History Main / DragQueen

[[folder:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

[[folder:{{Literature}}]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'', hosted by the most [[Creator/RuPaul famous drag queen in the world]], has been credited with bringing drag performance out of the clubs and into the mainstream. Many queens who appear on the show go on to to have successful performing careers even if they didn't come close to winning their season. Even here on TV Tropes, it's no coincidence that the majority of queens with their own pages are former contestants.

* The Boulet Brothers' ''Series/{{Dragula}}'' is a reality competition show not unlike ''[=RuPaul=]'s Drag Race'' but it champions alternative drag performers who deal in the grotesque, horrifying, or just downright disgusting.

* ''Series/NoahsArc'': Alex, with Noah, Ricky and Chance as drag backup singers in one episode.
* One skit of ''Creator/MorecambeAndWise'' (in the 1975 ChristmasEpisode) involved Eric and Ernie dressed up as background dancers for ''Big Spender''.
* In one episode of ''Series/TeenWolf'', Scott and Stiles follow [[OurMonstersAreDifferent the kanima]] into a gay club, and Stiles is immediately surrounded by a group of drag queens. Three episodes later, he has apparently become friends with them and invites them to Lydia's birthday party.

* In an episode of ''Series/{{Bones}}'', the victim turns out to have been a drag queen performing at a club called Madame's Apple. The proprietor clarifies that the victim was straight, but the distinction isn't made for any of the other performers.
* In common with just about every other British comedian of the day, Creator/DickEmery's gallery of comic grotesques included two drag roles: "Hetty", the repressed spinster, and "Mandy", the easy-to-offend glamour girl. Mandy was an updated version of a drag act Emery played as part of a forces' entertainment troupe in [=WW2=] - "Vera", an over-the-top glam blonde who was a parody of Forces' sweetheart Vera Lynn.
* ''Series/HammerHouseOfHorror'': Tadek in the episode "The Carpathian Eagle".

* ''Series/KimsConvenience'': A drag queen named Therese visits the titular convenience store during Gay Pride Week and is offered the "gay discount" from Mr. Kim (who thinks Therese is a transwoman and that TransEqualsGay). Mr. Kim is confused by the concept of drag queens but is sincere when he asks Therese about it and wholeheartedly accepts his answer. Mr. Kim still offers him the discount, which Therese scoffs at but accepts anyways.
-->'''Mr. Kim''': Oh, you is man who dress like girl?\\
'''Therese''': A woman. Yeah. Why?\\
'''Mr. Kim''': Why you do like this?\\
'''Therese''': Oh, um, I don't know. It feels like me. Feels like home. Always has.
* In the ''Series/LawAndOrder'' episode "Deceit", Briscoe and Curtis are surprised when a female impersonator witness meets them in regular male clothes. He tells them, "I dress up for work just like you do."
* Most of the female characters in ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' are played by the regular male performers [[DisguisedInDrag made up in drag]], but not strictly Drag Queens since the characters are just meant to be ordinary women. However, once this is established, it is ZigZagged like everything else. In the "Ethel the Frog" sketch, we see an interview about the London gangster Dinsdale Piranha with who appears to be his girlfriend, Creator/JohnCleese in IncrediblyConspicuousDrag. Just when you think he is playing a regular female role, the interview concludes:
-->"Dinsdale was a gentleman. And what's more, he knew how to treat a female impersonator."
* ''Series/MyLifeIsMurder'': In "All That Glitters", Alexa's personal and professional lives collide when she investigates the death of a drag queen whose career was on the rise.
* ''Series/TheFabulousShowWithFayAndFluffy'' is hosted by the titular duo, who are both drag queens who entertain and educate kids.
* ''Series/{{Equal}}'': Many are featured, including with a gay ball staged in 1965. Harry Hay says in the 1920s being feminine, including by doing drag, was more common in gay circles than not.

[[folder:{{Theatre}}]]

[[folder:VideoGames]]

[[folder:WebAnimation]]

[[folder:WebComics]]

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]

[[folder:RealLife]]

* '''Camp Queens''' are your stereotypical caricatures of female fashion. This is where you get the UncannyValleyMakeup, outrageous costumes, GagBoobs, etc. Their performances tend to be more comedic. Cisgender women who perform as drag queens tend to fall under this category.

Many cultures around the globe have a theatre tradition of men dressing as women, such as the UK's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime_dame pantomime dames]], Japan's ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onnagata onnagata]]'', and Western comedians with a female persona like Barry Humphries (Dame Edna) and Tyler Perry (Madea). However, these are usually heterosexual men performing for general audiences, whereas ''drag'' performers are specific to LGBT+ culture, performing at {{gay bar}}s, [[PrideParade Pride festivals]], and other queer-centric events, and many take part in community activism outside of performing.

In some quarters, drag queens are subject to controversy; for example, conservative MoralGuardians frequently dislike the emerging phenomenon of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_Queen_Story_Hour Drag Queen Story Hour]], events at which drag queens entertain small children. Other criticisms come from feminists, who sometimes believe men performing as drag queens is demeaning to women -- that what it means is for male entertainers to "put on dresses, make up and high heels and act out every offensive stereotype of women (bitchy, catty, dumb, slutty, etc.)," to quote lesbian activist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Cheney Mary Cheney]]. The counterargument is that drag queens really subvert and deconstruct gender norms by making fun of traditional femininity, thus helping to free both men and women from stereotypical expectations. Creator/{{RuPaul}}, for instance, has said that he should not be assumed to be trying to emulate an actual woman, as scant few actual women routinely dress like drag queens (i.e. huge wigs, garish makeup, outrageous outfits, impractically high heels, etc.).

* The Arrancar Charlotte Chuhlhourne of ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', who faces off against resident [[{{Bishonen}} pretty boy]] Shinigami Yumichika Ayasegawa. He also cranks the drag factor up to eleven with [[http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t280/Warugaki88/13.jpg?t=1217052133 eye-searing]] [[http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/bagabondo/bleach/?action=view¤t=bleachchap321p2.jpg results]]. He fires ''heart-shaped'' Ceros/Doom Blasts.

* The role of Edna Turnblad in ''Theatre/{{Hairspray}}'' has traditionally been [[CrossCastRole played by a man]]. The original 80's film had Creator/DivineActor play the part, the stage musical's original cast had Creator/HarveyFierstein, and the 2007 film has Creator/JohnTravolta[[note]]In fact, Travolta was actually criticized for playing Edna in a traditionally feminine way, as Divine and Fierstein had played her in a campy way befitting the popular ideal of a drag queen[[/note]]. Divine was a regular in the works of Creator/JohnWaters until his death.

* The MusicVideo for "[[https://youtu.be/GemwsucYb9A Do it With Madonna]]" by The Androids has several drag queens dressed up as the performers mentioned in the lyrics, including Music/BritneySpears, Music/ChristinaAguilera, {{Music/Pink}}, Music/KylieMinogue and, of course, {{Music/Madonna}}.

* World of Wonder Presents ''Drag Tots'' about baby drag queens. Voiced by Drag Rage alumni including Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Detox, Latrice Royale and Valentina and of course RuPaul herself.

* At the Carnival in [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalst,_Belgium Aalst]], there are a lot of ''Voil Jeanetten'' [[note]]Loose translation: Dirty Fags; though it is not an insult[[/note]]. These are men dressed in drag, but with a lot of beer and some rather weird attributes - like umbrellas with rubber chickens and dead fish tied to them. And for those three days in the year, everyone finds it normal.

* The Dame in traditional British {{Pantomime}}. ("Her" actual name and role depends on the story, but there's always one character played as a comedy drag queen.)

* '''Camp Queens''' are your stereotypical caricatures of female fashion. This is where you get the UncannyValleyMakeup, outrageous costumes, GagBoobs, etc. Their performances tend to be more comedic. Cisgender women who perform girl-drag ("bio queens") tend to fall under this category.

In some quarters, drag queens are subject to controversy; for example, conservative MoralGuardians frequently dislike the emerging phenomenon of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_Queen_Story_Hour Drag Queen Story Hour]], events at which drag queens entertain small children. Other criticisms come from feminists, who sometimes believe men performing as drag queens is demeaning to women -- that what it means is for male entertainers to "put on dresses, make up and high heels and act out every offensive stereotype of women (bitchy, catty, dumb, slutty, etc.)," to quote lesbian activist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Cheney Mary Cheney]]. The counterargument is that drag queens really subvert and deconstruct gender norms by making fun of traditional femininity, thus helping to free both men and women from stereotypical expectations.

* ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'' features the Magypsies, who are described by Alec as neither man nor woman, and usually look like very feminine men, act in a feminine manner, and are referred to by both male and female pronouns.

* Creator/VerkaSerduchka

[[folder: Fan Works]]

[[folder: Podcasts]]

[[folder: Stand-Up Comedy]]

* Angel Dust from ''WebAnimation/HazbinHotel''.

* ''Film/{{Flawless}}'' (1999) features a drag queen named Rusty who sees himself as more of an artist than a drag queen.

* ''Film/TheAdventuresOfPriscillaQueenOfTheDesert Priscilla'' has Creator/HugoWeaving, Creator/GuyPearce, and Creator/TerenceStamp as a trio of drag queens traveling through Australia. However, Stamp's character is a UsefulNotes/{{transgender}} woman, not a gay man.
* The comic response to the above, ''Film/ToWongFooThanksForEverythingJulieNewmar'', starring Creator/PatrickSwayze, Creator/WesleySnipes, and Creator/JohnLeguizamo. Leguizamo is a comedy actor, but the other two are PlayingAgainstType so hard that the roles are arguably [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome CMOAs]]. Also, the drag queen background characters in the two pageant scenes are played by [[CastTheExpert actual drag queens]], including Lady Bunny, Coco Peru, and obviously [=RuPaul=].

* RuPaul. 'Nuff said.

* Many of the queens who appear on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' released singles either before or after the show.

* The role of Edna Turnblad in ''Theatre/{{Hairspray}}'' has traditionally been [[CrossCastRole played by a man]]. The original 80's film had Creator/DivineActor play the part, the stage musical's original cast had Harvey Fierstein, and the 2007 film has Creator/JohnTravolta[[note]]In fact, Travolta was actually criticized for playing Edna in a traditionally feminine way, as Divine and Fierstein had played her in a campy way befitting the popular ideal of a drag queen[[/note]]. Divine was a regular in the works of Creator/JohnWaters until his death.

* Sunset Boulevard of ''Series/TheLWord'' was rare straight example of a drag queen.

Many cultures around the globe have a theatre tradition of men dressing as women, such as the UK's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime_dame pantomime dames]], Japan's ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onnagata onnagata]]'', and Western comedians with a female persona like Barry Humphries (Dame Edna) and Tyler Perry (Madea). However, these are usually heterosexual men performing for general audiences, whereas ''drag'' artists are specific to LGBT+ culture, performing at {{gay bar}}s, [[PrideParade Pride festivals]], and other queer-centric events, and many take part in community activism outside of performing.

* ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'', hosted by the most [[Creator/RuPaul famous drag queen in the world]], has been credited with bringing drag performance out of the clubs and into the mainstream. Many queens who appear on the show go on to to have successful performing careers even if they didn't come close to winning their season. Even here on TV Tropes, the majority of drag queens with their own pages are former contestants.

Drag queens are--in most cases--men who dress as women to entertain (though being male isn't strictly necessary to be a drag queen, as cisgender women, transgender women, and nonbinary people can perform female drag as well). Unlike UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} women and {{Crossdresser}}s, men who are drag queens wear women's clothing only on special occasions. They are usually CampGay men who sometimes like to get that little bit more flamboyant by dressing up as a tornado that's just rushed through a mountain of candyfloss and glitter. They can get dolled up for a variety of reasons: paid entertainers, runway models, cosplayers, etc. Many a GayBar features drag queens as regular performers, though a select few have gone on to mainstream success as well.

Male drag queens on TV are sometimes used for the [[UnsettlingGenderReveal "straight man comes on to a girl in a bar... but she's not a girl!"]] joke. A popular variation on this will have the straight man remain [[AttractiveBentGender completely oblivious]] to the fact that he's copping off with a "man" until the last possible moment. However, in more recent years this joke uses UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} women instead (although if the writer is suitably ignorant and/or bigoted [[TransEqualsGay they may not care about the distinction]]), since they tend to dress up in actual women's clothing, and expect/hope to be treated as a woman. In comparison, drag queens are usually clad in a stylized and outlandish parody of femininity. It's also common for women to comment on how much they wish they had the queen's [[ShesGotLegs legs]].

Drag queens on TV are usually sharp-tongued and witty, matching the stage personas of real-life professional stage performers. They may provide the main character with world-weary advice or help put forward a "just be yourself" {{A|nAesop}}esop.

The [[DistaffCounterpart Distaff (ahem) Counterpart]] is the Drag King -- most often a woman, usually a lesbian, performing masculinity with levels of exaggeration similar to a Drag Queen. They'll bind their breasts ([[PetitePride if necessary]]), pencil in or glue on a beard, and either keep their hair short or cover it under a hat. And then stuff a sock in their pants. Kings often go for a dapper, thuggish, or rocker persona.

Some drag performers also happen to be UsefulNotes/{{transgender}}, but one doesn't indicate the other. Those who are will still ham it up in their performances. Opinions vary regarding how inclusive the drag scene should be (some drag pageants require contestants not take hormones or undergo any kind of feminizing surgery), but as ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'' contestant Monica Beverly Hillz put it, "Trans is who I am, drag is what I do." Also, many queens who aren't trans may still identify as non-binary, so one shouldn't assume it's either-or.

* A StealthPun in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited''. During the "Epilogue" episode, as Amanda Waller is recounting the League's last tussle with the Royal Flush Gang, the new Queen, whose make up suspiciously resembled Divine's, turned out to be a ''man'' (who also resembled Divine in his clean-face, masculine look).

* '''Genderfuck Queens''' blend masculine and feminine elements to completely fuck what we know as gender. [[GirlsWithMustaches Beards]], body hair, [[BaldWomen baldness]], toplessness, masculine attire with feminine makeup, and so on. Avant-garde fashion and androgyny are their game.

* Creator/{{RuPaul}} Andre Charles is the most famous drag queen in North America. His [=RuPaul=] persona became famous in TheNineties for being very approachable...if [[ScaryBlackMan scarily tall]], standing at 6'4 ''before'' factoring in the platform heels and big hair. She has released albums and hosted talk shows, and has lately been in the spotlight for the reality show ''Series/RupaulsDragRace'', [[JustForFun/XMeetsY essentially]] ''Series/AmericasNextTopModel'' meets ''Series/ProjectRunway'' meets ''Series/AmericanIdol'' with gender-bending.

Drag queens are--in most cases--men who dress as women to entertain[[note]]Being male isn't strictly necessary as cisgender women, transgender women, and nonbinary people can perform female drag as well[[/note]]. Unlike UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} women and {{Crossdresser}}s, men who are drag queens wear women's clothing only on special occasions. They are usually CampGay men who sometimes like to get that little bit more flamboyant by dressing up as a tornado that's just rushed through a mountain of candyfloss and glitter. They can get dolled up for a variety of reasons: paid entertainers, runway models, cosplayers, etc. Many a GayBar features drag queens as regular performers, though a select few have gone on to mainstream success as well.

Male drag queens on TV are sometimes used for the [[UnsettlingGenderReveal "straight man comes on to a girl in a bar... but she's not a girl!"]] joke. A popular variation on this will have the straight man remain [[AttractiveBentGender completely oblivious]] to the fact that he's copping off with a "man" until the last possible moment. However, in more recent years this joke uses UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} women instead (although if the writer is suitably ignorant and/or bigoted [[TransEqualsGay they may not care about the distinction]]), since they tend to dress up in actual women's clothing, and expect/hope to be treated as a woman. [[CaptainObvious And as stated, aren't men.]] In comparison, drag queens are usually clad in a stylized and outlandish parody of femininity. It's also common for women to comment on how much they wish they had the queen's [[ShesGotLegs legs]].