The Telegraph
Every Englishman – even the CEO of Barclays – has the right to cross-dress
Banning drag ignores what an ancient tradition it is.
By Max Davidson | 7:30AM GMT 23 Feb 2012
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On a roller: TV comedian Les Dawson in cross-dressing mode Photo: REX
Is Exeter not in England? I ask because students at Exeter University have been asked not to dress in drag – an ancient and honourable tradition that is almost as English as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
The university's Students' Guild, which has issued the edict, argues that cross-dressing is as offensive to transgendered people as blacking up is to black people. It is worth thinking about, but it still seems an awfully puritanical attitude, outlawing much innocent fun and flying in the face of centuries of history.