In defence of drag

Remember these phrases: “You can’t … You should … When I was your age … Why don’t you … You had it easy …”? You know the comments, the ones that preface a whinge or a moan about something or other, usually out of your control.

Over the years I have heard them all and, to be honest, there was a time when I tried to take all these disguised criticisms on board in the hope of becoming a better performer.

When you’re in the public eye you get to hear the many and varied views of the community. Some you agree with, some you don’t – but you treat them all as valid. I firmly believe in listening to the opinions of others – regardless of how it sits with your own beliefs. It is the passion of the argument or debate that is absorbed into your soul.

And my love for the gay and lesbian community – because it is such a collection of individuals and groups with wide and varying beliefs – continues to grow as I hear these opinions because they are valid and deserve recognition.

At the moment there seem to be a couple of debates raging on the scene.

Dancing boys vs drag queens: I love looking at boys and spent many years perving at Chris Pinder from the Albury. But there are several reasons why there aren’t too many boys in shows. In short, money is an issue and there is never enough of it to go around – and how many of you would work for nothing? Then there’s the cold hard fact that any boy in a show is – wrongly – considered open game for some of the punters and that can make life particularly difficult.

Drag is boring: I fear we may have been spoiled. The standard of drag shows in Sydney stands above all others. Unfortunately our expectations are growing at a rate that far outstrips the ability of the drag community to continue to invent and imagine. Plus, there’s a plethora of shows and drag alternatives around these days, making decisions for those in search of entertainment even more overwhelming – think Bingay, karaoke, crab racing and pool competitions.

I just don’t like drag: Hey, if this is your true feeling then fair enough, you’re entitled to it. But that doesn’t mean, if you are not a fan, that you should sit at the front and heckle the performers night after night with insults and criticism. If you don’t like the show, go to another part of the hotel and do something else – but don’t spoil it for the rest of us.

I don’t consider myself a representative of the community, but rather a member of a community that allows me the freedom to entertain as I please. But that doesn’t make me or my fellow divas willing targets in the constant battle of bitch one-upmanship at a club.

Remember, just like everyone else in this world, drag queens can’t please everybody – all we can do is our best and expect a little respect and consideration from those who don’t care for what we do.