All About Drag Queens
Drag Queen FAQ
f you're interested in learning more about drag queens, this page has everything you need to know about:
drag shows, drag bingo, drag karaoke, RuPaul’s Drag Race, men who do drag, women who do drag, non-binary people who do drag, and transgender drag queens. Also information on drag dancers, drag singers, drag queen actors, drag vocalists, female impersonators, celebrity impersonators, and a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania. Don’t forget Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Too Wong Foo, Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and La Cage Aux Folles.
What is a drag queen?
A drag queen is a person, usually male, who uses costuming and makeup to imitate and often exaggerate female gender signifiers and gender roles for entertainment purposes.
Are all drag queens men?
Are drag queens male or female?
Historically, most drag queens have been men dressing as women. In modern times, drag queens are associated with gay men and gay culture, but they can be of any gender and sexual identity.
Female drag queens, for a time, went by terms such as “bio queen,” “faux queen,” and “hyper queen.” With today’s gender identity variations these terms are falling out of usage. Some prefer “AFAB queen” which stands for “Assigned Female at Birth” while others refuse to have a gender-specific label and just prefer to be known as “drag queens”
Are drag queens transgender (trans)?
Not necessarily. Drag refers to the act of dressing up in an exaggerated fashion. A transgender woman identifies with a gender she was not assigned as birth. These are two different things that sometimes meet. Some drag queens eventually transition to living as women but may still perform in drag. Some also identify as “non-binary” which means they prefer not to be referred to as male or female.
Why do people do drag?
People partake in the activity of doing drag for reasons ranging from artistic self-expression to mainstream performance. For many it a career choice and a source of income.
What is a drag show?
What does a drag show consist of?
Drag shows frequently include lip-sync acts, live singing performances, comedy, and dancing.
Some drag queens are actors who appear in theatrical productions as female or drag queen characters.
Drag queens often host fun interactive activities such as drag bingo or drag karaoke.
During the pandemic a popular activity has been virtual drag bingo played over Zoom or a similar platform
Acts can range from comedic to dramatic to political, and that the performances can vary widely depending on the individual drag queen and the venue.
Why are they called “drag queens”?
What is the origin of the term “drag queen”?
There are various theories about the origin of the term "drag queen.” The term existed in the early 20th century in Polari, a type of British slang. Some historians believe the expression was born around the 1800s in reference to the wide skirts worn by men dressed as women which “dragged“ on the ground. Others say it was an abbreviation for “Dressed Resembling A Girl.” which was used as stage notes in theater. There is no consensus on either of these theories.
Where can I see drag queens?
Most cities have drag shows that occur at predominantly LGBTQ bars and nightclubs. There may also be a local drag queen brunch. Drag queens can also be booked to perform at a special event such as a birthday, holiday party, ladies night, etc. Country club drag shows and college drag events are increasingly common.
How can I hire a drag queen?
Is there a drag queen booking agency?
Is there a drag queen talent agency?
How can I book a drag queen?
The #1 drag entertainment company, Screaming Queens Entertainment, has been providing drag performers for private events since 1993. Past clients include Dunkin Brands, WeWork, Google, Macy’s, MAC, Meta, Netflix, and CitiBank. Performers are available in and around most major cities in all 50 states. Now that offices have gone remote a popular team activity is Virtual Drag Bingo. Drag Queen bingo as a happy hour activity can’t be beat!
➡️Book Drag Queens for Parties and Events.⬅️
➡️Book a Celebrity Impersonators for Parties and Events.⬅️
Are there drag queens near me?
See below for information about drag queens available for booking throughout the United States.
Book a drag queen in California
Book a drag queen in Connecticut
Book a drag queen in Massachusetts
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Book a drag queen in Pennsylvania
Have drag queens been seen on TV?
Drag queens have been a fixture on television for decades.
In the 1970s, Lori Shannon played "Beverly LaSalle" on "All in the Family", and even received mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Archie Bunker.
In the 1990s, drag became popular on daytime talk shows such as "The Jerry Springer Show", "The Ricki Lake Show", "Sally", and "Maury".
Since 2009, the Emmy award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" has brought drag into the mainstream and given it international visibility.
The show has launched the careers of many drag queens and has had a significant impact on popular culture.
Since then, a plethora of drag TV shows have arisen, including "Queen of the Universe", "Call Me Mother", "Dragula", "AJ and the Queen", "Drag Me Down the Aisle", "We're Here", "Trixie & Katya", "Super Drags", and "Dancing Queen".
These shows feature various drag performances, including lip-syncing, dancing, and comedy.
In 2023 RuPaul’s Drag Race two-time winner Jinkx Monsoon made her Broadway debut in “Chicago” in the role of brassy prison matron Mama Morton.
What kind of events are drag queens suited for?
Drag queens are a great addition to a birthday party, wedding reception, bachelorette party, holiday party, corporate event, or product promotion.
Drag bingo is perfect for happy hour team activities, country clubs, colleges and universities, or churches and synagogues.
A drag show is fits well as a special event for a country club, senior community, or gala fundraiser.
What is “drag queen story hour?”
Children are attracted to colorfully costumed larger-than-life characters. Think Big Bird, Barney, and the Disney Princesses. It’s no surprise that many tykes are thrilled to meet a brightly attired drag queen. It has recently become popular to schedule events, often at public libraries, that involve drag performers reading stories to kids. Many forward-thinking parents are attracted to the idea of exposing their kids to gender non-conforming people to expand their worldview.
What is a “drag king”?
A drag king is most often a female performer who wears a masculine wardrobe and incorporates male gender stereotypes as part of their performance. Drag kings’ shows may involve lip sync, live singing, acting, comedy, and/or dance.
What are some movies featuring drag queens?
Drag Queen Films:
Drag queens have acted in and been the subject of numerous feature films. The list below concentrates on films that have some connection to drag culture as opposed to films that simply depict men dressed as women such as Tootsie, Big Mama’s House, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
Drag Queen Films of the 1960s
Flaming Creatures (1963)
The Queen (1968)
The Wild Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968)
Black Lizard (1968)
Funeral Parade of Roses (1969)
The Gay Deceivers (1969)
Drag Queen Films of the 1970s
Trash (1970)
Women in Revolt (1971)
Pink Flamingos (1972)
Female Trouble (1974)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Saturday Night at the Baths (1975)
Outrageous! (1977)
La Cage aux Folles (1978)
Drag Queen Films of the 1980s
La Cage aux Folles II (1980)
Polyester (1981)
Lust in the Dust (1984)
La Cage aux Folles 3 – ‘Elles’ se marient (1985)
Too Outrageous! (1987)
Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
Hairspray (1988)
Drag Queen Films of the 1990s
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Vegas in Space (1991)
Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen (1993)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
Wigstock: The Movie (1995)
The Birdcage (1996)
Dragtime (1997)
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
Flawless (1999)
Trick (1999)
Drag Queen Films of the 2000s
Holiday Heart (2000)
Psycho Beach Party (2000)
The Cockettes (2002)
Venus Boyz (2002)
How Do I Look (2006)
All About Evil (2010)
Girls Will be GIrls (2012)
Holiday Heart (2000 TV Movie)
Red Lipstick (2000 Unreleased)
Die Mommy Die (2003)
Connie and Carla (2004)
Kinky Boots (2005)
Team Queen (2007)
Hairspray (2007)
Starrbooty (2007)
Pageant (2008)
Drag Queen Films of the 2010s
The Unforgettable Danny La Rue (TV Movie 2010)
Lady Peacock (2014)
Mala Mala (2014)
This Is Drag (2015)
Dressed as a Girl (2015)
Parole de King! (2015)
Drag Becomes him (2015)
The Queen of Ireland (2015)
Jinkx Monsoon: Drag Becomes Him (2015)
TupiniQueens (2015)
My Brother's Shoes (2015)
Hurricane Bianca (2016)
Spidarlings (2016)
Dragged (2016)
Thirsty (2016)
Cherry Pop (2017)
Battle of Soho (2017)
When Wigs Fly (2017)
Freak Show (2017)
A Queen for the People (2018)
Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate (2018)
Tucked (2018)
The Gospel Of Eureka (2018)
Ruminations (2018)
The Quiet Room (2018)
Laganja's Dance School (2019)
Verasphere: A Love Story in Costume (2019)
Moving Parts (2019)
Wig (2019)
Drag Kids (2019)
Drag Queen Films of the 2020s
Stage Mother (2020)
Workhorse Queen (2020)
P.S. Burn This Letter Please (2020)
Swan Song (2021)
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
Mister Sister (2021)
The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (2021)
Drag Syndrome (2021)
Enter the Drag Dragon (2022)
Sophie Dupuis' Drag (2023)
Femme (2023)
It’s terrible to see extremists spreading misinformation about drag queens and transgender people. The laws they are proposing and sometimes passing are horrific. What can I do to help?
Your concern is greatly appreciated. Here are some fantastic resources to help you join in the fight to preserve freedom and dignity for gender nonconforming Americans:
Drag Pac is the first-ever political action committee led by drag entertainers! Founded by global drag queen super stars, they are here to engage, educate, and mobilize Gen Z voters
Drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community are facing threats across the country. In the face of these threats and censorship, you can fight back with the ACLU for the protection of all our rights. Please make a tax-deductible gift to this crucial fund now.
A national effort to organize drag artists and fans. 