Drag brings with it fabulous glamour, outrageous shade, gender-bending and expression, and Australia's drag alumni have truly carved a shimmering path through our cultural playbook, those finding their drag voice and persona in the present continuing to do so.
'My Drag Story' will uncorset seven queens, kings and gender-defying royals – including Event Curator Amelia Airhead, Cindy Pastel, Nana Miss Koori, Sexy Galexy and more – to reveal what's beyond the painted facade and explore the defiant nature of this unstoppable force.
Here, in accordance with the 2021 Mardi Gras theme 'RISE', 'My Drag Story' Curator Amelia Airhead (Anthony Carthew) lists five things she rises for.
One
Drag is real culture. When I started frocking up back in 1980s Adelaide, a true thespian once described drag to me as the arsehole of the entertainment industry. Well darl, I'm still here with my drag family – making people smile, and making coin. Thanks to all the venues who provide drag a voice and a stage – just don't use green stage lights, it brings out our beards.
Two
All-gender bathrooms. Tell your Abbott-loving uncle all-gender bathrooms ain't ridiculous – remind him he's been slashing into a gender-neutral dunny at home his entire life.
Three
Trans kids rock. Give 'em time – don't judge or decide for them. Protect kids from people who want to force their own religious views on them. Oh, and let's rename Margaret Court Arena to Evonne Goolagong Arena – or how about Tina Arena Arena?
Four
Keep the flag flying. After that awful same-sex marriage postal survey, a colleague suggested Mardi Gras wasn't needed anymore because the 'Yes' vote won. Given she wasn't all that rainbow aware, I gave her a leave pass and politely yet firmly rattled off a float load of reasons our wonderful folk will proudly prance up the street (or around a stadium) – every freakin’ year babes.
Five
Allies in the trenches. From Neil Blewett's HIV/AIDS leadership in the '80s to Jimmy Barnes' incredible support of the LGBTQIA+ community, including rocking Mardi Gras in chaps and blue hair with an army of leathermen, countless allies have joined us in the fight over the years – thanks bitches!
