Who Were the First Drag Queens? A Fabulous Drag Herstory

The art of drag has a rich and colorful history that spans centuries and cultures. While the term "drag queen" is relatively modern, the practice of men dressing as women for entertainment has roots that reach far back into history. And before you ask, Lady Bunny is not the oldest drag queen!

Let's strut through time and explore the origins and evolution of drag.

Ancient Beginnings

The concept of cross-dressing in performance can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In classical Greek theater, men played all roles, including female characters, as women were not allowed on stage. This tradition continued in Shakespearean England, where young male actors known as "boy players" would perform female roles. So that means Juliet would have been played by a femme chap, opposite a more masculine Romeo.

We still don’t know if Elizabethan audiences would have registered such performances as homoerotic (let’s assume at least some of the spectators in the Globe were filling out their codpieces).

19th Century: The Birth of Pantomime Dames

In the 1800s, British theater saw the rise of the "pantomime dame," a comedic male character dressed as an older woman. Performers like Dan Leno popularized this form of drag, which remains a beloved tradition in British Christmas pantomimes to this day. The drag queens we know and recognize today can be traced back to a British archetype.

Stella and Fanny

Early 20th Century: Vaudeville and Female Impersonators

The early 1900s saw the emergence of vaudeville and variety shows, where female impersonation became a popular act. Performers like Julian Eltinge and Bert Savoy gained fame for their convincing and glamorous portrayals of women.

1920s-1930s: The Pansy Craze

During Prohibition in the United States, a period known as the "Pansy Craze" saw a surge in popularity for drag performances in underground clubs. Performers like Gene Malin and Ray Bourbon pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms. The so-called pansies occasionally minced their way through 1930s screwball comedies. They disappeared from view as quickly as they arrived.

1950s-1960s: The Rise of Drag Balls

Drag balls, which had their origins in the Harlem Renaissance, gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s. These events provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves freely. Figures like Crystal LaBeija became icons in this scene, laying the groundwork for the later ballroom culture. This era was immortalized in Paris is Burning.

1960s-1970s: Stonewall and Mainstream Visibility

The Stonewall Riots of 1969, in which drag queens played a pivotal role, marked a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights. In the aftermath, drag became more visible and political. Performers like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson became activists as well as entertainers.

1970s-1980s: Divine and Theatrical Drag

The 1970s saw the rise of Divine, John Waters' muse, who brought a new level of shock value and theatricality to drag. Divine's performances in films like "Pink Flamingos" pushed drag into the realm of avant-garde art. Divine also launched a music career, and became the world’s most unlikely pop star.

1990s-Present: RuPaul and the Drag Renaissance

RuPaul Charles brought drag to mainstream television in the 1990s with his talk show and hit single "Supermodel (You Better Work)." The launch of "RuPaul's Drag Race" in 2009 catapulted drag into the global spotlight, introducing a new generation to the art form and creating a platform for hundreds of drag performers.

William Dorsey Swann

Notable Drag Pioneers

While it's impossible to name a single "first" drag queen, several performers stand out as pioneers:

William Dorsey Swann: Swann organized drag balls in Washington, D.C. in the 1880s and 1890s. William Dorsey Swann, born in 1858, was an African American drag queen who lived in Washington. He is often referred to as the "Queen of Drag" and is considered by many historians to be the first known person to self-identify as a "queen of drag." If anyone can claim the title of the “first” drag queen, it’s got to be Swann.

Stella and Fanny: Stella Boulton and Ernest Boulton (also known as Fanny Graham) were two of the most famous drag performers and possibly transgender individuals in Victorian-era England. Their story provides a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century queer culture and the challenges faced by those who defied gender norms. Stella Boulton was the drag persona of Ernest Boulton, while Fanny Graham was the drag persona of Frederick William Park. They were often referred to collectively as "Fanny and Stella. In the 1860s and early 1870s, Stella and Fanny became well-known figures in London's theatrical and social scenes. They frequently appeared in public dressed in women's clothing, both on and off the stage.

Julian Eltinge: One of the most famous female impersonators of the early 20th century, Eltinge had a successful career on Broadway and in silent films.

José Sarria: Known as "The Widow Norton," Sarria performed drag in San Francisco in the 1950s and 1960s and was the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the United States.

Flawless Sabrina: Organized and hosted drag pageants across the U.S. in the 1960s, documented in the film "The Queen" (1968).