Conclusion
This research has fleshed out my understanding of drag as an art form. As silly and entertaining as it is, there is much more to it than just dressing up for fun. Drag highlights the performativity of gender, a living example of Butler’s theory of performativity. It has the ability to deconstruct gender, beauty standards and societal power structures through a format that is entertaining and accessible. It asks the audience to simultaneously believe and disbelieve in it, knowing that we are being shown something that is ultimately fake, yet still a true expression of something the performer is feeling (Still Watching Netflix, 2021, 16:03). It offers a place of exploration and liberation, not just for the performers, but also for those who are observing. For someone going into a queer space and feeling in some way insecure about themselves, seeing a drag performer being outrageous on stage can be incredibly relieving and liberating (Jovčić-Sas, 2022). Sometimes drag asks an audience to celebrate something they have been conditioned to disapprove of, and within that celebration, the performer may also be deconstructing their own conditioning and beliefs. The project, despite an uncertain start, has most certainly met its aims. I have learned more than I expected, both about the art form and about myself. The creation of this film has helped me find joy in my identity and in celebrating drag in all its forms.