Drag Kings/Drag Queens: Has Performance helped you find yourself?

[Lost_punk_boi]

So, I looked through the first page and didn't see any threads about this topic so I thought I'd bring it up and ask... If there is a thread and anyone wants to link it that's all good too as long as you let me know where it went so I don't get lost....

I have been a male impersonator for the past five and a half years and was doing it in the beginning as a coping mechanism to deal with my identity. When I first started out I didn't know anything about transgenderism or anything of that nature. It took me years to realize that I'm not alone, BUT I've kinda been getting crap and people have been asking me why I do it now since I consider myself male... I'm constantly chalking it up to ignorance in the community, but does anyone else have to deal with this sort of stuff?

Is anyone else a male or female impersonator that identifies like me?

[Lost_punk_boi]

Good point although here in Springfield they consider that an insult also, but that could just be my area!

[Turtle]

Hey Lost Punk Boi - Welcome aboard.

I think about doing a show someday...I'm on the shy side....and workin on it.

And - to the larger quetion about getting crap from other people for how one IDs and/or what one does. To go to the huge picture, life is about learning and we are all in different places on the continuum - knowing this/not knowing that. And much of what we think about what someone else is doing is based on our prior exeriences.

Talking about what we do and why we do it broadens our minds as to how other people think and why we do the things we do (or don't do). Alone the way, hopefully, we learn more and judge less.

And hopefully - that all doesn't sound too pompous.

And I've done different things at different times in my life trying to figure out who I am, how I'm going to be in the world, and trying to heal from past experiences - and not always knowing that at the time.

It's always interesting.

[WingsOnFire]

Hi Frankie, being that I too live in the bible belt of MO I totally understand what you mean. I have known several Drag Kings who perform here and I personally loved that they could express themselves for who they are even though not everyone would treat them with respect and dignity.

I met my Sir who is FTM 2 years ago and have faded into the background of the gay community here as I did not feel acceptance from many of my lesbian friends. To me if you cant love me for who I am I dont have time to give you to make me feel bad about who I am.

I would be interested to know how performing has helped YOU in this community. Welcome to the Planet.

Becca

[DamonK]

I've a friend from work who would perform drag. He always had the best time. Tried getting to go often... but being here, haven't exactly felt safe enough to go to clubs.

Btw, I'm MBE's other half.

I have friends back home in TX that did drag all the time and it helped them come to terms with their identities and how to best "pass." It also raised self esteem tremendously.

Time to get ready for work.

[Lost_punk_boi]

Well, I've been in Springfield since I was 16. I was first introduced to female impersonating at 18 and saw my first male impersonaters at 21 that were such inspirations to me I just had to try it. I did and I loved it!! I will admit there have been some times when I have contemplating giving it up, but it hasn't happened yet and nor do I EVER want to.

I enjoy the entertainers and am normally out at the Edge or Latin Vibe rooting for them. On April 1st I spent about 25 or so just on tips alone.

Why do you not feel safe here? Have you just not met many people that go or is it something else? I have been known to walk to and from the bar at times.

Gotta go time for hanging out with friends!

[iamkeri1]

I was in my thirties before I saw my first Drag King. I was so psyched!
Thanks for your work and for all the fun I have had watching your "brothers"
Smooches,
Keri

[Lost_punk_boi]

Kings are amazing!!! I'm sooo looking forward to being able to youtube my numbers on here so ya'll can see just how much fun it is!!

[Quintease]

All of the Drag Kings I've known have been lesbian so far, but not any particular type of lesbian, they've just been performers. While I know a couple of transboys who perform, I haven't known any who do drag.. or didn't know. A friend of mine who's been a lesbian performer for years and has dated a series of drag kings, is now dating an FTM drag king. He even has video's on Facebook and possibly Youtube. Like you he started performing before his transition.

I know some people don't feel like Transboys should be drag kings. How can someone male impersonate a male? But then why not? Straight men impersonate gay boys, camp boys, geeks, drag queens, nerds, Elvis, red necks, Rocky, gay male porn stars and sportsmen all the time and no one ever says anything. And if we're going to pull the gender card on Kings, should we focus our beady eyes on Queens, as I've known a few who were performing as female impersonators while in the midst of a transition

Kings and Queens and ballerinos are all just there for our entertainment. Like doctors, nurses and the person who drives the ambulance, their gender is (mostly) irrelevant.

[wolfbittenpoet]

Drag is art. All forms of art are dances with ones soul. It is a struggle. All finding of identification is a struggle. So when I first started finding myself I used drag as a focus. Up on stage you are judged for your performance not for your self expression. Now I don't do drag because of time constraints but if I got up on stage I would still be a drag king. It is a performance piece. It is no different then any actor. The best drag kings I know are either ftms who have transitioned or are transitioning not because they are men but because they are willing to go overtop hypermasculize a performance and lose themselves in it. The same applies with the best queens I know.

[Jaques]

Im a transguy who has been a dragking, semi professionally and yes it did help with my "journey" - I dont perform anymore, as for me, drag is a performance, an "illusion" but the male impersonator in my case became just a regular guy.............

[Lost_punk_boi]

I had my first show back on May 13th and it was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O... M... G!!! I rocked the house and did good and kept out of the drama! Unfortunately here in Springfield drag = drama. I know of several queens that have or are transitioning and they don't get any hate that I've heard of, but I've heard about it from lesbians to me because I am. I've tried pointing out to them about several past title holders that are ftms, but they fringe ignorance and say that they have never heard of such guys!

Who hasn't heard of Amadeaus (Spelling?) York (Mr. USofA FMI 2010) that has been to a shit load of pageants! Who hasn't heard of Gage Gatlyn (former Mr. USofA 200?)! Those are just two examples of the famous ftms I've met that if you know your drag in the area you've met them or have heard of them before!