Research Overview

Study Title: Drag Expression and how it interfaces with Dragism, Coping, Resilience, and Generativity (IRB Protocol #: L20-0047)

 

Scope: An exploratory, qualitative research study examining the intersection of aging and drag performance. Even though drag queens have achieved significant levels of visibility in mainstream entertainment and have become increasingly present topics of discussion in news outlets, modern media, and even political landscapes, they are an understudied and underrepresented population (Knutson et al., 2020; O’Brien, 2018). Older drag queens have yet to be studied in the social science literature (Henneberry et al., 2022). “Drag Queens possess unique characteristics as a subpopulation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community that warrant exploration” (Knutson, Koch, Sneed, & Lee, 2018). This research aims to understand and represent the relatively understudied population of drag queens in academic literature while drawing attention to the specific sub-population of older adults in the profession. A semi-structured interview protocol and thematic analysis was utilized to understand the unique perspectives of self-identified drag performers over the age of 50 (n=15; ages 54-90). Examining drag artistry and expression through the lens of aging has revealed themes of drag as a form of armor, ageism within the community, and shifts in social perceptions of drag performers. This presentation will introduce the term “dragism” in an attempt to explain the discrimination against drag queens within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the interplay of both dragism and ageism for the participants of this study (Donorfio et al., 2022).

 

The Study Aims to:

  • (1) Understand and describe the meaning of drag expression for older drag performers
  • (2) Determine if drag expression is a mechanism to a healthier state of self across the lifespan
  • (3) Identify how drag expression is integrated with one’s persona and how it interfaces with gender, adversity (e.g. agism and dragism), coping, and resilience
  • (4) Describe drag artists’ relationships with biological and chosen family and the impact of these relationships on identity formation
  • (5) Explore intergenerational relationships within drag communities and its impact on activism, mentorship, and generativity

 

For more information about our research, please see the “Presentations” tab located on the top navigation menu.

A 19th century photograph, depicting two men in drag. They are posing in the act of dressing. Image was found on the "welcome collection" site of the public domain.
A black-and-white 20th century photograph, depicting a man in drag. He is posing is elaborate drag garb. Image was found on the "welcome collection" site of the public domain.
A 19th century photograph, depicting a man in drag. He is posing and wearing mauve attire. Image was found on the "welcome collection" site of the public domain.