#drag kings

[animentality]

[dragkingsrule]

Joh Lala, Paris-based drag king

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Artist links: Instagram

[butchqueersapphic]

Japanese actress and male impersonator, Kawaji Ryuko. Ryuko was the star of Shochiku Kagekidan Women's Theater (Shochiku Revue) in the 1940s and 50s

[genderqueerdykes]

"drag kings are boring, they just look like normal guys." this is not true for all drag kings, but it is only boring to you because you have failed to realize that manhood and masculinity also require constant over-performance around the clock, especially with strangers you don't even plan on getting to know.

these things look "normal and dull" to certain folks because they haven't had to live through what it's like to have to literally perform manhood for every single person you meet, because it's expected of you to be stoic, strong, and "manly," and a lot of that is reflected in clothing and personal grooming as well. our society has such a rigid view of manhood that there is basically no wiggle room for personal expression in interests and activities that are not traditionally "manly". men are told they are not men if they do not uphold these traits.

this is a performance.

gender is a performance no matter what you identify as. men and mascs have to over-perform manhood as well, just as women have to, trans or cis.

[faggotfungus]

The Drag King Book by Judith "Jack" Halberstam with photography by Del LaGrace Volcano. (1999) [PDF]

[queermasculine]

Actress Gina Cormani en travesti (in drag) with unknown woman, 1912. National Portrait Gallery, London

[who-canceled-roger-rabbit]

We need more drag KING story hours

[zoi-no-miko]

If you haven't seen Landon Cider's David drag, you're missing out.

[shaylogic]

I just realized there's something I need more than anything else in the world

And it's to see a ton of drag kings perform the I'm Just Ken song together

Also Sam Smith's "Man I Am"!!!!!!

[haystarlight]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lei (@_ina.pickle_)

I figured Tumblr would appreciate this video of a drag king looking sexy af as Puss in Boots

[transfaguette]

i just lose my mind every time someone insinuates women or "women" wearing pants or w/e is a masculine thing. Like I would agree the acceptable range of fashion for ppl perceived as women is more lenient than of ppl perceived as men, but ultimately that just means those articles of clothing are acceptably feminine enough!!!! Most of the time that acceptability comes with cuts designed to fit feminine fashion standards; and like, a woman wearing a MEN'S suit is treated very differently than a woman wearing a suit designed for women's fashion.

[dragkingsrule]

Derek Toro, Tokyo-based drag king

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Artist links: Instagram

[butchqueersapphic]

Before Lady Gaga’s brief and short king alter-ego, Jo Calderone, was made famous for performing Yoü and I at the 2011 MTV music video awards, he made his public debut in the “Elegant Mechanics” feature Vogue Hommes Japan just a year before, shot by Nick Knight. Here we learn the little origin story of this humble car mechanic from Sicily, who loves Frank Sinatra and working for his dad’s business, when he’s not getting busted for pissing in public. Wonder what he’s up to now? We miss him. Thx to ladygaga.fandom.com for the scans.

[queeraroace]

Some of my favorite pictures from The Drag King Book by Del LaGrace Volcano and J. Jack Halberstam

[high-quality-tiktoks]

A lesbian step up love story.📝

[lawofcollage]

This is known as the drag pride flag, which felt really relevant to share given the state of things.