It is that blurring that makes people confused. Drag queens will generally be heard talking about upcoming shows, crossdressers talking about clothes and shopping, and transsexuals talking about work, hobbies, and boyfriends the same as GGs would discuss. The problem is that the cis public is erroenously led to believe that it is all the same. This confusion is often primarily caused by the drag queens.

I have said this before but I will say it again - if someone takes one person as defining another person purely based on a common trait, theme, or possible similar situation, then it is the fault of the observer not the offender.

I believe we should all be able to do what we like. Some people like drag, some people like to be in drag. Let them do so. If an onlooker sees them as somehow bad and then uses that against trans people, it is not the fault of the dragster at all.

Similarly if they want to identify as "->-bleeped-<-" I say let them. It is just a label



If it is confusing then the answer is education, NOT to take away the thing causing the confusion.

I don't think that drag performers directly or intentionally cause the confusion.  I think the confusion is the result of people not having much exposure to drag queens, or cross dressers, or people who are openly transexual, or anyone who crosses gender boundaries in any obvious way.  It's not the public's fault either.  People can't be expected to be knowledgeable about things they rarely encounter.  There will inevitably be confusion about trans-related issues because we're such a small minority of the population, and accurate information about us is hard to come by unless you make the effort to seek it out.

Anyway, I like drag.  I don't think it's meant to be taken too seriously.  It's just a parody of gender, some light-hearted entertainment.  When I was younger, drag made me more comfortable about exploring my own gender identity.  And I know it's had the same effect on other people too.  In college, I had a classmate who came out as MTF after attending the annual Drag Ball.  She said that having an opportunity to present as female in public in a setting where it would not be seen as weird gave her the confidence to come out, and then transition.  It had a similar kind of affect on me.  So it's not all bad.

Personally I do not like it.    I did sing one time in a show where the performers were all supposed to be transgendered girls.   Contrary to what I was told, the rest of the acts were very draggy, meaning way overdone makeup, sexual flaunting, lots of feathers, and skimpy clothes.  You know the scene.  I sang second, though, did a very serious song, got a standing O and did an encore.   Had I known what it was like I would not have done it.  When someone told me I was a very pretty and natural drag queen I was infuriated.  Not his fault, now that I look back on it.  It was mine.  I should have asked more questions.  I felt dirty and degraded, like my identity had been assaulted.  But I learned well what I was comfortable with and what I was not.  Now I have nothing against those who wish to perform this way.  It is just not for me.

I have mixed feelings. However, as I am now transitioning, I have more worries about the fact that it perpetuates the wrong knowledge upon those who don't understand gender dysphoria!

Drag?

Not my scene.  Can't get into it.  Never could.

I believe in a live-and-let-live philosophy.  People want to do drag?  Cool!  Just keep me out of it.  I won't bother them if they don't bother me.  Who am I to say them nay?  To each their own. 

I have several friends who perform in drag shows, and I have always seen it as just them having fun by dressing up and dancing.  I don't see the harm in it at all.  They are both gay men who enjoy dressing as women, and I see this as being completely different from MtF people dressing up.

I've never been to one ^.^ But I imagine it could be a lot of fun, perhaps a little bit discomforting, but I would still try to enjoy myself.

Quote from: Dee_pntx on September 27, 2010, 02:17:27 PM

Yes they are.  VERY different.

What pisses me off is that the cis world does not see, recognize, understand or CARE that there is a distinct difference and they lump us all into the same group.

I'll be damned if Ru Paul, a gay MAN, is going to be a spokesperson for me or represent my position in the world.

I have nothing against gay people, men or DQ's.  Just don't lump me in those groups, I don't belong there.

Dee, most people don't know the difference. They lump us into the same group without ever researching to find out what the diference is.

Gennee

QuoteWhat pisses me off is that the cis world does not see, recognize, understand or CARE that there is a distinct difference and they lump us all into the same group.

Very true - an online acquaintance found out about my problem the other day and was like "ooh! I know a good help site for that!" with the best of intentions. It was a site for coming out and such... for young gay boys. I blame "LGBT" for that!