With drag queens, there is a certain way you approach them and talk to them and act around them that can be deemed inappropriate or annoying. This article is to help you avoid that, granted all of these are subjective so the best way to know the inappropriate behavior is to ask the queen herself.
First: The Don’t’s
- Hugging: This is something that you have to approach at a kind of predator-prey situation, because some queens embrace hugging (see what I did there? Ok yea I’ll continue) and other queens hate it, because it messes up their wigs, or wrinkles their outfit or you squish their tuck, there could be so many reasons, so respect that.
- Labels: As Drag Race has taught us, calling someone a pageant or comedy queen usually ends in a fierce nails-out reading session, or setting yourself up for failure when it comes to that particular label, right Alyssa?
- Getting Handsy: This one applies to real life too, but sometimes, us fans/friends can be a little too “interactive” with a drag performance or queen, in which case it toddles on the line of pervy/sexual assault. Remember, drag queens are just fiercer humans so don’t do something to them in drag that you wouldn’t do to them out of drag.
- Stealing A Queen’s Money: Besides this being illegal, it’s also being a horrible person, because queens work hard to earn that money and a lot of the time, that money you’re stealing is going on a cycle of buying drag supplies and necessities. So just say no, kids.
- Insulting Another Queen: Yes every queen enjoys throwing shade, but when you end up insulting another queen, Drag Race or Hometown Hunty, a certain line has been crossed. Because you went from business to personal, especially with someone the queen works with. So, just stick to throwing shade and keep malicious comments to yourself.
Now it’s time for the do’s
- Tip the Queens: Especially with blossoming queens, earning tips is harder, so when you go to the bar or club or other listed venue, make sure to set aside some tip money for each performer even if it’s just a couple of dollars each, the queens need it.
- Compliments: Always make it a point that whenever you’re talking to a queen to compliment them on their fishiness, outfit, giant head attached to their body, whatever, just make sure they know you appreciate what they’re doing.
- Drinks: it gets hot on the stage so drinks are generally appreciated by the drag community, and sometimes the horrible pick-up lines that follow
- Corrections: if you see a queen that has something broken, messed up, or just wrong, tell them after or before their performance in a polite, quiet way. Shouting out “YOUR KNEES LOOK LIKE MAYONNAISE” will not result in a “thank you” but rather a heel in the face,
- Support: Finally, and probably the most cliché yet most important do, would be to give queens support. Sometimes queens fall down and struggle to get back up, but it’s up to the viewers and their friends and family to help them up.
