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GREEN DRAG: HOW ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES
CREATE INCLUSION AND ACCEPTANCE WORDS BY M.K. KOSZYCKI | PHOTOS BY CASSIDY DUHON To those only marginally familiar with the art form, the word “drag” may evoke imagery associated with RuPaul’s Drag Race, a boozy brunch downtown with queens serenading revelers, or elaborate makeup and masterfully applied wigs. While all represent components of drag, there is much more to it, including outlets for even more creativity, accessibility and connection within queer communities and the outdoors. Photographer Cassidy DuHon is behind the Instagram account @dragofthewoods, and a quick scroll gives you a sense of something bigger than “traditional” drag. The bio states that DuHon is “capturing the beauty of the drag we find and make in nature.” Here, you’ll find photos of people of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages expressing themselves through drag, whatever that means to them. The simple, the horrifying, the glamorous, the elaborate – all captured with nature in the background. “I like seeing drag queens outside their natural habitat of cities,” DuHon explains. “There’s such a contrast between people doing what are often these very contrived, artificial looks in a good way, in a natural setting. It also gives people more of a sense of peace and non-urgency in all of it, where there’s time to climb a tree and let the dress drape down. It makes for a more relaxed feeling.” There’s a deeply palpable appreciation for both his subjects and the environment in how they are captured in all of DuHon’s photos. Many of them are taken at an event called Leaning Into Sissy Affirmation (LISA). DuHon founded LISA in the tradition
of the Radical Faerie movement, a loosely formed group of queer people who, starting in the ‘70s, aimed to get back to nature and connect with one another through large gatherings in the woods. Although LISA is invite-only, the event is accepting and affirming of all queer identities. “Everyone that’s wanted to come has been invited to,” he says. “We’re trying to keep it outside of a ticketed, commercialized thing. I want people to come there with a sense of intentionality. I think that is important, since queer spaces have become more blended into mixed spaces. Even the spaces that are queer, it’s in a more mainstream way. I have a belief that a little bit of queer separateness sometimes yields a different form of creativity.” One such person leaning into this creative space is Chris Pugliese, whose drag name is Necro Nancy. If the name is any indication, it’s not the glitz of typical drag. Pugliese’s style is glamorous, fantastical and a little disturbing. He cites auteur director and proprietor of all things magically disturbing, David Lynch, as an influence, along with many movies in the classic horror canon. “There are many queens who can do pretty, and they should, and that works for them,” Pugliese says. “I’m always looking for something you don’t see, whether it’s through using unconventional materials or visually. My goal in my looks is to make you not want to look at me. I feel like a successful look is when you can’t look at me for a long period of time, and it sends shivers down your spine.” DISTRICT FRAY | 67
