COLUMNIST — DEAN ATTA
Life is a drag
My fi rst drag performance was on Wednesday 29 March 2017 at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London: the graduation of a course called The Art of Drag, led by Michael Twaits, who always referred to himself as a man in a dress.
Michael’s simple statement unburdened me of the idea that the only aims of a cis man wanting to be a drag queen were t o be extremely feminine and appear as convincing a cis woman as possible.
On my drag debut, I kept my beard and wore a wig for only part of my performance. I didn’t tuck or pad. I did an adequate job of my make- up. The experience was one I’ll not soon forget!
Every time since, I’ve felt more comfortable in drag — and in my body. Walking in heels, showing off my legs while receiving compliments about my butt gives me a confi dence that stays with me when everything comes off . I feel four inches taller and hold my head higher for weeks after a drag performance. The attention I get in drag is in stark contrast to the negative attention placed on my body as a black man in a racist society.
As a boy, a teenager and all through my twenties, I shied away from dressing in a way that could be perceived as feminine. Drag was absolutely out of the question. This was down to insecurities I felt about my sexuality.
I remember feeling grateful that no one rejected me when I came out as gay.
I was afraid to push my luck by experimenting with my appearance. I had cis male friends who wore make- up or items that were sold in the women’s section of clothing stores. That was fi ne for them but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
But the truth is: I was afraid. I’m still afraid sometimes. Coming to drag in my thirties has shown me how much I enjoy makeup and dressing up in ways outside of the norms for men in heteropatriarchy. My drag persona is called The Black Flamingo.
He, much like myself, is outspoken about issues such as racism, which is a problem in the LGBT+ community as much as in wider society. I have been inspired by incredible black drag and cabaret performers Le Gateau Chocolat, Lasana Shabazz, and Rhys’ Pieces, and events such as The Cocoa Butter Club, which showcases and celebrates performers of colour.
On Thursday 18 April, I am hosting a new night for black, queer performers called The Black Flamingo Cabaret, at London’s Free Word on Farringdon Road, as part of a season of ev ents exploring gender. It’s called All The Ways We Could Grow.
Drag has been a vital part of my growth in the past two years and I’m a better man for it.
Please do come and join us in April — with or without a wig and your heels.
“I feel four inches taller and hold my head higher after a drag performance”