Research-Drag Queens

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History of Drag Queens


Since part of our focus on the video is about drag queens we wanted to make sure that our facts were correct. Therefore we researched a bit on the history of Drag Queens up to now for factual accuracy. In the end, we also included some of the information in our news channel. We specifically looked into Rupauls Drag Race because we know he plays a major role in todays drag queens by encouraging them to be themselves and enjoy it. 
  • It is debatable to say when the term 'Drag Queen' came about but it is believed that it was coined in the 1800s. It came about because, the hem of the dress used to 'drag' on the floor and 'queen' was used to describe someone homosexual.
  • This term though was more specific to men dressed as women for theatrical and professional setting. It was more respectful for a man to dress as a woman in theatre than to have a woman be an actress. 
  • The first two men who walked the streets of Victorian London dressed as 'Fanny and Stella'. 

  • Around 1915, drag performance became its own phenomenon - with Julian Eltinge. He was os famous that he launched his own make-up and wardrobe magazine for women. 

  • In the 1920s drag becomes more closely aligned with the LGBT movement, where they would throw massive drag ball parties where the majority of men would dress as women, eventually starting a period call the 'pansy craze' 
  • When the quality of make-up improved in the 1950s, drags were expected to keep up 
  • In the 1960s drag moved a way from being something of impersonating a woman to a form of self expression for men 
Drag Queens Today 

After a long history, dating back to Shakespearian time, drag queens can now freely express themselves. This has resulted in fame for some of them but also beauty techniques for women. Meaning, that due to drags being men they had to do heavy make-up to get away with looking like a women. This resulted in contour, eyebrow fillers (I will be discussion make-up in another blog post). 

Some famous drag queens today: 

RuPaul = 
Has a TV series known as 'RuPauls Drag Race' where drags compete to see who is the best drag! Some of the judges on the show are famous, such as Graham Norton. 



My personal favourite: Jeffree Stars. He now produces make-up! 




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