Gentlemen, start your engines and, may the most diverse woman, win!
This season marks the 10-yeaar-anniversary for the prime-time show
and cultural phenomenon-- Rupaul's Drag Race. Yes, I've talked about
this in class before-- and yes, I've done research in other classes
about this topic, but that's only because it's so important.
For the past 10 years, over 147 drag queens have blasted their way into super-stardom, using the show as a platform. Over 147 queer narratives have been shared on one competition show exclusively for queer individuals. Now, obviously this isn't the firs reality show to cast queer people, see: The Real World and Big Brother on CBS, but this is the first competition show to highlight the subculture of drag and show all of the different personality types of queer people. Which, as we've heard in class, is a typically marginalized subculture.
The show carries the narratives and history of the LGBTQ+ resilience, like stonewall, pulse nightclub, trans marches, and the AIDS epidemic. And, because of the show's insane reach and massive young-adult audience, it's taught the culture and reinforced what the queer experience really is.
As Season 9 winner Sasha Velour said, "drag is the physical manifestation of the queer imagination." Not only is the show so good at highlighting the queer population, it also casts the most diverse range of contestants than any other network competition show. This season alone, there are seven PoC contestants, out of 13 total. The show has also featured star trans women that have later become activists for trans rights. Like Carmen Carrerra, Gia Gunn and Peppermint.
Although common criticisms exist about the appropriation of drag from black culture, RuPaul does her best to remind the audience of the black history of drag and how it originated in the ball culture. And, while every show has its flaws, this one is one of the most culturally significant show to exist in my lifetime. Moreso than Queer as Folk and Will & Grace combined.
For the past 10 years, over 147 drag queens have blasted their way into super-stardom, using the show as a platform. Over 147 queer narratives have been shared on one competition show exclusively for queer individuals. Now, obviously this isn't the firs reality show to cast queer people, see: The Real World and Big Brother on CBS, but this is the first competition show to highlight the subculture of drag and show all of the different personality types of queer people. Which, as we've heard in class, is a typically marginalized subculture.
The show carries the narratives and history of the LGBTQ+ resilience, like stonewall, pulse nightclub, trans marches, and the AIDS epidemic. And, because of the show's insane reach and massive young-adult audience, it's taught the culture and reinforced what the queer experience really is.
As Season 9 winner Sasha Velour said, "drag is the physical manifestation of the queer imagination." Not only is the show so good at highlighting the queer population, it also casts the most diverse range of contestants than any other network competition show. This season alone, there are seven PoC contestants, out of 13 total. The show has also featured star trans women that have later become activists for trans rights. Like Carmen Carrerra, Gia Gunn and Peppermint.
Although common criticisms exist about the appropriation of drag from black culture, RuPaul does her best to remind the audience of the black history of drag and how it originated in the ball culture. And, while every show has its flaws, this one is one of the most culturally significant show to exist in my lifetime. Moreso than Queer as Folk and Will & Grace combined.
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