The Drag Queen Anthology: The Absolutely Fabulous But Flawlessly Customary World of Female Impersonators

271 Pages·2004·11.631 MB·English

by  Steven P. Schacht

The Drag Queen Anthology:
The Absolutely Fabulous
but Flawlessly Customary World
of Female Impersonators
TheDragQueenAnthology:TheAbsolutelyFabulousbutFlawlessly
CustomaryWorldofFemaleImpersonatorshasbeenco-publishedsimul-
taneouslyasJournalofHomosexuality,Volume46,Numbers3/42004.
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The Drag Queen Anthology: The Absolutely Fabulous but Flawlessly Customary World of Fe-
male Impersonators,edited by Steven P. Schacht, PhD, with Lisa Underwood (Vol. 46, No. 3/4,
2004). “Indispensable. . . . For more than a decade, Steven P. Schacht has been one of the social
science’s most reliable guides to the world of drag queens and female impersonators. . . . This
book assembles an impressive cast of scholars who are as theoretically astute, methodologically
careful, and conceptually playful as the drag queens themselves.” (MichaelKimmel, author of
TheGenderedSociety; Professor of Sociology, SUNY Stony Brook)
Queer Theory and Communication: From Disciplining Queers to Queering the Discipline(s),ed-
ited by Gust A.Yep, PhD, Karen E.Lovaas, PhD, and John P.Elia, PhD (Vol. 45, No. 2/3/4,
2003).“Sheds light on how sexual orientation and identity are socially produced–and how they
can be challenged and changed–through everyday practices and institutional activities, as well
as academic research and teaching. . . . Illuminates the theoretical and practical significance of
queer theory–not only as a specific area of inquiry, but also as a productive challenge to the
heteronormativityof mainstream communication theory, research, and pedagogy.” (Julia T.
Wood, PhD,LinebergerProfessor of Humanities, Professor of Communication Studies, The Uni-
versity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Gay Bathhouses and Public Health Policy,edited by William J. Woods, PhD, and DianeBinson,
PhD (Vol. 44, No. 3/4, 2003).“Important. . . . Long overdue. . . . a unique and valuable contri-
bution to the social science and public health literature. The inclusion of detailed historical de-
scriptions of public policy debates about the place of bathhouses in urban gay communities,
together with summaries of the legal controversies about bathhouses, insightful examinations of
patrons’ behaviors and reviews of successful program for HIV/STDeducation and testing pro-
grams in bathhouses provides. A well rounded and informative overview.” (RichardTewksbury,
PhD, Professor of Justice Administration, University of Louisville)
Icelandic Lives: The Queer Experience,edited byVoonChinPhua(Vol. 44, No. 2, 2002).“The
first of its kind, this book shows the emergence of gay and lesbian visibility through the bio-
graphical narratives of a dozen Icelanders. Through their lives can be seen a small nation’s
transition, in just a few decades, from a pervasive silence concealing its queer citizens to wide-
spread acknowledgment characterized by some of the most progressive laws in the world.”
(Barry D. Adam, PhD, University Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology,
University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
The Drag King Anthology,edited by DonnaTroka, PhD (cand.), Kathleen LeBesco, PhD, and Jean
Bobby Noble, PhD (Vol. 43, No. 3/4, 2002).“All university courses on masculinity should use
this book . . . challenges preconceptions through the empirical richness of direct experience. The
contributors and editors have worked together to produce cultural analysis that enhances our
perception of the dynamic uncertainty ofgenderedexperience.” (Sally R.Munt,DPhil, Subject
Chair, Media Studies, University of Sussex)
Homosexuality in French History and Culture,edited by Jeffrey Merrick, PhD, and Michael
Sibalis, PhD (Vol. 41, No. 3/4, 2001).“Fascinating . . . Merrick andSibalisbring together
historians, literary scholars, and political activists from both sides of the Atlantic to examine
same-sex sexuality in the past and present.” (Bryant T.Ragan, PhD, Associate Professor of His-
tory, Fordham University, New York)
Gay and Lesbian Asia: Culture, Identity, Community,edited by Gerard Sullivan, PhD, and Peter A.
Jackson, PhD (Vol. 40, No. 3/4, 2001).“Superb. . . . Covers a happily wide range of styles . . .
will appeal to both students and educated fans.” (Gary Morris, Editor/Publisher, Bright Lights
Film Journal)
Queer Asian Cinema: Shadows in the Shade,edited by Andrew Grossman, MA (Vol. 39, No. 3/4,
2000).“An extremely rich tapestry of detailed ethnographies and state-of-the-art theorizing. . . .
Not only is this a landmark record of queer Asia, but it will certainly also be a seminal,
contributive challenge to gender and sexuality studies in general.” (DédéOetomo, PhD, Coordi-
nator of the Indonesian organizationGAYaNUSANTARA: Adjunct Reader in Linguistics and
Anthropology, School of Social Sciences,UniversitasAirlangga,Surabaya, Indonesia)
GayCommunitySurvivalintheNewMillennium,editedbyMichaelR.Botnick,PhD(cand.),
(Vol.38,No.4,2000).Examinesthenotionofcommunityfromseveraldifferentperspectives
focusingontheimagined,thestructural,andtheemotive.Youwillexploreatheoreticaloverview
andyouwillpeekintothemoraldiscoursesthatframe“gaycommunity,”theriftbetweenHIV-pos-
itiveandHIV-negativegaymen,andhowIsraeligaysseektheirplaceinthepublicsphere.
The Ideal Gay Man: The Story of DerKreis,by Hubert Kennedy, PhD (Vol. 38, No. 1/2, 1999).
“Very Profound. . . . Excellent insight into the problems of the early fight for homosexual eman-
cipation in Europe and in the USA. . . . The ideal gay man (high-mindedness, purity, cleanness),
as he was imagined by the editor ofDerKreis,is delineated by the fascinating quotations out
of the published erotic stories.” (WolfgangBreidert, PhD, Academic Director, Institute of
Philosophy, University Karlsruhe, Germany)
Multicultural Queer: Australian Narratives,edited by Peter A. Jackson, PhD, and Gerard Sullivan,
PhD (Vol. 36, No. 3/4, 1999).Shares the way that people from ethnic minorities in Australia
(those who are not of Anglo-Celtic background) view homosexuality, their experiences as
homosexual men and women, and their feelings about the lesbian and gay community.
ScandinavianHomosexualities: Essays on Gay and Lesbian Studies,edited by JanLöfström, PhD
(Vol. 35, No. 3/4, 1998).“Everybody interested in the formation of lesbian and gay identities
and their interaction with thesociopoliticalcan find something to suit their taste in this volume.”
(JudithSchuyf, PhD, Assistant Professor of Lesbian and Gay Studies, Center for Gay and
Lesbian Studies, Utrecht University, The Netherlands)
Gay and Lesbian Literature Since World War II: History and Memory,edited by Sonya L. Jones,
PhD (Vol. 34, No. 3/4, 1998).“The authors of these essays manage to gracefully incorporate the
latest insights of feminist, postmodernist, and queer theory into solidly grounded readings . . .
challenging and moving, informed by the passion that prompts both readers and critics into
deeper inquiry.” (Diane GriffinGrowder, PhD, Professor of French and Women’s Studies, Cor-
nell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa)
Reclaiming the Sacred: The Bible in Gay and Lesbian Culture,edited by Raymond-JeanFrontain,
PhD(Vol.33,No.3/4,1997).“Finelywrought,sharplyfocused,daring,andalwaysdignified....
In chapter after chapter, the Bible is shown to be a more sympathetic and humane book in its at-
titudes toward homosexuality than usually thought and a challenge equally to the straight and
gay moral imagination.” (JosephWittreich, PhD, Distinguished Professor of English, The
Graduate School, The City University of New York)
ActivismandMarginalizationintheAIDSCrisis,editedbyMichaelA.Hallett,PhD(Vol.32,No.3/4,
1997).ShowsreadershowtheadventofHIV-diseasehasbroughtintoquestiontheutilityofcertain
formsof“activism”astheyrelatetounderstandingandfightingthesocialimpactsofdisease.
Gays, Lesbians, and Consumer Behavior: Theory, Practice, and Research Issues in Marketing,
edited by Daniel L.Wardlow, PhD (Vol. 31, No. 1/2, 1996).“For those scholars, market
researchers, and marketing managers who are considering marketing to the gay and lesbian
community, this book should be on required reading list.” (Mississippi Voice)
Gay Men and the Sexual History of the Political Left,edited by GertHekma, PhD, Harry
Oosterhuis, PhD, and JamesSteakley, PhD (Vol. 29, No. 2/3/4, 1995).“Contributors delve into
thecontoursofalong-forgottenhistory,bringingtolightnewhistoricaldataandfreshinsight....
An excellent account of the tense historical relationship between the political left and gay
liberation.” (People’s Voice)
Sex, Cells, and Same-Sex Desire: The Biology of Sexual Preference,edited by John P. DeCecco,
PhD, and David Allen Parker, MA (Vol. 28, No. 1/2/3/4, 1995).“A stellar compilation of
chapters examining the most important evidence underlying theories on the biological basis of
human sexual orientation.” (MGW)
Gay Ethics: Controversies in Outing, Civil Rights, and Sexual Science,edited by Timothy F.
Murphy, PhD (Vol. 27, No. 3/4, 1994).“The contributors bring the traditional tools of ethics
and political philosophy to bear in a clear and forceful way on issues surrounding the rights of
homosexuals.” (David L. Hull,DresslerProfessor in the Humanities, Department of Philosophy,
Northwestern University)
Gay and Lesbian Studies in Art History,edited by Whitney Davis, PhD (Vol. 27, No. 1/2, 1994).
“Informed, challenging . . . never dull. . . . Contributors take risks and, within the restrictions of
scholarly publishing, find new ways to use materials already available or examine topics never
previously explored.” (Lambda Book Report)
Critical Essays: Gay and Lesbian Writers of Color,edited by Emmanuel S. Nelson, PhD (Vol. 26,
No. 2/3, 1993).“A much-needed book, sparkling with stirring perceptions and resonating with
depth. . . . The anthology not only breaks new ground, it also attempts to heal wounds inflicted
by our oppressed pasts.” (Lambda Book Report)
GayStudiesfromtheFrenchCultures:VoicesfromFrance,Belgium,Brazil,Canada,andTheNeth-
erlands,editedbyRommelMendès-Leite,PhD,andPierre-OlivierdeBusscher,PhD(Vol.25,No.
1/2/3,1993).“ThefirstbookthatallowsanEnglish-speakingworldtohaveacomprehensivelookat
theprincipaltrendsingaystudiesinFranceandFrench-speakingcountries.”(AndréBèjin,PhD,
Directeur,deRechercheauCentreNationaldelaRechercheScientifique(CNRS),Paris)
If You Seduce a Straight Person, Can You Make Them Gay? Issues in BiologicalEssentialism
versus SocialConstructionismin Gay and Lesbian Identities,edited by John P. DeCecco,
PhD, and John P.Elia, PhD (cand.) (Vol. 24, No. 3/4, 1993).“You’ll find this alternative view of
the age old question to be one that will become the subject of many conversations to come.
Thought-provoking to say the least!” (Prime Timers)
Gay and Lesbian Studies: The Emergence of a Discipline,edited by Henry L.Minton, PhD (Vol.
24, No. 1/2, 1993).“The volume’s essays provide insight into the field’s remarkable accomplish-
ments and future goals.” (Lambda Book Report)
Homosexuality in Renaissance and Enlightenment England: Literary Representations in Histori-
cal Context,edited by Claude J. Summers, PhD (Vol. 23, No. 1/2, 1992).“It is remarkable
among studies in this field in its depth of scholarship and variety of approaches and is accessi-
ble.” (Chronique)
Coming Out of the Classroom Closet: Gay and Lesbian Students, Teachers, and Curricula,edited
by Karen M.Harbeck, PhD, JD, Recipient of Lesbian and Gay Educators Award by the Ameri-
can Educational Research Association’s Lesbian and Gay Studies Special Interest Group
(AREA) (Vol. 22, No. 3/4, 1992).“Presents recent research about gay and lesbian students and
teachers and the school system in which they function.” (Contemporary Psychology)
Homosexuality and Male Bonding in Pre-Nazi Germany: The Youth Movement, the Gay Move-
ment, and Male Bonding Before Hitler’s Rise: Original Transcripts from DerEigene, the
First Gay Journal in the World,edited by HarryOosterhuis, PhD, and Hubert Kennedy, PhD
(Vol. 22, No. 1/2, 1992).“Provide[s] insight into the early gay movement, particularly in its re-
lation to the various political currents in pre-World War II Germany.” (Lambda Book Report)
Monographs “Separates” list continued at the back
The Drag Queen Anthology:
The Absolutely Fabulous
but Flawlessly Customary World
of Female Impersonators
Steven P. Schacht, PhD
with
Lisa Underwood
Editors
TheDragQueenAnthology:TheAbsolutelyFabulousbutFlawlessly
Customary World of Female Impersonators has been co-published
simultaneouslyasJournalofHomosexuality,Volume46,Numbers3/42004.
First Published by
The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
Transferred to Digital Printing 2009 by Routledge
270 Madison Ave, New York NY 10016
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
TheDragQueenAnthology:TheAbsolutelyFabulousbutFlawlessly
Customary World of Female Impersonators has been co-published
simultaneously as Journal of Homosexuality, Volume 46, Numbers 3/4
2004.
©2004byTheHaworthPress,Inc.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisworkmaybereproducedoruti-
lizedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,microfilmandre-
cording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe
publisher.
Thedevelopment,preparation,andpublicationofthisworkhasbeenundertakenwithgreatcare.How-
ever,thepublisher,employees,editors,andagentsofTheHaworthPressandallimprintsofThe
HaworthPress,Inc.,includingTheHaworthMedicalPress®andPharmaceuticalProductsPress®,are
notresponsibleforanyerrorscontainedhereinorforconsequencesthatmayensuefromuseofmateri-
alsorinformationcontainedinthiswork.Opinionsexpressedbytheauthor(s)arenotnecessarilythose
ofTheHaworthPress,Inc.Withregardtocasestudies,identitiesandcircumstancesofindividualsdis-
cussedhereinhavebeenchangedtoprotectconfidentiality.Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,living
or dead, is entirely coincidental.
PUBLISHER’SNOTE:StevenP.Schachtpassedawayin2003.Thisvolumehasbeenpublishedpost-
humously.
Cover image provided by Manstouch.com.
Cover design byMarylouiseE. Doyle
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thedragqueenanthology:theabsolutelyfabulousbutflawlesslycustomaryworldoffemaleimper-
sonators / Steven P. Schacht, LisaUnderwood, editors.
p. cm.
“Co-published simultaneously as Journal of homosexuality, volume 46,numbers 3/4 2003."
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-56023-284-6 (hardcover :alk. paper) – ISBN 1-56023-285-4(softcover:alk. paper)
1.Transvestism.2.Transvestites.3.Femaleimpersonators.I.Schacht,StevenP.II.Under-
wood, Lisa. III. Journal of homosexuality.
HQ77.D68 2003
305.3–dc22 2003022188
Indexing, Abstracting &
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Abstracting,Website/Indexing Coverage. . . . . . . . .Year When Coverage Began
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• Gay&LesbianAbstracts<http://www.nisc.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999
• GenderWatch<http://www.slinfo.com> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999
• Higher Education Abstracts, providing the latest in research
andtheoryinmorethan140majortopics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1997
• HOMODOK/“Relevant” Bibliographic Database, Documentation
Centre for Gay & Lesbian Studies, University of Amsterdam
(selective printed abstracts in “Homologie” and bibliographic
computer databases covering cultural, historical, social &
politicalaspects)<http://www.ihlia.nl/>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995
• IBZInternational Bibliography of Periodical Literature
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• InfoTracCustom<http://www.galegroup.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1996
• International Bibliography of the Social Sciences
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• ISIWebofScience<http://www.isinet.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2003
• LEGALTRAConINFOTRACWeb
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• Lesbian Information Service
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(continued)
• MasterFILE:UpdateddatabasefromEBSCOPublishing. . . . . . . . .1995
• MEDLINE(National Library of Medicine)
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1992
• MLA International Bibliography provides a classified listing &
subject index for books & articles published on modern
languages, literatures, folklore, & linguistics. Available in print
and in several electronic versions. Indexes over 50,000
publications.<http://www.mla.org>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995
• NationalLibraryofMedicine“AbstractsSection” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999
• OCLCPublicAffairsInformationService<http://www.pais.org>. . .1982
• OmniFileFull Text:MegaEdition (available only electronically)
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• PASCAL, c/o Institute deL’InformationScientifique
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• Periodical Abstracts, Research I (general and basic reference
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• Periodical Abstracts, Research II (broad coverage indexing
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• PlanetOut“Internet site for key Gay/Lesbian Information”
<http://www.planetout.com/>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999
• PsychologicalAbstracts(PsycINFO)<http://www.apa.org> . . . . . . .2003
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• SageFamilyStudiesAbstracts(SFSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1986
• Social Sciences Abstracts & Social Sciences Full Text
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• SocialSciencesCitationIndex<http://www.isinet.com> . . . . . . . . . .1985
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• Social Sciences Index (from Volume 1 and continuing)
<http://www.hwwilson.com>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1991
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socialsciencesarea;updatedmonthly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995
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(continued)