Washington's vibrant drag tradition flourishes despite its often conservative reputation. Mark Meinke, head of the Rainbow History Project, attributes this to the city's transient nature, drawing in temporary residents from diverse backgrounds seeking freedom of expression. This melting pot effect encouraged cross-cultural collaboration in drag, especially post-1970s. The upcoming "Drag Through the Decades" event hosted by Blair Michaels will celebrate the evolution of drag in the area, highlighting its multifaceted history and the convergence of various cultures and identities that have shaped its legacy over the past 50 years.
"Because jobs in government or politics often attracted temporary residents, Washington became an environment where people felt free to experiment - including with drag - in a way they might not have back home."
"For a long time in Washington, African American performers usually performed with other African American performers, Caucasians with Caucasians, Hispanic with Hispanic, Asians with Asians, and it wasn't until the '70s that a lot of crossing those lines occurred."
Collection
[
|
...
]