Despite drag kings being as iconic and loveable as their queen counterparts, there seems to be a large disparity in their popularity. Is this solely due to a lack of media representation? Or are there deeper issues at work?
Although drag isn’t a new concept, it is being popularised in a way completely unlike the past. Shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race (airing since 2009) have brought about great popularity and a new-found love for drag queens. This has often even enabled them to reach celebrity status… but the same can’t be said for drag kings. Despite them both playing on the same concept, there appears to be a large disparity in the media representation and demand for drag kings; I want to explore why.
Drag and Social Issues
Drag is often used to comment on social issues through various drag personas and performances, often touching on issues such as gender norms and heteronormativity, as well as others. This transgressive action highlights the flaws in the rigid binary system through the exaggeration of normalised traits and expectations related to varying characteristics of gender, sexuality, etc.
Drag Kings
https://www.instagram.com/sigimoonlight/?hl=en
Drag King Sigi Moonlight described the performance of hegemonic masculinity through drag as “playing with masculine identities, masculine performativity, whether that’s politicising it, vulgarising it… [or] making it silly”. Through their performances of exaggerated gender characteristics, drag artists are able to resist gender structure and heteronormativity, defying social norms of gender using a “theatrical performance” which undermines the normative categories and associations of gender and sexuality.
https://www.instagram.com/kingmolasses/?hl=en
Many drag kings have spoken about getting into drag, not to “look like a man” but to “feel liberated from other peoples expectations and systems of oppression”. Drag is often used as a way of expressing their identities more fully, allowing them to feel more confident and in control through the use of more hegemonically masculine traits.
https://www.instagram.com/spikey_van_dykey/?hl=en
“When im wearing Spikey I feel invincible” – Spikey Van Dykey
https://www.instagram.com/richardvonwild/?hl=en
“As soon as I get to put on a beard, tape my boobs down, put a package between my legs, I am able to become someone I have always wanted to be.” – Richard Von Wild
https://www.instagram.com/adamall_drag/
https://www.instagram.com/mrmobdick/?hl=en
Drag kings often perform in a way which exaggerates the characteristics of hegemonic masculinity, regardless of gender outside of drag. Drag king Mo B. Dick describes this concept as drag kings “usurping male power and privilege”, something which stirs discomfort in many due to the dominance of male power still present in society today.
Drag highlights the fluidity of gender with it being used as a “conceptual [tool]” to deconstruct gender identity. Drag kings are able to defy the patriarchal underpinnings of society, “taking up space in platforms that have previously been occupied by cis men”, putting a spotlight on the performativity of gender. Drag kings are different from drag queens, not just due to the gender they perform or their history, but because their performance is encroaching on masculinity, often from a less privileged, less powerful position.
How do I support local drag kings?
While drag kings are gaining some popularity – shown through their increasing wins at drag competitions (see House of Drag NZ, 2018; Dragula, 2019; Drag Queen of the Year Pageant, 2021) – there is still large disparity in their representation at drag shows and in the media; something we have to rectify. Here are a few ways to help support drag kings, locally and globally!
Locally:
- Ask about drag kings at drag shows
- Go to support them when they are performing
- Search for local drag king groups
Globally:
- Follow them on social media
- Follow drag king hashtags to stay updated on new, up-and-coming drag kings
- Watch shows drag kings have participated in (and won!) (see above)