Dear Tranny: Drag 101

Posted on April 20, 2009 
Filed Under Dear Tranny

Advice is a drag, unless you’re seeking guidance from Culturcosm’s campy counselor. Looking for insider know-how on making the best of the Bay? Dear Tranny has just what you need and she always gives it up. Penned by Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n't.deartranny_masthead
Vol. 3: Drag 101

Dear Tranny,

I am a huge fan of drag in San Francisco. I love you and Miso Hornay, both representing the Asian community, as well as the Duchess Landa Lakes. I am Chinese and a biological girl with the spirit of a drag queen. How could I get started in drag? Is there an audition for the House of Glitter?

LesbAsian Fatale

Dear LesbAsian,

Thank you for your sweet words. It is a quite an honor for me to be representing my Asian sistahs.

The most important tip I can give you is that drag is a state of mind. And from what I am hearing, that’s the only state of mind you got! You belong to that rare breed of drag called “faux queens,” biological women who impersonate a man impersonating a woman. It’s all very Victor/Victoria, my dragling.

I was adopted into the House of Glitter in 2007. Both my tranny granny Landa Lakes and drag mom Pollo Del Mar taught me how to “paint.” Shortly after, I began to perform. But know it’s not essential to have a drag mother or belong to a drag house. It’s really all about what you make your drag to be.

San Francisco’s drag culture is unique and quite different from most I’ve encountered. In many parts of the country, it’s more about the art of female illusion —being PF (passably female)— and traditional pageant life. I consider drag in San Francisco to be a bit more rough. What we lack in being traditional, we make up for with avant-garde and cutting edge performances, which was always a signature at the now retired, Trannyshack. But luckily, these types of performances can still be seen at Charlie Horse, The Monster Show, and the new Mary-Go-Round show, Wednesday nights at The Lookout.

Drag is a special and integral part of San Francisco’s history and current social climate. To me, it represents what life in The City is all about— accepting and embracing all our diversity. So, to those of you who are about to give face, I salute you. Never let that mascara run.

And remember, Tranny knows best.

xoxo
Sandra

Have a question about Bay-area life that’s fit for a queen? Email Sandra at deartranny@culturcosm.com.

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Comments

3 Responses to “Dear Tranny: Drag 101”

  1. Lil Miss Hot Mess on April 20th, 2009 10:50 am

    Hey girl! Loving yr column already! xo.

  2. Ran on April 20th, 2009 9:31 pm

    Sweet Sandra, way cool. Congratulations. Now don’t go selling my email address. Now in all honest, this site looks to be filling a space like no other.

  3. Paul on April 22nd, 2009 2:12 am

    Oh, Snip! She’s a journalist now too?

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