McClatchy, make way for drag queens and kings! On May 4th, after school, Feminist Coalition and Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) hosted its annual drag show. Around the show, there were booths from Planned Parenthood, food, and more.
Drag began as actors dressing up as the opposite sex. Ancient civilizations had people crossdressing for ceremonies. When theatre started, men played female roles because women were not allowed to act.
Around the late 19th century, vaudeville shows helped drag influence America. Drag queens began performing around 1920s-1930s in underground gay bars. In the 1950s and 1960s, conservative America tried stopping the LGBTQ community and drag queens. However, after the Stonewall riots in 1969, the LGBTQ movements began and completely changed the way Americans viewed drag queens.
In the 1980s, drag entered mainstream media. Icons from the era include Lady Bunny, RuPaul, and Divine. From the 1980s to modern day, this drag era is referred to as the Ru Era, because RuPaul introduced drag to a wider audience with her TV show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, in addition to her music.
McClatchy hosted its first drag show around five years ago. “It’s free for all students to hang out, express themselves, and feel comfortable,” according to Anna Murray (‘18), Feminist Coalition’s president. “It’s so fun to watch people dance and lip sync to music.”
At the show, various booths gave goodies, advice, and pamphlets on sex, sexualities, and gender. This year, Planned Parenthood, the Gender Health Center, and My Sister’s Home came. Both Feminist Coalition and QSA also sold food, drinks, and their merchandise.
The show opened up with Miss Moony and Miss Demeanor introducing each of the five contestants. Then, each contestant performed their chosen song. Afterwards, teacher judges Mr. Ho, Ms. Cook, Mr. Masincupp, Mrs. Jablonski, and Mr. Tagg, announced the results.
Before crowning the winner, Moony and Demeanor announced lip syncing to RuPaul’s Covergirl. After one to two lines, the music stopped. Everyone was shocked. Then Pleather (Avery Anderson, CKM alumni ‘17) walked in and delivered her song. It was legendary to see her again.
When Moony and Demeanor were about to crown the winners, the judges announced a tie. Then, for the first time, two contestants lip synced for their lives, Miss Queenie Martini vs Mr. Chad Packington. The audience chose second and third place. Queenie Martini was third, Chad Packington for second, and Miss Nats won first place. Congratulations kings and queens!
Nats (Natalia Aguirre (‘18)) explained her inspiration, “Definitely coming out of my comfort zone. Kinda the opposite of me…I’m really shy and don’t talk in class. I really like music.” She loved the positive energy and vibes from other performers and the audience. “Drag is a great way to express your love for it [music] and just for anything.”
Pleather drew her inspiration from contemporary dance, famous drag queens, and the New York City club scene. “I just like the performing aspect, being able to turn a performance into more of art,” she explained.
On her advice to future kings and queens, “It kinda sounds cliche, but really just be yourself and do the type of drag you do.” Pleather was aware people bash drag styles like a woman dressing as a woman. To that she says, “If you like the type of drag and your persona, keep doing that.”
McClatchy: make sure to not sleep on this amazing event next year!