. He is perfectly comfortable as a male, but his tastes are unarguably those of a woman. He is extremely graceful and is one of those few men that can very easily have all traces of masculinity completely subsumed by his attire. It's my personal opinion that he thrives on the attention he receives when doing his drag act in clubs and such. As would be expected from that section of the culture, he is rather permiscuous and I believe he uses his appearance as female to attract attention that would not normally be paid to him.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Prospero, your second friend reminded me of who I was going to point out earlier and that's RuPaul. He makes as great a looking blonde woman as it's possible for a 6'4" black man to make. He does tend to wear his makeup on the heavy side, but I guess that unavoidable.

Your shock value friend sounds more along the lines of the ones who I was really referring to and I guess I do get for that aspect as well as the camp. What I guess I don't care for, is the ugly garishnous of the makeup and outfits that really look less like a man imitating a woman and more like a man characterizing a woman. And for the record, I don't like women who wear tons of makeup and crazy outfits either. We're humans, not tropical songbirgs for christs sakes.

The one thing that I find most interesting that I observed in programs discussing the issue is that homosexual drag queens tend to go garish, while hetrosexual transvestites tend to dress frumpy or at least be more understated. I wonder if that relates back to the openly rebelling vs. quitly being different attitudes.

Suezoled wrote
Being a girl, I know I prefer to wear boy's clothing, actually. I'm very comfy in the pants with lower waist and large shirts with buttons to wear to work.

Except for a overly androgenous look I find women in pants and shirts to be very sexy. The "she's wearing my Oxford shirt and panties" and nothing else look is a fantasy for many men. I'm not so sure the number of women who want their S.O. dressed in boxers and a merry widow is as high.

I have a friend who, when she came to visit me the other night was wearing black cloth pants (jeans, but not denim) and a black 3/4 sleeve polo shirt with gray trim. She looked very sexy and that's why I can remember the details, whereas had a male friend worn a similar outfit, I might remember he was wearing black, if that. The one thing we won't compromise on is shoes. I wish she'd get some nice soft soled loafers or sneakers, but she wears these horrible squeezed-toe giant-heel monstrosities even with male clothing.

[MoeFaux]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
The one thing we won't compromise on is shoes. I wish she'd get some nice soft soled loafers or sneakers, but she wears these horrible squeezed-toe giant-heel monstrosities even with male clothing.

Are you talking chunk heels or stilettos? Because if you're knocking stilettos, I'll have to give you a stern talking to.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
Are you talking chunk heels or stilettos? Because if you're knocking stilettos, I'll have to give you a stern talking to.

Both. She's a topless dancer, and I don't even want to get into the shoes she wears on stage. They look more like a weapon or digging impliment than footwear. I don't like women torturing themselves for "fashion" when some sensible pumps would work just fine.

[MoeFaux]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


Both. She's a topless dancer, and I don't even want to get into the shoes she wears on stage. They look more like a weapon or digging impliment than footwear. I don't like women torturing themselves for "fashion" when some sensible pumps would work just fine.

Yeah, I know. I've got those shoes.
For some people, it's not torture, just fun.
How about you try these (http://www.bad-influence.com/store/default.tpl?action=full&cart=3273520966484776&--eqskudatarq=IM512-7) on for size? Or these (http://www.bad-influence.com/store/default.tpl?action=full&cart=3273520966484776&--eqskudatarq=IM-VALENTINE7INCH)?

[Dragonrock]

Last year I happened to be in San Fransisco during the Gay Pride parade. My wife and I thought it would be fun so we went down to watch. At first the garish costumes and outlandish behavior was funny and entertaining. Also, some of the political demonstrations were well thought out and informative.

When the newness wore off it started to look more like a freak show. I saw less "pride" and more "shock". It seemed like people were behaving that way just surprise or in some cases offend. I don't see the pride in reinforcing stereotypes that many others are working to overcome.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by Dragonrock
I don't see the pride in reinforcing stereotypes that many others are working to overcome.

I guess this is the stumbling block to understanding I just can't surmount. A gross characterization of a woman conveys less a message of camp and gaeity(sic) than just plain old weirdness.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
Yeah, I know. I've got those shoes.
For some people, it's not torture, just fun.
How about you try these (http://www.bad-influence.com/store/default.tpl?action=full&cart=3273520966484776&--eqskudatarq=IM512-7) on for size? Or these (http://www.bad-influence.com/store/default.tpl?action=full&cart=3273520966484776&--eqskudatarq=IM-VALENTINE7INCH)?

OH MY GOD!!! For one thing, I wouldn't be able to walk in those much less dance. And 7 inch heels are an abomination. If a woman needs 7 inch heels, they should have 4 or 5 inches under the ball. I realize they might look like Antonio Vargas in I'm gonna get you sucka or Elton John in Tommy but please, torture cannot be fun.

Now that I think about it, my friend is 5'7" and I'm 6'2," that's 7 inches. Recently for her birthday I bought her some work shoes and when she modeled them for me her face was nearly even with mine. ...I'm starting to regret buying that particular pair for her. :(

[MoeFaux]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


OH MY GOD!!! For one thing, I wouldn't be able to walk in those much less dance. And 7 inch heels are an abomination. If a woman needs 7 inch heels, they should have 4 or 5 inches under the ball. I realize they might look like Antonio Vargas in I'm gonna get you sucka or Elton John in Tommy but please, torture cannot be fun.

Now that I think about it, my friend is 5'7" and I'm 6'2," that's 7 inches. Recently for her birthday I bought her some work shoes and when she modeled them for me her face was nearly even with mine. ...I'm starting to regret buying that particular pair for her. :(

Unfortunately, I can't walk in them either. I can only do up to 5 1/2 with ease. When the heels are any higher, it takes signifigant practice and stretching excercises, as you are strecthing the tendons and muscles of your legs to be able to have your leg straight while having your foot at such an angle.
I mean, not that I know, or anything.

Crossdressing isn't just for gay men, as it was stated before. I had a male friend who was fascinated by womens shoes, but he had no other interest in wearing any other item of womens clothing.

I see no problem for drag queens to scare people during parades. It's fun to flaunt something that you do and intimidate people with it. I don't think it encourages a stereotype; but I'm very open minded.

[UnrepentantSinner]

OMG. Last night as I was going over my receiepts for my purchases of late, and noticed that there was more data than the date and price for my friend's birthday shoes.


7" heels. How dare she mislead me like that at purchase time...

:( I am heartbroken at the torture she puts herself through. Next visit, she definately gets a foot massage.

I really like giving women foot massages...