Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
The History of Drag Queens
Apr 11, 2024
Jacob Bloomfield, author of Drag: A British History, discusses the origins of drag dating back to the 1870s, its evolution into a cultural phenomenon, societal perceptions of drag in relation to sexuality and class, and the historical significance of drag performances during wartime. The episode delves into the censorship faced by drag performers and the changing attitudes towards drag throughout history.
42:12
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Quick takeaways
- The term 'drag' originated from soliciting sex in women's clothes, evolving into a queer subcultural term associated with sex work and cruising.
- Drag shows faced suppression, censorship, yet played a crucial role in servicemen's entertainment during WWI and WWII, highlighting evolving societal attitudes towards drag.
Deep dives
Origins of Drag Terminology and Meaning
The term 'drag' originated from the coach carriage drag where 'dragging the dress' referred to wearing women's clothes to solicit sex from men. Drag began as a queer subcultural term associated with sex work and cruising. The first instance of 'drag' in newspapers happened in 1870 in reference to the Bolton and Park case, shedding light on subcultural terms.
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