What a Drag…

 

*To all who may not be interested in drag queens, stop here! But if you can open your heart and mind to the next few paragraphs, keep reading!

 

In June, Katie and I went to Nashville and spent an evening on the Drag Queen Bus. I’m always up for an adventure and Katie has never led me astray, so off we went. It was 90 minutes of pure fun and I am so glad we did it. The “queens” were excellent entertainers and at no point did anything to make any of the guests uncomfortable. They definitely respected their audience and kept the party going! Every single person had a great time and we hated for the trip to end.

Last week at my modeling session, there was a drag queen participating and I became friends with her on Facebook. We had a good conversation about the Catholic Church and I would have loved to have an opportunity to share this conversation further. I have no doubt that some day, we will.

In Pittsburgh, before Katie’s boys were born, she talked about the Drag Queen story time at the public library and how she couldn’t wait to take her children there some day. Fast forward three years and sadly, they have not been able to hold these special events because of the threats of violence against the libraries, putting patrons at risk…especially children.

Most of you know, Katie is in the arts, so she is around all types of talented people. Her role at her job is one of inclusiveness and she practices what she preaches. She has helped me to be open to all people as well…I’ve been learning over the years and bottom line for me is letting everyone be who they are.

I do not pretend to understand the life of a drag queen, but in my world, I know no drag queens who are hurting people. The drag queens I have met are not endangering children and they are not sexualizing story time at the library. I believe that I am correct saying that children (under 18) are not allowed at drag shows and adults who attend, should know what they are going to be seeing. It’s entertainment.

Drag shows are not recruiting events. They are providing entertainment. They enjoy what they do and they make money. Some are gorgeous and some are just pretty or unique, but they spend a lot of time and money doing their thing. Just like you and me, we do our things.

I decided to write about this because so many states are trying to get drag queens banned from their cities and setting parameters that do not seem right. I don’t think the average Jane or Joe cares about whether or not a drag show happens. Many choose not to go to these shows, but for those of us who do go, we are entertained. Not converted or sexualized, just entertained. We have free will and can make the decision on what to do.

I read this week that a Pet Rescue place in Pittsburgh is being boycotted because they put a “save the date” out for their Drag Queen BINGO fundraiser in October. The Facebook page was full of hate and nastiness for the rescue business. This event has taken place for a few years, so I’m not sure why this year was any different, except that the overall attitude towards Drag Queens has changed.  I went to a Drag Queen BINGO in Cincinnati and had a blast! There were men and women in the audience, prizes for men and women, lots of food & drink, and the event was sold out!

We are all different, thankfully. What a boring place it would be if we were the same. I know that I’m full-figured and I know I am judged and quite honestly, when I was younger, it was painful at times. I know I need to do better, but I’m me and I’m grateful that I can be me. After a certain age, you learn not to let those judgy people bother you!

Can you imagine if you couldn’t be who you really are, inside or out? Again, I don’t understand it all. The drag queen thing is entertaining and I have come to enjoy it. The transgender world is still a mystery to me but I know more than I used to and I continue to learn. I'm also still working on my understanding of pronouns...I have a long way to go with that.

I’ve always been part of the majority, using “normal” as a very loose term. I certainly wouldn’t call myself normal, but I am a text book female. I’m not in the field of telling people who they are or that they are wrong. I’m learning to let people be who they are. As long as you are kind, aren’t hurting yourself or others, then you are “normal” enough for me.

I’m not trying to convert anyone, but I hope you can be more tolerant, less judgey about Drag Queens. We are all human beings…we just come in all types!!  xoxox