FEATURE
The History of Drag
Drag is a living, breathing art form—an ever-evolving tapestry of gender expression, theatrical brilliance, and artistic reinvention. From the stages of ancient Rome to the glittering ballrooms of the present day, drag has shape-shifted through time, transforming itself to reflect the social and artistic landscapes of each era. It is an art form born out of necessity, entertainment, and rebellion, proving that gender is a canvas upon which performers can paint with boundless creativity.
April 18, 2025
Image: Early drag. A Man dressed as Queen Elizabeth. Modified Adobe Stock.
Image: Julian Eltinge, Creative Commons
Image RuPaul, Creative Commons
Image: Early drag. A Man dressed as Queen Elizabeth. Modified Adobe Stock.
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By William Cameron
The history of drag dates back thousands of years, to the theatrical traditions of ancient Rome and Greece. In these early performances, men played all roles—including female characters—since women were often barred from the stage. Roman pantomime saw actors donning exaggerated feminine attire, setting the stage for what we now recognize as gender performance. In Shakespearean England, the same traditions endured, with young male actors portraying Juliet, Ophelia, and Lady Macbeth. These early interpretations of femininity were not mere substitutions for women but highly stylized performances that laid the groundwork for the theatricality of drag.
As performance traditions expanded into the modern world, drag found a home in Vaudeville and burlesque during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this era, performers such as Julian Eltinge became household names, presenting drag not as parody but as an elegant, sophisticated illusion. Eltinge, one of the most famous female impersonators of his time, even marketed beauty products to women—his ability to embody femininity was so convincing that he became a symbol of aspirational womanhood. However, the increasing moral policing of gender expression in the early 20th century meant that drag, while popular, also lived on the fringes of acceptable society.
During the 1930s, The Rocky Twins—identical twin brothers who performed in exquisite female attire—took Paris by storm. Their performances blended grace, precision, and high glamour, creating an illusion so convincing that audiences were left in awe. The Rocky Twins became icons of the Parisian cabaret scene, dazzling spectators with their synchronicity and elegance. Their success underscored the growing fascination with gender illusion in entertainment, influencing generations of drag performers to come.
First Image: The Rocky Twins, Creative Commons - Second Image: Julian Eltinge, Creative Commons
The 1940s and 1950s saw drag take root in underground cabarets and secret queer spaces. With laws criminalizing cross-dressing, drag was both a performance and an act of resistance. The Pansy Craze of the 1920s had introduced gender-bending performers like Jean Malin to speakeasies, but after the repeal of Prohibition, many of these spaces disappeared. By the mid-century, performers such as Ray Bourbon and the Jewel Box Revue—a touring drag troupe featuring Black and white queens—continued to keep the art of drag alive, even as they faced societal persecution.
The 1960s and 1970s ushered in an era of visibility and activism. The Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, were sparked in part by drag queens and trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Drag moved from the nightclubs to the streets, where it became a form of protest against oppression. The 1970s also saw the rise of drag pageantry, with events like Miss Gay America providing queens a platform to showcase their talents in the face of mainstream rejection.
The late 20th century witnessed a diversification of drag styles, influenced by the cultural shifts of the disco era and the punk movement. The 1970s disco scene, with its flamboyant fashion, pulsating music, and emphasis on glamour, created a space where drag performers flourished. Nightclubs such as Studio 54 became playgrounds for extravagant self-expression, where drag queens mingled with celebrities and helped define the era’s aesthetics. Meanwhile, the punk movement of the late 1970s and 1980s ushered in a new wave of drag that rejected traditional notions of beauty in favor of raw, rebellious, and deliberately subversive styles. Figures like Leigh Bowery embodied this avant-garde approach, pushing drag beyond illusion and into the realm of performance art. This era saw drag become not just a celebration of femininity, but a radical statement of individuality and defiance.
By the 1980s, drag had solidified itself within the LGBTQ+ community, gaining recognition outside of queer circles. This era saw the birth of the underground ballroom scene, immortalized in films like Paris Is Burning. These ballrooms, dominated by Black and Latinx queer communities, provided a space where performers could find chosen families, known as “houses,” and compete in elaborate categories that celebrated gender expression in all its forms. This decade also saw the arrival of Divine, the outrageous and unapologetic muse of filmmaker John Waters, who brought drag into the realm of cult cinema.
The 1990s saw a further expansion of drag into mainstream consciousness. RuPaul, who had been performing in the New York club scene, exploded onto the pop culture stage with the 1992 hit “Supermodel (You Better Work).” His visibility ushered in a new era where drag could be seen on television, in music, and even in films like To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Drag was no longer confined to the fringes—it was becoming a celebrated art form.
The early 2000s saw drag continue to thrive in queer spaces, but it was the launch of RuPaul’s Drag Racein 2009 that forever changed the landscape of the art form. The show, modeled after reality competition series like America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway, introduced drag to a new generation and legitimized it as an art form worthy of mainstream attention. Drag queens became celebrities, with stars like Bianca Del Rio, Trixie Mattel, and Sasha Velour transcending the club scene and entering the worlds of comedy, music, and fashion. The show also brought attention to queens from across the United States, including notable contestants from Colorado, such as Yvie Oddly, Willow Pill, and Nina Flowers. These queens made a lasting impact on the competition, each bringing their unique artistry, innovation, and charisma to the global stage.
First Image: Nina Flowers, Stock Photo - Second image: RuPaul, Creative Commons
By the 2020s, drag had become an undeniable cultural force. RuPaul’s Drag Race spawned international franchises, and queens continued breaking barriers in entertainment and beauty. The rise of digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok allowed drag to expand beyond traditional performances, giving queens the ability to reach audiences worldwide. As new generations embrace the art form, drag continues to evolve, blending classic elements with fresh, innovative approaches.
As we move into 2025 and beyond, drag continues to push boundaries, proving that gender is fluid, performance is limitless, and self-expression is a powerful force. Whether on a dimly lit stage, in a digital livestream, or at a global festival, drag is here to stay—shimmering, defiant, and ever-evolving.
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About the author
With a 25-year background in print advertising sales and publishing, a love for art and design, and steadfast determination, William has helped develop and execute the successful launch of three publications over his career; METROMODE being his own. As the Creative Director, he sets the brand's vision and leads a talented team of writers while bringing his creative abilities (16-years in graphic design) to designing each issue.