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Drag Drama Don'ts

Being The "Baby" in An "Adult" Drag World

By Jeremy JettPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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I am not new to the performing arts. I have been in several plays growing up as well as band and chorus throughout my high school years. I remember putting on “shows” for friends and relatives growing up, often dressing up to the tens and putting on elaborate performances. I did tap, jazz, and ballet for ten years and enjoyed every shining moment. Though I am not new to the performance scene, I am, however, new to the drag scene. And alongside with that comes many new, well, problems.

My drag career started in April 2017 . . . almost a year next month! I have performed several shows after that impromptu performance at a local gay bar and enjoyed every waking second. Even the stressful, frustrated, overexerted times. I was surrounded by drag family, friends, my boyfriend, and people who I now very passionately call my family.

But alongside all of that, I have seen countless downfalls in the midst of joys. I have seen drama after drama, name calling after name calling, pointless live videos for nothing other than to boost ego and drag (no pun intended) others down for their hard work and credibility. I have seen performers who have only been in the business and enjoyment for a year drop away under the pressure. And I have seen performers who’d given their ALL for the last three to ten or more years also fade away because of people who don’t have common decency or manners.

Maybe I’m an old soul at heart, but shouldn’t we as a community be bringing each other up rather than down? Shouldn’t we embrace the art and passion of performing drag instead of the “he said, she said, they said, and this week happened to this person” and so on? Shouldn’t we be tuning down the drama and turning up the excitement and thrill of performing? Shouldn’t we, as human beings, shunned already by the world around us for speaking our minds and being who we are do nothing but encourage and support one another, in everything and anything we do?

Sure, some lines may get crossed and I am not one to knock that out from anyone. There’s always two sides to every story, but in the end, stories get lost and forgotten and new chapters can arise. Shouldn’t we . . . as performers and entertainers of the LGBT community see that? And embrace companionship, unity, and support?

There’s too much drama surrounding the drag scene both on screen and in our own personal lives. I, myself, can very much speak from experience over the last year and it has very nearly caused me to think twice about engaging in the spectacle that I have come to adore and embrace. That side of myself that I can be comfortable with and show the world while entertaining the crowds and loving myself, having a good time away from my everyday stress of life.

Don’t become a problem within the solution. Don’t go looking for receipts and clues for someone you dislike just because you’re bored and you dislike them. Have self-respect, and respect for others who are in the same playing field as you are. Have etiquette and poise. Don’t be a drag drama starter, but instead love and support and uphold one another. The world is already an ugly place; don’t make it any uglier by splattering your can of dark paint all over the vibrant colors of the community you live in. We all want to be accepted. How about we start it from the inside out?

lgbtq
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About the Creator

Jeremy Jett

A tired, disabled trans cat dad who wants more tattoos & never has enough coffee. I write sometimes.

twitter: twitter.com/catnip_coffee

ao3: archiveofourown.org/users/lordbatty

instagram: instagram.com/catnip_coffee/

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