Drag Shows

What’s the big deal about drag shows?

Some states are trying to legally ban them. Drag Queen story time in Royal Oak was protested by Republicans. The Grand Haven Pride Festival plans to have one and protestors attend the City Council meeting.

First Ever Grand Haven Pride Festival

---

It happened without protest or violence. The turn out was impressive, see for yourself:

---

Straight vs Gay Drag

Cross dressing in the theater was a normal thing from ancient Greeks, through Shakespeare and into the 17th century. In modern media consider Dusty Hoffman in Tootsie (1982), Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). Both hilarious comedies with huge success featuring a man dressed as a women. On the feminine side consider Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria (1982), a woman dressed as a man pretending to be a woman. If that doesn’t mess with your gender identity, nothing will.

These brilliant performances were by and large accepted for what they are – entertainment, not indoctrination trying to sexualize your children. Something we hear now regarding just about everything.

Men in drag tend to be over-the-top parodies. Big wigs, outrageous gowns with lots of makeup. Most drag shows are a mixture of burlesque and comedy. The performers spend a lot of time and money on their routines and at least some demonstrate a real talent.

If the mention of drag shows sends you climbing up the nearest wall – despite the fact that you have probably never been to one, then let’s be honest for a moment (I promise I won’t tell). This is not about drag as much as about gay men doing drag. Just for a moment admit that you are a bigot about at least this one thing. You have your reasons, all well thought out and coherent to you. Being gay is a sin, the bible says so. Drag shows are a bad influence on kids, yada yada. Here is the problem the rest of the civilized world has with your logic:

It isn’t all about you!

Every person in this country and every person in Ottawa County has something they passionately dislike. For example, (1) televangelists. The great scam artists of the airwaves, milking money from poor families that can ill afford to give their money away. I could name, and so can you, (the Bakers, Bill Gothard, Jerry Fallwell …) those scammers who got rich and famous off the hard working, gullible, poor, in the name of Jesus. The idea that it is in the name of religion makes it doubly nefarious. (2) Yard signs. Please neighbor, I don’t need to know your religious, political or cultural views. Calling the governor an idiot, regardless of your political persuasion, is not a calling card you should be proud of. You get the idea…

The difference between most residents of Ottawa County and many of the Ottawa Impact inclined, is we recognize everyone’s right to have their own views. Yes, we have to put up with them because that is how our freedoms work. For me to have freedom, I must grant the same to others.

If you don’t like Drag Shows, then I would suggest that you not go to one. No one is grabbing kids off the street and forcing them to go to Drag Queen Story Hour. No one is mandating attendance at the drag show in the Waterfront Stadium. Don’t want your kids to see it, don’t take them. It really is that simple.