Is Drag Culture Appropriation or Appreciation?

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Kassandra Jara

Professor Riley

WGST 370-1 LEC (2585)

27 April 2021

Is Drag Culture Appropriation or Appreciation?

A lot of our class discussion has centred around the idea of expression, particularly as it

relates to gender. Expression, since the dawn of time, as presented itself in musicals, plays,

movies, songs, and more. For the sake of this paper I am going to choose a specific medium of

expression that is drag. Drag is a “symbolic representa-tives of the cultural ideals associated with

the feminine and women and how they have changed over time” (Underwood). We have all

become familiar with drag as we watch Ru Paul’s Drag Race and many other shows created

during the late 2000’s as a means of progressive change and education on the LGBTQ+

movement and expression of identity. However, in this paper I will also be showcasing the ways

in which even drag itself is or is not saved from the conflict of appropriation. This discussion is

aimed to provoke thought and answer one of many questions posed by my paper: is the

multiverse of drag guilty of appropriation or is society simply too “sensitive”?

Drag race, vogue, and ball culture are all various ways to express one’s true self and are

all performance, but they all differentiate as well. Since we are focusing on drag and ball culture,

I will be elaborating on the two and the history of both. Drag race is an art form and has been

going on for as long as we can remember. “Drag is distinguished from cross-dressing because

drag is purposefully done as a performance, and the manner of dress exaggerates the gender

expression” (Haefele-Thomas). It first began in the theatres during the early 1900s, when men

were the only ones that were allowed on stage. Sometimes men would have to fill in female roles

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by wearing clothing that was “meant for women.” You may consider this cross-dressing but drag

is a more deeper and complex

Discuss what drag is in more detail. Also introduce the meaning of appropriation and what,

exactly is being appropriated by drag and from whom. Add specific figures and historical

context. The best sources to use here would be the essay written by Speta and Shepherd as these

sources discuss both historical upbringing of drag and its impact on the world as well as

individuals.

Paragraph 2:

A continuation of drag culture if necessary. Also include context about ballroom culture

if not used in the previous paragraph. Explain the conflict caused by appropriation and how it has

affected the appropriated party/culture. The sources by Murray, Hisayasu, and Meyers might be

most useful here as it delves deeper in ballroom culture and what it has inspired or innovated.

Paragraph 3:

Use sources by Murphy and Gallineaux to explain the way in which media may interpret

drag and ballroom culture. What does it say about the LGBT+ (mainly trans and gender non

conforming) groups? Has this helped or harmed them in the eyes of society?

Paragraph 4:

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A good time to introduce the Lison source since it discusses Madonna and music videos

and conveniently would follow the paragraph about media representation. It’d be good include

other sources as well and maybe even other artist that may consciously or unconsciously

appropriate said culture as cisgender and/or heterosexual individuals (may be good to add

anecdotes or personal opinions).

Paragraph 5:

I think this would be a good paragraph to discuss the more personal aspects of joining

things like drag and ballroom. Explain why people may participate in these things and reiterate

certain sources like Speta.

Paragraph 6 or conclusion?:

Reiterate certain points and then state personal opinion or anecdotes.