Is "drag queen" rude?

[Constance]

And before anyone asks, Yes, I have attempted to research this on my own. This is not a bubba question.

I've heard lately that the term "drag queen" is considered to be rude, even by local drag performers. Yet, I've not been able to determine why. Is this something that's unique to the SF Bay Area scene, or is it more widespread than that?

I'm curious as to why this term is offensive. There isn't anything in the Wiki here are Susan's about the term itself being considered offensive, and I can't find other sources either. I've just heard recently that it's not the polite term.

Thoughts, anyone?

[Nero]

In my area, they actually like being referred to as 'queens', so no I don't think it's rude. It's only rude if an individual expresses dislike for the term and people persist.

[mickie88]

i'm not one and don't know any professionals, but i do find the term offensive, especially since i live in ohio and surrounded by idiots. so i feel they oh transsexual and drag queen = the same thing and they by far are too different things. if they are putting on a show, i prefer they use the term female impersonator.

my .02 =D

Warrior Princess Mickie

[flutter]

The queen's I've known are proud of the phrase.

But, Drag Queen, Transsexual and Transvestites are all very distinct groups.

If you call me a Drag Queen, I'll probably laugh at you first, and then slap you a few seconds later, because it is a denial of my feminine identity, essentially saying that it's an impersonation.

So, it depends who you're saying it to.

I also know some of them prefer Gender Illusionist, Drag Performer, Female Impersonator...etc...

[joannatsf]

And before anyone asks, Yes, I have attempted to research this on my own. This is not a bubba question.

I've heard lately that the term "drag queen" is considered to be rude, even by local drag performers. Yet, I've not been able to determine why. Is this something that's unique to the SF Bay Area scene, or is it more widespread than that?

I'm curious as to why this term is offensive. There isn't anything in the Wiki here are Susan's about the term itself being considered offensive, and I can't find other sources either. I've just heard recently that it's not the polite term.

Thoughts, anyone?

I think it depends on who you're talking to.  I doubt Peaches Christ or any of the Sisters would take offense but I would be wary of using it on a performer at Divas.

[Constance]

I think it depends on who you're talking to.  I doubt Peaches Christ or any of the Sisters would take offense but I would be wary of using it on a performer at Divas.

Diva's is where my wife first heard the term was unacceptable.

[joannatsf]

I think it depends on who you're talking to.  I doubt Peaches Christ or any of the Sisters would take offense but I would be wary of using it on a performer at Divas.

Diva's is where my wife first heard the term was unacceptable.

Divas is not really a drag show as I understand it.  It's more exotic dance and the performers have had a lot of work done, including FFS and implants.  I'm not sure what the consider themselves to be but Kira on the T Word perhaps said it best, "Girl, you're never gonna make any money with your dingly-dangly chopped off!".

[tekla]

Yeah, Diva's is a pro bar, it full of people who are selling it one way or the other, on the other hand >-bleeped-<shack seemed to love the term.

If you perform in such a way, and your entourage is more than two others, you may call yourself such.

[Ellieka]

In my research of transsexualism and my own feelings I have found the term "Drag Queen" offensive because of the stereotypical stigma attached to it. That is that when main stream people hear "Drag Queen" it conjures up images of a flamboyantly dressed and over made up person masquerading as the opposite gender then they were at birth. Most trans people fear and even resent being "read" or "clocked" as any thing other then what they wish to be perceived as. Another term that I find highly offensive is "Lady Boy". Makes me wanna climb a telephone pole and lick the wire!

Some other terms that used in other cultures that may or may not be offensive are:

Fafafini or Fafafine, which is used in Samoan culture.
Newhalf, used in Japan and frequently used to describe an intersexed persons in Futanari, a type of anime pron but often times used to refer to a transgendered person.

[Rachael]

yes... but there ARE drag queens.... drag quee: gay man who impersonates a woman for giggles mostly... usually if not always on stage... its an ACT.

Before more get confused, this isnt the term alone being used against transsexuals... i dont know what these guys want to be called? 'professional gender frontiersmen'?

[Ellieka]

Quite right. In deed there are Drag Queens that do it for the shock and entertainment value. I came across this on youtube and found it very entertaining.

[Autumn]

It's a specific demographic to me, the gay and/or performance group. It's not about passing or being a woman.

If someone called me a drag queen I'd be pretty confused. As would they have to be.

I pretty much hate trying to find labels to use on myself. I really find the phrase cross dresser to be obnoxious. It's got such baggage and it's clumsy and with GID it isn't really accurate anyway. When friends tell me that I could or should come to an event in drag I just yell 'BE SPECIFIC.' Though I'm writing this wearing one of my few remaining mens' shirts because it was really cold today and I didn't want to dirty a shirt I liked.

Recently I've used the word transvestite a couple of times. I'm not sure why. It's not accurate either.

I pretty much hate all the terms, really.

[Ellieka]

I pretty much hate all the terms, really.

How about Ma'am or Miss. I like those, they fit nicely.

[Truth Seeker]

I think that the general understanding of the term drag queen does possess a certain theatrical stigma. It does undeniably inspire the preconception of a particular flamboyant stereotype, the needlessely glittery, big-haired androgenous performer comes to mind, singing some cliche song like "it's raining men" and acting overly homoerotic.

Frankly, I wouldn't think that either a transvestite or a crossdresser would like to be associated with that. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but everything has a place. Drag queens are drag queens, for regular crossdressers what's wrong with a simple descriptive term like crossdresser? I don't see a need for something more suggestive than that.


Truth Seeker

[Kelley Jo]

Unless she's a performance artist, yes, I think it would be rude. Cross dresser would be the best term.

[gina]

if they are putting on a show, i prefer they use the term female impersonator.



Warrior Princess Mickie

Yes,  Female impersonator is alot more comfortable term for everyone.   

gina

[Rachael]

Unless she's a performance artist, yes, I think it would be rude. Cross dresser would be the best term.

he surely?

As for all this 'female impersonator' stuff, whats WRONG with drag queen? the gay community like it, its used to describe gay men who dress up for shows... its not refering to transwomen or crossdressers... cant we maybe jump off the PC bandwaggon for a moment to see if the people it refers to give a damn?

[Constance]

Unless she's a performance artist, yes, I think it would be rude. Cross dresser would be the best term.

he surely?

As for all this 'female impersonator' stuff, whats WRONG with drag queen? the gay community like it, its used to describe gay men who dress up for shows... its not refering to transwomen or crossdressers... cant we maybe jump off the PC bandwaggon for a moment to see if the people it refers to give a damn?

What I've encountered is that some of the people to whom the phrase "drag queen" refers do indeed give a damn, hence this thread.

But to avoid asking a "bubba question" of those who object to the term, I asked the question here.

[Ellieka]

I guess it largely depends on the person being talked about. I personally wold probably hit some one with a brick laden purse for calling me a drag queen. But if some one likes to be addressed as one then by all means do so.

I guess its kind of like me being a computer/technology enthusiast, I don't mind being called a geek while others in my field may find that offensive.

[Rachael]

Sorry, but a gay man on stage dressed as a woman = dragqueen... if they dont like the title... dont do the act...