“You betta’ werk darling!": Analyzing the Cultural Phenomenon of RuPaul’s Drag Race

• In Event: 1466 - Section on the Sociology of Sexualities Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 6. Queer Perspectives on Sexualities

Abstract

This paper will apply Weiss’ theory of circuits of sexuality to the cultural phenomenon of RuPaul’s Drag Race and argue that drag race is embedded in and reinforces capitalist cultural formations that enforce social inequality. Drag race, a popular televised reality competition is a microcosm of the drag world. I challenge conceptualizations of drag as subversive as they apply to drag race, and argue that it reinforces and normalizes unequal racial, gender, and sexuality stereotypes. Therefore, drag race is limited in its ability to be subversive and ultimately reinforces hegemonic social norms. Drag race, operates within a circuitry that allows for the creation and production of culture within its practices while embedded in society and subject to and influenced by the dominant power structures within society. It operates under capitalism and is embedded in and reproduces hegemonic social norms which marginalize queer, non-binary, people of colour. Drag race is an example of how within perceived realms of fantasy and escapism, subversion is limited, as drag race is subject to hegemonic norms and capitalist structures. Drag race is embedded within capitalism and is a biopolitical project, as drag queens become fetishized, commodified, and produce forms of bodily knowledge. Drag race contains elements of subversion for drag as an art form, however, ultimately exists under and reproduces systems of inequality, privilege, and power, which marginalizes queer, non-binary, people of colour. Drag race simultaneously operates as a circuit and enacts a duality of being subversive while being influenced by reinforcing systems of inequality and productive of culture (Weiss 2011:7). Drag race, much like BDSM communities, operates within a dialectical circuit which produces new cultures and subjectivities, while in tandem, reproduces and reinforces social inequality while containing elements of subversion.

Author

• Jennifer Peruniak, University of Toronto