Drag Performers’ Perspectives on the Mainstreaming of British Drag: Towards a Sociology of Contemporary Drag

Authors: McCormack, M. and Wignall, L.

Journal: Sociology

Volume: 56

Issue: 1

Pages: 3-20

eISSN: 1469-8684

ISSN: 0038-0385

DOI: 10.1177/00380385211008387

Abstract:

Drag performance has entered mainstream British culture and is gaining unprecedented appreciation and recognition, yet no sociological accounts of this transformation exist. Using an inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 25 drag performers, alongside netnography of media and other public data, this article develops a sociological understanding of the mainstreaming of drag. There are two clear reasons for the success of drag. First, there is a pull towards drag: it is now seen as a viable career opportunity where performers receive fame rather than social stigma in a more inclusive social zeitgeist, even though the reality is more complex. Second, there is a push away from other creative and performing arts because heteronormative perspectives persist through typecasting and a continued professional stigma associated with drag. In calling for a sociology of drag, future avenues for research on contemporary drag are discussed, alongside the need for the sociology of cultural and creative industries to incorporate sexuality as both a subject and analytic lens.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35249/

Source: Scopus

Drag Performers' Perspectives on the Mainstreaming of British Drag: Towards a Sociology of Contemporary Drag

Authors: McCormack, M. and Wignall, L.

Journal: SOCIOLOGY-THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Volume: 56

Issue: 1

Pages: 3-20

eISSN: 1469-8684

ISSN: 0038-0385

DOI: 10.1177/00380385211008387

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35249/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Drag performers’ perspectives on the mainstreaming of British drag: Towards a sociology of contemporary drag

Authors: McCormack, M. and Wignall, L.

Journal: Sociology

Publisher: SAGE

ISSN: 0038-0385

Abstract:

Drag performance has entered mainstream British culture and is gaining unprecedented appreciation and recognition, yet no sociological accounts of this transformation exist. Using an inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 25 drag performers, alongside netnography of media and other public data, this article develops a sociological understanding of the mainstreaming of drag. There are two clear reasons for the success of drag. First, there is a pull towards drag: it is now seen as viable career opportunity where performers receive fame rather than social stigma in a more inclusive social zeitgeist, even if the reality is more complex. Second, there is a push away from other creative and performing arts because heteronormative perspectives persist through typecasting and a continued professional stigma associated with drag. In calling for a sociology of drag, future avenues for research on contemporary drag are discussed, alongside the need for the sociology of cultural and creative industries to incorporate sexuality as both a subject and analytic lens.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35249/

Source: Manual

Drag performers’ perspectives on the mainstreaming of British drag: Towards a sociology of contemporary drag

Authors: McCormack, M. and Wignall, L.

Journal: Sociology

Volume: 56

Issue: 1

Pages: 3-20

ISSN: 0038-0385

Abstract:

Drag performance has entered mainstream British culture and is gaining unprecedented appreciation and recognition, yet no sociological accounts of this transformation exist. Using an inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 25 drag performers, alongside netnography of media and other public data, this article develops a sociological understanding of the mainstreaming of drag. There are two clear reasons for the success of drag. First, there is a pull towards drag: it is now seen as viable career opportunity where performers receive fame rather than social stigma in a more inclusive social zeitgeist, even if the reality is more complex. Second, there is a push away from other creative and performing arts because heteronormative perspectives persist through typecasting and a continued professional stigma associated with drag. In calling for a sociology of drag, future avenues for research on contemporary drag are discussed, alongside the need for the sociology of cultural and creative industries to incorporate sexuality as both a subject and analytic lens.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35249/

volume:%2056%20issue:%201,%20page(s):%203-20

Source: BURO EPrints