We (yes, I wasn't alone in this. I'm not crazy, y'know) had many mixed reactions, from the enthusiastic spinning hugs to people ducking behind bushes to avoid us. Some people didn't know how to say 'no,' so they had their personal bubbles invaded. Others walked up wanting a 'post-midterm hug,' which we were more than happy to give. It was a good time.
Now, I bet you're wondering about that blog title: Kings and Queens of Drag. Well, I'm taking an anthropology of gender class, and it is finally starting to become interesting. The article I just finished reading featured some theory by Judith Butler, and one particular idea just can't be banished from my mind.
We're all in drag.
Think about it: what makes it natural for a man to dress and compose himself as "masculine?" Or a woman as "feminine?" By putting on those dresses and heels on Friday night, ladies, you're acting out gender. Guys, when you rock the oxford with a double-windsor you're performing gender.Crazy, huh?
As a closing note, I'd like to say that the image is a promotional shot from the film Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love that film to death. I highly recommend it to everyone. Yes, it's LGBTQ in nature, and a musical, and on the artsy side of film-making, but give it a chance.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna change out of my torn blue jeans and leather jacket and go to sleep.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch promotional photo (c) New Line Cinema
I love that film!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Butler too.
ReplyDeleteBut I didn't quite get the "we're all in drag" statement. Isn't drag about the subversion of gender?
I agree that clothing is always "acting out gender", but I always thought "drag" was a little more than that.
what she's getting at is that there is no difference between a male dressing in drag and a female dressing in "normal" clothing. drag most often refers to someone of one gender wearing the clothing symbolic of the opposite gender, so it's Butler's way of breaking down the gender/sex conflated binary. holy, big words Batman!
ReplyDelete