Drag (clothing)

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Drag in its broadest sense means a costume or outfit, however drag usually refers particularly to clothing associated with with one gender when worn by a person of the other gender. The term originates in Polari, the language of gay men in England in the early part of the last century; "drag" simply meant "clothes." Someone wearing drag is said to be "in drag." The verb form is to "do drag." Drag is practiced by people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Drag in arts and entertainment

There is a long history of drag in the arts, particularly the performing arts. This history spans a wide range of cultural as well as artistic traditions, including music, theatre, and film.

For example, actors in Shakespeareean plays, and indeed in all plays in England in this period, were all male; female parts were played by young men in drag. Kabuki, the traditional theatre of Japan, has always featured drag. Originally kabuki troupes were all female; now they are all-male, and female roles are played by onnagata, actors who specialize in playing female roles. The Takarazuka theatre is a popular all-female troupe that specializes in putting on romantic plays. All male the roles are played by young women.

The world of popular music has a similarly venerable history of drag. Pop singers Boy George (of Culture Club) and Pete Burns of (Dead or Alive) frequently appear in a sort of semi-drag. In Japan there are several popular singers who always or usually appear in full or semi-drag.

On television, Dame Edna, the drag persona of Australian actor Barry Humphrey, is the host of several shows, including the Dame Edna Experience. Dame Edna also tours internationally, playing to sell-out crowds, and has appeared on TV's Ally McBeal.

Drag kings and queens

In gay slang, a "queen" is an effeminate gay man, or a gay man with a specified quality (e.g. "rice queen," for a gay man who prefers Asian men). Along with "drag," this term has entered the general lexicon.

Drag queens are usually, but not exclusively, gay men who dress in drag as part of a performance. Doing drag here often includes wearing makeup, wigs and prosthetic devices as part of the costume.

Female bodied persons who do drag are called Drag kings; however, drag king also has a much wider range of meanings.

See also: List of transgender-related topics