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masculinity beauty exploration man in the mirror explode embrace you gender performativity diverse recommendations Bitter
pride
1.Masculinity
4.Beauty
6.Exploration
7.Man in the mirror
9.Explode
11.Embrace you December 2014
12. gender performativity Why fit in when you're born to stand out?
Self-perception Photography by rebecca quinn Exploration of drag in modern times has seen it transformed from a seedy sideshow purely for entertainment into an art form and culture all of its own. Drag culture is evolving at a rapid rate, however the confusion between drag queens and transvestites is still very common. Drag queens are not transvestites. Drag queens are female impersonators who have no desire to either live as or become female. Research shows that “gay men are more prone to body image disorders than their heterosexual counterparts”–but why is this?
Low self-esteem levels and the pressure to look feminine are common within drag queens, with men who perform drag often describing themselves as shy or quiet, because they feel that they don’t fit the typical face/ standard of beauty. Many feel need to gratify themselves by dressing up as a women, performing makes them feel empowered and provokes attention that they don’t receive when dressed as a male. However the men behind the makeup are typically nervous, shy, often very thin or very overweight.
What makes this ‘shy,’ ‘nervous,’ person put on a mask and perform on stage with confidence? The whole idea of putting on a dragmask can act as a protective barrier for performers; protecting them and offering escapism from their everyday existence. While dressed in drag, they feel they are allowed to do things that they wouldn’t normally do, such as openly flirt with men. While dressed as their alter ego, they can be loud, over the top, rude and create a ‘diva’ reputation without fear of consequences. Costumes almost allow them to get away with anything; they can blame it on the character not the actual subject underneath. The appreciation of drag from both straight and gay audiences can also empower performers, giving them celebrity-like prominence. Why is it funny for men to dress up as women but not for women to dress up as men?’ Raising the debate of sexism, could a man impersonating a woman in an over the top manner be deemed offensive? Some argue that by wearing tonnes of make up and having huge hair while giggling and acting stupid or shallow, drag artists are perpetuating out-dated female stereotypes and belittling the female sex?
Using clichéd and often-sexualised feminine traits in order to bond with an audience could be seen as unethical, especially when the drag performers are gaining so much in terms of self-esteem and personal gratification. However ignorance is behind much of the ‘bad-press’ faced by drag performers. The need for sexual diversity in the 21st century is stronger than ever as homophobia happens not only in the wider world, but also in every local community and can be hugely oppressive. Diversity with regards to sexuality, is a deep and in–depth subject. In order to achieve harmony with oneself, the lengths that a person must go to in order to attain this is excused, in my opinion. Human nature often takes hold when referring to sensitivity towards drag, and also the unknown and uneducated. Many people tend to turn a blind eye to the drag and the dress-up scene, because it is simply not the everyday norm, as homophobic and illiterate as that is. I believe that truly expressing who you are is key to finding true happiness, harmonising not only a nation but also humanity; above all I believe that every individual is equal. No one should be left standing at a crossing looking down and thinking ‘do I look like I fit in?’
14.Diverse recommendations How to act, look and think like yourself
white leather today
long hair yesterday
'17.don't get bitter,
get better'
You can use the verb submerse in much the same way you'd use submerge, to mean sink or dive under the surface of the water. The meaning of submerse makes sense when you know that a submersible is a small underwater vessel, similar to a submarine. All of these words have the Latin prefix sub- in common, which means under. Merse comes from the Latin verb to plunge, mergere.
pride
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elegance noun 1. the quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
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