Porthole

Drag me... [18+]

PART 1

“I was surrounded and immersed in a culture that I’ve never been immersed in, and one of the things in ministry, if you want to involve people different than yourself in your ministry, you have to go to where people different than you are,” he said. “The invitation to be part of the show allowed me that.”

Craig Duke, a pastor at the Newburgh United Methodist Church in Newburgh, Indiana, a small town near the Kentucky border, performed alongside "drag mother" O'Hara in an episode that aired on Nov. 8.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pastor-who-performed-in-drag-on-hbo-s-we-re-he...

NBC article by Jo Yurcaba



My thoughts. Kudos to Rev. Duke on understanding how important it is to meet people where they are. I'm seldom that brave.

For me to understand the world I need to get out of my comfort zone. As much as I travel I withdraw from certain interactions. I don't like bars or overly exuberant touchy people. I do like hugs but not people trying to drag me into their private party. I'm introverted in that way. I feel very uncomfortable among certain Christians for that exact reason. Ecstasy can be a dangerous drug imho, whether it's a drug like MDMA or an emotional or religious frenzy or trance-like state.

So, yes, I've been to a couple drag shows but it's usually a bar scene and that's not my preferred cup of tea.

PART 2

Me? I've never done 'drag' although I have performed my poem "I, Katrina"  with a sceptre and crown.

Why not? I don't feel comfortable. It takes a lot of audacity (chutzpah?) to get up in front of an audience. One must be vulnerable... and I've never been willing to pay that price. I've always valued authenticity and any role that 'isn't me' is problematic, especially if it's farcical comedy. A sad role? Maybe I could do that. For instance, there's a lot of pathos in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".

In my writings my characters take on roles; but, few are satirical or mocking. It's what bothered me most about DJT... a sneering mocking leader does not amuse me even if it delights juvenile Americans raised on name-calling and bullying.

It's also why I don't like certain types of comedy.

PART 3

Drag can be freeing as any role-playing can be. It's helpful to explore one's own identity and embrace other ways of expression. In cultures of strict gender roles (the US and Middle East more than Europe and Asia) it can be problematic, but not a problem for me as long as I can be 'just me'.

Charlie Darling as Flo (2008):



And then there are Tina's ninjas...

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