Drag a misunderstood art

Vancouver performers speak out on their art expression

hough the popular show

RuPaul’s Drag Race re-

vealed much about the

underground world of
drag, true drag culture remains
misunderstood by many and “raw
drag” culture will never be in main-
stream culture, according to one
local performer.

With a high concentration of
performers in the city, drag is a
huge part of the Vancouver night-
life. Yet even with the popularity
of the show, a resistance to male
femininity remains sticking points
for some people, said one perform-
er who calls themself Rogue when
in drag.

They said when people have
problems with drag, they usually
also have problems with femininity.

“People have an issue with men
putting on makeup and expressing
femininity,” said Rogue, who was
recently named by Vancouver Mag-

azine as one of the top 10 most in-
fluential drag performers in the city.

Another performer, who uses
the stage name Boss, said RuPaul’s
show is not inclusive of all drag.
Boss is a hyper-queen — which
refers to a woman dressing and per-
forming in the style of drag queens.

“There aren't a lot of female con-
testants on the show. I think that’s
something RuPaul has to work to-
wards,” said Boss, who added that
the entire queer community is not
fully represented in drag in general.

“I like to perform from the per-
spective of a lesbian because I don’t
think our stories are being told
enough,” Boss said.

Rogue said despite public interest
in mainstream drag, the raw drag at
your local bar is misunderstood.

“The drag you see in the main-
stream is very clean, pristine and
perfect,” Rogue said. “But raw
drag culture is like getting ready

al

ABOVE: Rogue prepares with their base makeup.

in the bathroom 30 minutes before
the show starts and your beard is
coming through.”

Local drag performer, Alma
Bitches, who started performing
drag nine years ago, said the crowds
at her shows are getting bigger and
more diverse.

She thinks drag culture has
changed in Vancouver in the last
few years because people are more
accepting and more willing to ex-
press themselves.

“There is more progress, people
have more awareness and represent
different demographics,” Bitches
said. “There is a lot more gender ex-
pression through drag and it’s a lot
more artistic.”

Yet the crowds are not always
there with realistic expectations,
Rogue said.

“The problem comes from the
crowds,” said Rogue, who began
their journey of drag while study-

BELOW: Colours are a major source of insipration for Rogue and this is reflected in their makeup and style.

ing at Langara about four years
ago. They were a design formation
student but they stayed true to their
interests in makeup.

‘They were also inspired by Ru-
Paul’s Drag Race.

“(The crowds] are used to the
glamourous side of RuPaul’s Drag
Race, but raw drag is local perform-
ers hustling to make a name for
themselves.”

Another Vancouver drag per-
former, Lamé, said that people may
feel uncomfortable with drag due
to a lack of understanding.

“Even if you don't know about it,
you can come to the show and try
to learn about drag. There might be
something that you might enjoy,”
said Lamé.

Drag is performed throughout
many clubs and bars in Vancouver,
with some venues even offering a
drag brunch where guests can en-

joy brunch and a drag show.

te

Rogue is a non-binai

performer which mez

they are not confined t

style of gender when pr

ing looks. This is one loc

Rogue's show that expres
that.