This book of course is primarily what it says it is- drag and drag queen driven but a history section is included. Pictures and mentions of Native American "3rd gender" individuals are included among others.
I vividly remember when I found this book in an out of the way bookstore in Columbus way back then, my thoughts on the basic drag queen premise of all of this being an act to them. My problem I somehow knew none of this my so called transvestite activity was an act or an hobby as it was called.
It has only been recently I have been able to step back and take a look at the process and am reasonably sure most people around me view me as a real live transgender person. My hair stylist (the Magician) is a recent example. Both of the owners of the salon she works at and I go to are founding entertainers in a drag group called The Rubi Girls. On a recent visit she was chatting about how much work the entertainers put into a rare show. (They only perform an estimated 3 or 4 times a year for charity.)
I said I understood of course and mentioned the magic of stage makeup, padding and big hair on an audience. But both of us knew I was a different species and really have always been. I also talked of being able to do drag again on my terms.
Someone whom I will not quote directly said something to the effect we are all are born naked and any clothing we wear is drag. True but- the problem with with transgender or transsexual women or men, is we just don't deal with a gender mismatch on the outside. No amount of makeup, wigs or padding is going to make everything right.
The "Drag Dairies" book was fun as it took me back through my transition liberation process plus gave me a chance to thank the forces above I have made it this far!
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