Drag Gender: Experiences of Gender for Gay and Queer Men who Perform Drag

Levitt, Heidi M.; Surace, Francisco I.; Wheeler, Emily E.; Maki, Erik D.; Alcántara, Darcy; Cadet, Melanie; Cullipher, Steven; Desai, Sheila; Sada, Gabriel Garza; Hite, John E.; Kosterina, Elena; Krill, Sarah C.; Lui, Charles Y.; Manove, Emily E.; Martin, Ryan J.; Ngai, Courtney

doi:10.1007/s11199-017-0802-7

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Across our research, participants described the subversiveness and deep gratification of developing sets of signs in a community that accepted and prized parts of themselves that historically had been shamed. Former perceived weaknesses were transformed into social power; that which was internalized as a site of rejection became a source of pride (e.g., Levitt, Horne, et al, 2017;Levitt et al, 2018).…”

Section: Sexual Function: Gender As the Erotic Embodiment Of Prior Shmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In genderqueer-affirming contexts, drag tended not to be only about enacting femininity but about resisting binaries as well (Levitt et al, 2018). For instance, performers might engage in gender play and demonstrate fluidity within performances or radically combine feminine masculine signifiers, such as wearing heels and a dress while exposing body hair.…”

Section: Sexual Function: Gender As the Erotic Embodiment Of Prior Shmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I simplified findings in order to synthesize the 15 studies that led to my theory described here. I have focused on the positive developmental functions of LGBTQþ genders and not as much on the fact that stereotypes can generate problematic expectations, both external and internal to LGBTQþ communities (e.g., Devor, 1989;Levitt & Hiestand, 2004;Levitt et al, 2015Levitt et al, , 2018. All gender identities can be both freeing and constraining.…”

Section: Limitations and Strengthsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures

Levitt

2019

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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In this invited article, I present an inclusive theory of gender that clarifies its interconnections with gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality. To support this functionalist theory, I summarize findings from an extensive body of mixed methods research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) genders in the United States. I use a feminist-intersectional lens to empirically base and historically situate a theory of gender that is grounded in research of LGBTQ+ communities (butch, femme, bear, leathermen, transgender, drag queens, and family/house systems). I define genders as either sets of personal qualities within a culture associated with physiological sex or sets of qualities that evolve in reaction to limitations of existing genders. The evolution of genders functions to meet needs in four domains: (1) psychological: an experience of fit between a core aspect of self and a gender construct; (2) cultural: the creation of an LGBTQ+ culture that asserts sets of gender characteristics, which were denied and stigmatized within preexisting cultural norms; (3) interpersonal: the communicating of affiliation and status to enhance safety; and (4) sexual: an erotic embodiment of signifiers of these needs via an aesthetic that structures sexual attraction. I detail how each function affects identity, security, belonging, and personal and social values. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/page/pwq/suppl/index

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Section: Sexual Function: Gender As the Erotic Embodiment Of Prior Shmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sexual Function: Gender As the Erotic Embodiment Of Prior Shmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Limitations and Strengthsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures

Levitt

2019

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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“…There have been some researches about drag dancers or men dancers who perform themselves as women. Levitt et al (2018) have investigated how drag performers negotiate with society's stigma about QGBT (Queer, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender). Levitt et al (2018) show how those performers are then categorized into high or low status in their research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Levitt et al (2018) have investigated how drag performers negotiate with society's stigma about QGBT (Queer, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender). Levitt et al (2018) show how those performers are then categorized into high or low status in their research. Although Levitt's research also addresses the issue of 'othering', but this research does not explore the way how the drag dancers cope with that problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Sphere: A Site to Negotiate the Image of Lengger Banyumas

Fatmawaty

Alim

2020

Lingua Cultura

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The research aimed at investigating how Lengger used the virtual sphere to negotiate their image to society. LenggerBanyumas was always stereotyped with the discourse of Queer, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (QGBT). Therefore, it ledto gender discrimination, not only on the stage but also in their daily life. Consequently, in this 4.0 era, Lengger neededto use social media in order to create a different image as an alternative way to negotiate the dancer’s gender identity.The method applied was Hine’s virtual ethnography method by applying Habermas theory. Respondents were interviewed virtually through video conference. Meanwhile, the data were collected through their Instagram. The results show that Lengger constructs their image on social media to produce an image by performing double-identity; they are feminine on the stage and masculine in real life. The first identity is a feminine dancer to reveal the image of a professional drag dancer from Banyumas. However, Lengger elaborates the masculine identity in their dance performance by wearing the attribute of female dancers. Meanwhile, Lengger also reveals masculine identity in their real life. As identity is fluid, it indicates that the image will also never be fixed. Thus, this image is reproduced constantly in the virtual sphere as a negotiation towards society’s stereotyping.

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Lip-Syncing for Our Lives: Queering Dissent in Queer & Now a Lip-Sync Spectacular

Lefevre

2021

The Palgrave Handbook of Queer and Trans Feminisms in Contemporary Performance

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Drag Gender: Experiences of Gender for Gay and Queer Men who Perform Drag

Cited by 18 publications

References 47 publications

A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures

A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures

Virtual Sphere: A Site to Negotiate the Image of Lengger Banyumas

Lip-Syncing for Our Lives: Queering Dissent in Queer & Now a Lip-Sync Spectacular

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