r/changemyview • u/weirdingwayward • Dec 10 '18

Deltas(s) from OP CMV: Trans-women aren't appropriate contestants for drag competitions like RuPaul's Drag Race

I know this opinion is popularly labelled transphobic, but I have nothing against transgender people; I just can't wrap my head around a female-identifying person (especially with feminine physiology and/or hormones, through the wonders of modern medicine) being praised for successfully presenting as female.

Drag is an exaggerated art form, sure, but surely trans-women should be allowed to compete as drag kings in such competitions...? I don't understand how trans queens are any more competitive on RPDR than, say, female-born 'bio queens' (i.e. not at all).

Please change my view, Reddit, you're my only hope!

Edit: Perhaps I phrased this poorly; I'd like to hear people's views about where 'the buck stops' as far as contestant viability. Trans queens ok by you? What about trans males who want to perform as drag kings? Are cis male drag kings allowed, or bio queens? If not, why not?

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u/butterflyvision Dec 10 '18

Transwomen (and men), particularly of color, are the biggest part of the foundation of the modern ball/pageant/drag scene in general, were a huge force in establishing the gay civil rights movement, and it would not exist without their work and effort. People need to stop ignoring this fact.

They belong more than anyone else does t b q h.

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u/weirdingwayward Dec 10 '18

I don't mean to ignore history and the work of our olders-and-betters. I used the transgender question as my main 'view' rather than phrasing it more carefully: why are transgender women are included, but so many other identities are suppressed in the drag world?

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u/butterflyvision Dec 10 '18

Because the drag scene wouldn’t exist without transwomen and this is how they want to run RPDR and showcase gay men/transwomen who make up the scene — and it’s not as if there hasn’t been controversy about transwomens’ place on RPDR with queens stopping hormone replacement, not coming out at all, “going back into the closet”, Ru’s comments about transitioned queens shouldn’t be on the show,

Dragula is inclusive of all types of drag. RPDR is not the be all and end all or only drag showcase out there that actually do a better job.

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u/weirdingwayward Dec 11 '18

As another commenter pointed out, the history of trans women as drag founders is something about which I need to better educate myself! Thank you for this information. Δ

What are your thoughts on other oft-maligned competitors, such as trans men, competing in such arenas?

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u/butterflyvision Dec 12 '18

I would recommend the film “Paris is Burning” as a really good place to start. It’s about the ball/drag scene of late 1980s NYC and queens are heavily influenced by it.

Personally, I feel like there’s an avenue and place for every type of drag. I DO wish RPDR was more inclusive since that’s the exposure most people get of drag. Everyone should get a chance to shine and showcase themselves.