I grew up doing sports and things like that, and even when I did music classes, we were always competitive. Do you have any desire to audition for Drag Race? This is Britain in 2022, the year drag queens went mainstream. (Photo courtesy of Loyalty . Drag is a buffet. Female masculinity is still scary to some people. Theres less inherent theatricality and, up until now, less glitz to performing in male drag, too; plus, people are a lot more accustomed in everyday American life to seeing women in pants than men in skirts. New England Dragway. But her success goes well beyond the "Drag Race" universe and social media. Ive got protection for my personal safety hidden in different parts of my house, just in case I ever get barged in on in the middle of the night. I put little nuggets like that in every single category and approach. A regular character on TV is something Ive wanted since I started over 25 years ago, he said. In the coming months, he will appear in roles on three high-profile TV series: Amy Schumers Love, Beth on Hulu, Bridget Everetts Somebody Somewhere on HBO, and the American reboot of the British sitcom This Country, on which he will play a magician. How does it feel to win the 2022 Drag Queen of the Year Pageant? Mr. Dick recently created a website, dragkinghistory.com, to help new audiences learn about the art forms past. With the United Methodist Church's recently announcing its General Conference would be rescheduled, further examples of the denomination's rift over human sexuality are rising to the surface. This years contestants will be competing for a $10,000 cash prize, picking up the mantle from reigning Drag Queen of the Year (and The Boulet Brothers Dragula contestant) Abhora. Were our own thing, Mr. Newton said. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Female drag queens, now rising in numbers and appearing on RuPauls Drag Race, are ignored. His earliest drag performance was as a fat sweaty Elvis, to use his words, at 2 a.m. on a Sunday at a party called Club Casanova at a venue called Cake on Avenue C. It felt very underground, he said. See EW's exclusive cast reveal with Drag Race winner Alaska and Lola LeCroix. To that end, Tenderoni will go up against seven other disparate drag artists some bearded, burly and burlesque; some Jessica Rabbit curvaceous; some known for their lingerie-clad muscles for the Drag Queen of the Year crown in a show to be seen on the Sessions Live platform. I was poor as hell when I moved down here, but now that Im starting to add up some more cash, I would love to actually work on it. It feels surreal, but it really hasnt sunk in yet. Being a drag queen is about a lot more than someone who presents as masculine dressing in traditionally feminine clothes. RuPaul's Drag Race began just 14 years ago without much hoopla, on Logo TV, a minor cable network in the US dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community.But in 2022, it has become a major franchise . The Most Fabulous Part:Need proof of what a tight-knit communityRuPaul's Drag Racehas become? SanDiego also competed in famous drag queen Alaska Thunderf-ck's "Drag Queen of the Year" pageant in 2021, where she won in the Q&A category. The attacks also included a bomb threat made against a restaurant in South Carolina for hosting a drag brunch; rocks and smoke bombs thrown at a drag performance in Oregon; and most absurdly, death threats made against a dog shelter in Alabama after it invited a drag queen to read from the book Walter the Farting Dog to a room full of canines. Watch It:To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Now, theres more artistry and more makeup. Lets make it a corpse instead and come out in a body bag. For question and answer, I took off my head and scalp and had my brain exposed and sort of picked my brain for the answer. The backlash is multi-layered, from online hate campaigns to the introduction of new anti-LGBT laws, to violent, armed protests outside drag events. He's a drag king, which, generally speaking. After the posting of a children's drag queen book on Facebook, librarians in Moon faced a barrage of angry calls and violent threats. Being a king is more draggy. The showmanship is phenomenal. At a good brunch, he noted, Performers now go through three or four costume changes during a one-hour show.. The providers terms, conditions and policies apply. What they do isnt just valid, its fierce.. Everyone has something to prove, and everyone brings so much, Alaska 5000 said. A December 2021 social media post showing children's book "The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish" has led to a year's worth of consternation for the Moon Township library. Its drag, its cosplay and, he hopes, its enough to win. Hes a drag king, which, generally speaking means a performer born female, who takes the stage in mens clothes. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT on Sessions Live with eight queer performers vying for the crown for the first time since The Boulet Brothers' Dragula contestant Abhora took the pageant's inaugural prize in 2019. I come from a super religious household and upbringing, and I was at church five or six days a week, sometimes every single day. Published. I think these people must be very scared of the world, he said. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Nicholas DeRenzo is a contributing writer who covers entertainment and travel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Instinct Magazine 2023 - All Rights Reserved. Mama Ru's coming to Queen of the Universe as the history-making, Emmy-winning host of RuPaul's Drag Race signs on to executive produce Paramount+'s upcoming drag singing competiti Storm DeLarverie, a Stonewall activist who preferred the term male impersonator to drag king, passed for a man while touring America with the Jewel Box Revue in the 50s and 60s. With Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, Sarah Lancashire, Shobna Gulati. The UMC's Drag Queen Clergy Candidate. Whether it's the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race, The Boulet Brothers' spookily dynamic Dragula series or Alaska & Lola LaCroix's Drag Queen of the Year competition, (returning digitally this year on March 7, 2021) one thing is certain; the art of drag is for absolutely everyone. The protests against drag queens reading stories to children exploded throughout Britain in 2022, from Bristol to Bodmin to Welling. Available to stream for free on Amazon Prime Video, New Shows Coming to Broadway This Fall That Are Worth a Trip, AARP Membership-Join AARP for just $12 for your first year when you enroll in automatic renewal, 8 books featuring noteworthy LGBTQ characters, Discover the rich culture and history of LGBTQ life in, How Greg Louganis paved the way for other LGBTQ athletes. I love doing pageants, I love competing, and more so than that, I love winning. Were all finding new ways to spread joy through the power of sequins.. All rights reserved. We often got questions., Chief among them: What the heck is a drag king?. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly A San Francisco icon who recently moved to LA, Militia is a performer, singer, and activist who has been a figure participant in discussions of race relations in the queer arts community and equity in the nightlife scene. Their drag fashion comes from anything they like or are interested in. RuPaul's Drag Race recap: And the Rest Is a Drag! When Jenny Bicks and I sold This Country to Fox, one of my first goals was to get him on it. by Nicholas DeRenzo, AARP, September 8, 2021, Beth Dubber/Netflix; Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, (Left to right) RuPaul in "AJ and the Queen"; John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Drag royalty Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 and Lola LeCroix introduced the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant in 2019, which placed drag inclusivity at the forefront and created a space that was open to all drag performers regardless of their anatomy, gender identity, or experience level. And in Uganda, the government shut down Sexual Minorities Uganda, its only LGBT rights organisation. Twenty-two former contestants make a cameo or guest-star in the series! 'RuPaul's Drag Race' icon Alaska tells EW why she's bringing an inclusive cast to center stage at 'Drag Queen of the Year' and reveals her new comedy special is coming soon! You were passing as a male. Kings were spirit-gumming their own hair clippings to their chins and chests in the name of entertainment. and was broadcast online via the premium social live media platform Moment House for anyone that couldnt be in attendance. I felt like I had a plan going in, and everything sort of went off, so it feels correct (laughs). The judges for the event are a heavy hitting roster, consisting of drag aficionados like Nicole Byer and 2019 contestant Aurora Sexton, as well as Drag Race alumni Shea Coule, Peppermint, Vinegar Strokes, Jiggly Caliente, & Willam. Jun 11-13, 2021. My mom was in the choir; my dad was a lead usher; everyone was involved in church. Watch Alaska and LeCroix crown a new Drag Queen of the Year on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. In Texas, a similar bill was already introduced in November. With that diversity and inclusivity in mind, Alaska & Lola LaCroix have brought back the Drag Queen of the Year pageant competition once again. The Most Fabulous Part:Divine did double duty in this film, also playing the racist TV station manager Arvin Hodgepile, out of drag. The Most Fabulous Part:The dazzling outfits won an Oscar for best costume design, making Priscilla one of only three films set in contemporary times (as opposed to period, fantasy or sci-fi films) to ever receive such an honor. A Toronto drag queen described as legendary has died and people in the city are mourning her loss with heartfelt tributes on social media. The contest is an invitational event, with contestants chosen by a mysterious panel of anonymous Drag Elders. who this year have chosenMaureen San Diego, Chiquitita, Lucy Stoole, Tito Soto, Cassandra Complex, Tenderoni, Dixie Surewood, and Jake Dupree to battle it out for the title. This years show took place at the Million Dollar Theatre in LA. For $149, all of the aforementioned perks are included along with a virtual one-on-one meet and greet with Alaska after the show, a signed limited edition official 2021 DQOY candle by Maison de LeCroix, and an official poster signed by Alaska. Connect with him on Instagram: @dennyp777. . OFM caught up with Militia to talk more about her win and experience, discovering her passion for drag, and her venture into music. The Drag Queen of the Year pageant takes such diversity as its mandate. Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) also won in their respective categories at the fifth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT on Sessions Live, and check out EW's exclusive preview with the RuPaul's Drag Race. In 2018, Trixie won the "All Stars" season and now has over 2.4 million followers on Instagram. 1 qualifiers at the 13th event of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Laurence Fox, the actor-turned-right-wing-activist, and former candidate for mayor of London, lost the latest round of his high court libel battle against a gay ex-trustee of Stonewell and a drag queen called Crystal, after calling them paedophiles on Twitter. The Most Fabulous Part:It's hard to beat Hackman's Sen. Keeley, donning a wig and lip-syncing We Are Family, to escape from the paparazzi. I was studying music, and the drama department decided they wanted to do a musical but forgot that people would have to sing. Logout. 1 yr. ago. I dealt with gay slurs my entire childhood. Drag royalty Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 and Lola LeCroix introduced the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant in 2019, which placed drag inclusivity at the forefront and created a space that was open to all drag performers regardless of their anatomy, gender identity, or experience level. Lawrence Chaney (born Lawrence Maidment; 16 October 1996) is a Scottish Glasgow -based drag queen. The pageant was held virtually due to the pandemic, so SanDiego's Q&A with the judges happened over Zoom. And the winner of the 2022 Drag Queen of the Year Pageant is Militia Scunt! But despite a penchant for lip-syncing to Missy Elliott, Tenderoni isn't a drag queen. From military and sportswear to burlesque, I like to go to the extremes of masculine and feminine. These events in which queens read books to children, often in libraries, brought all the hatred to the yard. While androgynous costume in this direction is hardly new Marlene Dietrich famously set libidos afire in top hat and tuxedo in the 1930 movie classic Morocco drag kings tend to be the lesser-exposed and underappreciated segment of drag. Maddy Morphosis This queen is 26 years old and is from Fayetteville, Arkansas. RuPaul, appearing on The Late Late Show, described such legislative attempts as a diversion tactic to take the narrative away from the gun debate into something [else], to scare people into thinking about something else. For it to be illegal to publicly express non-heterosexual relations is an effective criminalisation of the LGBT community. En espaol | If you're searching for a glittery bit of escapism this fall, look no further than the new movie Everybody's Talking About Jamie, the cinematic adaptation of a hit West End musical that opened in London in 2017. This New Year's Eve is going to be a DRAG! They project what anti-LGBTQ folk have always projected onto this community: sex and deviancy. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. With the last runs at Byron in the books, racers head back to where it all started this year, U.S. 131 Raceway in Martin, Michigan, for the fifth and final day of HOT ROD Drag Week 2021. The result was a fierce competition that electrified the audience, inspired the world, and broke down barriers. Im just in the back getting ready by myself before any of the dancers have come, and I hear people coming in hella loud. Patrick Strudwick is a multi-award-winning investigative reporter, who was the first LGBT specialist in a British newsroom. Click here to see the competitions replay before its too late. "We're only crowning one winner, but the things that I've seen people do with this platform and this stage [during] this experiment, no matter what happens and no matter who wins, everyone can take this and run with it. He sets out in an RV and soon finds a stowaway hiding among his gowns: 10-year-old troublemaker AJ (Izzy G.). Watch Alaska and LeCroix crown a new Drag Queen of the Year on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. This years Drag Queen of the Year will be virtual and you can buy tickets with a variety of perks, contestants in contention for the crown are: Maureen San Diego (Chicago) Chiquitita (Brooklyn, New York) Lucy Stoole (Chicago) Tito Soto (Los Angeles) Cassandra Complex (New Jersey) Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Our pick. Visually, I would say the aesthetic itself is pretty eclectic. Force said. 9/25 - Hoot, Waddle & Stroll 5k Charity Trail Run & Guided Stroll - Finish - Award Categories - Youtube. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. Its more extreme in the US, but its ricocheting across the UK and spreading throughout the globe. Every category is its own competition because you win categories. RuPaul's Drag Race recap: Prancing Queens, RuPaul's Drag Race recap: Divine Inspiration, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' recap: 'Conjoined Queens'. The Plot:When his family's shoe factory in Northampton, England, faces financial ruin, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) hatches an unexpected plan to save the business: He partners with local drag queen Lola (Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor) to make high-heeled boots for other drag performers. Drag events in Boston, MA Illusions The Drag Brunch Boston - Drag Queen Brunch Show - Boston, MA Illusions The Drag Brunch Boston - Drag Queen Brunch Show - Boston, MA Sat, Mar 4, 1:30 PM + 218 more events Illusions the Drag Queen Brunch Show Boston Boston, MA Drag Bingo Drag Bingo Sun, Mar 12, 6:00 PM Time Out Market Boston Boston, MA Julie Newmar, on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube. In the meantime, please feel free Darcelle XV, officially the world's oldest drag queen, is part of an LGBT generation that lived through HIV/Aids Darcelle XV, known as the 'unofficial welcome wagon to Portland, Oregon', will. Most drag kings, though, are still fighting an uphill battle. Stay up-to-date with Militia by following her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and SoundCloud @militiasf. I said, Bloody? Tito Soto Presents PRINCESS A DISCO DANCE PARTY AND DRAG SPECTACULAR! Drag is a parasite, and it will drain you of all your money. The reality-TV juggernaut has launched more than a dozen spin-offs and international versions and racked up 19 Primetime Emmys, including five for RuPaul for best host and three for best competition program. Besides winning, were there any other moments from this experience that were most memorable to you? Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, Alaska's Drag Queen of the Year 2021 pageant returns with new cast. By August, a seemingly nervous Rochdale Borough Council postponed a Drag Queen Story Hour event it was due to hold with Aida H Dee, who said it was done without discussion and without a future date offered. The Bay State's positive test average decreased again last week. Tenderoni outside of a barbershop in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.CreditEvan Jenkins for The New York Times. carbon dioxide absorption is an appropriate indicator of photosynthesis because. On Feb. 21, he celebrated veteran drag kings with an international online event called Drag King Legends. The pay-what-you-can show featured stalwart performers like Fudgie Frottage of San Francisco, Flarington King of Toronto and Ken Vegas of Washington, D.C. All have been drag kings for 25 years or more. Although a king has not yet been featured on Drag Race (a trans man named Gottmik who performs in female drag has), drag kings at last are getting more exposure elsewhere, and surprisingly, the pandemic may have helped. Observations: Queens I thought would do better than they did: - Shea - Nina West - Trixie - Gigi - Kameron - Manila - Willam Queens I though would do worse than they did: - Jinkx - Tatianna - Raja - Aquaria Jaime Herndon May 25, 2021. More recently, Vida, a Starz show about two Mexican-American sisters, featured the drag king Vico Suave, the creation of Vico Ortiz, a nonbinary actor. Bradenton, FL - Thursday, Friday and Saturday - $10,000 to Win for Box & No Box along with $2,000 to Win for Junior Dragsters at the RT Promotions New Year Nationals in Bradenton, Florida. Im lucky to have been born in California where theres everything you can want. The Plot:Director Mike Nichols set his beloved English-language remake of the 1978 Franco-Italian film at a South Beach, Miami, drag club owned by Armand (Robin Williams) and Albert Goldman (Nathan Lane, now 65). By. Brittany Force, 3.730 seconds, 326.24 mph. I host a brunch there every single Sunday, so if you want to come see the Drag Queen of the Year perform a little bit more, come see me every Sunday! In response, many performers ramped up their personal security. www.aarp.org/volunteer. Diseo y fabricacin de reactores y equipo cientfico y de laboratorio Men. The book reveals all of the characteristics described by the drag queen, including heavy makeup, snapping, shimmying, twirling, and hip-shaking, according to The Daily Wire . Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. Chicago Drag King Winner of The Drag Queen of the Year Pageant 2021 booktenderoni@gmail.com Men are just not as exciting to look at.. In New York back then, that meant a watering hole like Flamingo East on Second Avenue, in an East Village much rougher than it is today. Then whats left is obviously going back into drag. The first 500 digital tickets to the show will be priced at $20, and every regular ticket sold after the initial number will cost $25. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Friday, December 31st, 2021 ***PLEASE NOTE: This event has been cancelled to protect our guests, staff, and performers from the spread of COVID-19 as cases in NJ are increasing at a rapid rate. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. The mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ night club in Colorado Springs, in late November, in which five people, including two trans people, were killed and a further 25 were injured, only heightened the sense of terror. Start 2022 off right with the DIVAS at "Drag Me To 2022 - New Years Eve Bash", a Drag Show/Dance Party Hybrid where Bottles will be Popping and Balls . Those early days in the clubs were electric, uncharted and riveting, said Murray Hill, 49, a New York comedian known as the hardest-working middle-aged man in show business since his emergence as a young drag king in 1995. Im originally from the East Bay, and I started doing drag in San Francisco, but I didnt have any connections. Badenoch admits conversion therapy ban faces more delays - five years after it was promised, Opinion | Prisons have never been safe for women removing trans people won't change that, Inside Stonewall FC, where the world's biggest LGBT+ club is challenging stereotypes, All the contestants on RuPauls Drag Race UK, ranked, Stitch, Please! LIVESTREAM TICKET STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE with 30 DAY REPLAY! CLICK . But now that drag has gone mainstream the Season 13 premiere of RuPauls Drag Race on VH1 on Jan. 1 drew 1.3 million viewers, its highest-rated episode ever performers who exaggerate and explore the tropes of manhood are getting a closer look. Tour our photo gallery that highlights all of the past 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winners, from BeBe Zahara Benet to the most recent. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Watch It:RuPaul's Drag Race, on Paramount+, Hulu. At home tests will not be accepted. Its been a very dramatic, up-and-down moment, but Ive been writing forever. Watch It:The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, on Pluto TV, DON'T MISS THIS:New Shows Coming to Broadway This Fall That Are Worth a Trip. In addition to a prestigious title, her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent earned her a sash, a bouquet of very nice flowers, and a cash prize of $10,000. 1. Ive done shows and heard, Im from Brazil, Im from London. It has opened the floodgates.. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Mo B. Dick, 55, the drag king who ran Club Casanova before decamping for the West Coast in 2004, said that in that era, it was more about drag king realness. While the energy in those Harlem clubs was euphoric, director Jennie Livingston (now 59) isn't afraid to dive deep on such hot-button issues as AIDS, homophobia, transgender identity and racism. The Plot:In this heartwarming comedy series bySex and the Citywriter-director Michael Patrick King, 68, RuPaul plays Ruby Red, a drag performer who's been scammed by his boyfriend and must mount a cross-country comeback tour. related to AARP volunteering. Mo B. Dick wipes down a dirt bike at home. Often, a show will feature a dozen queens and only one king, Mr. Kampe said. Last minute, they crossed over campus to the music department and were asking if anyone would be comfortable with doing a musical. 2021 Outfront Magazine. This year, I saw it the day before the deadline. It would be nice if drag could help me do that. Thats how I got popular out there. Wang Newton at The Norwood club in Manhattan. That world our world is dividing ever further apart. Site Design by the DragRaceResults.Com network, Casey Prince Wins Large at Great American USA $100k, World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) formed - Hits 30 Track Membership Mark, ACE Ohio Summit Racing Fall Slam - LIVE COVERAGE, Moser Engineering Trip 12's - LIVE COVERAGE, 11th Annual JEGS Summer Door Car Shootout presented by BTE returns to I-57 Dragstrip, September 16-18, Todd's Extreme World Super Pro Challenge - LIVE COVERAGE, Keystone Raceway Hosts 660 Top Bulb Nationals This Weekend, TB Promotions Twin Fifties - LIVE COVERAGE, VMP Triple Threat Bracket Series - LIVE COVERAGE, 2 Featured Big Bucks Races This Weekend Including Live Coverage, Upcoming Featured Big Bucks Races This Weekend, SFG World Series of Bracket Racing - Complete Results, Great American Dream Team Bracket Race - Complete Results, Verge Motorsports Quick Outlaw Series Results - Kil-Kare, Great American Bracket Races Revamps Dream Team Weekend Format. Given how quickly information and safety requirements surrounding COVID-19 change, our guidelines are subject to change. Lou Chibbaro Jr. Masculinity is something that deserves to be made fun of., https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/style/drag-kings.html. 3. Here is a look at the wealthiest drag queens in 2022 and their estimated net worth. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. In the last few weeks, Barbados has decriminalised homosexuality and Ukraine has introduced new legislation against homophobic hate speech. Replays of the pageant will be available to download for a limited time only. Byron Dragway's "Historic" Firecracker $100,000 Event still has entries available! The illusion worked well enough, but such makeovers would be considered underwhelming today. I love talented people who have their own unique take on the world and will do whatever I can to get them opportunities to shine.. Live shows often are booked by male promoters who may not appreciate drag king artistry. CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL DAY 5 RESULTS! bumpkin london closed. The kingdom has evolved into vivid colors and costumes and headpieces and glitter because thats how you stand out in a crowd. Especially, he said, when youre on a bill with a gag-worthy gaggle of 7-foot-tall drag queens. Saturday was an emotional roller coaster because when we were getting ready, I dont know if anyone knows this part yet, but there was a shooting outside of my dressing room. The Idaho Family Policy Center, a Conservative Christian group, said it would introduce a bill into the state legislature in January 2023 banning drag performances in public venues. Im currently in another competition which is worth another $10,000. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Denny Patterson is a St. Louis-based entertainment and lifestyle journalist. Feminist positions on drag vary as much as they do on trans rights). A $49 pass gets you an official program as well as access to a 30-minute after-party Q&A, while the $79 option includes a signed program in addition to after-party access. Covid made everyone have to go digital, said Tenderoni, who developed his act at Berlin, a club in Chicago. I started getting into it more when I was around 15 or 16, but Ive started narrowing down the collection of songs that I would want to release. Shortly after, Samuel spoke with i to describe what the threats against him have meant, in particular how the police have had to intervene. Size: 8.5 x 5.5In case you didn't get your tickets, these are filled with information about this years pageant! Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. Shania Twain, the 1990s country music chart topper, recently gushed about drag queens and claimed they "inspire" her in an interview with LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD. Year. The cry of drag opponents rests on an old lie: that gay men (in this case, those in dresses) pose a threat to children, to family life, and therefore to the decent foundations of Western society. says the actress.