What’s a 9-year-old drag queen to do? He’s too young to host Drag Queen Story Time at the local library, so he’s left to do shows in clubs, and apparently the demand is great. We’ve done several posts on these young drag-queens, including Canada’s “Lactatia,” but now there’s a feature documentary following the lives of four 9-year-old drag queens, and the distributors are expecting a wide release next year after an October premiere in New York.
Queerty talked to director Megan Wennberg, who followed the four prepubescent drag queen around and captured their stories on film. Wennberg says, “The trolls have lost their minds over Drag Kids with all that child abuse bullsh*t,” adding:
We discussed [gender identity] a bit. It was led by the kids, something they brought up. In Jason’s case, he’s now come out as gay. Stephan is gender-fluid. He hasn’t decided if he likes boys or likes girls or likes both, but he says there are days he feels like a boy, and days he feels like a girl. He balances accordingly. Even the scene where he’s packing his suitcase to go to Montreal, he was a boy that day and he wanted none of the drag stuff. He wasn’t packing any dresses or anything like that. It was like I’m a boy. It was all onesies and tracksuits.
[Laughter]
Bracken isn’t sure. Nemis says his pronoun hasn’t been invented yet. Which is awesome.
It’s nice that the parents love it, and in some cases encourage it, because a lot of adults are not on board.
Megan Wennberg explores when kids do drag–and the homophobia that follows–in ‘Drag Kids’ – More at: https://t.co/t6iNNu9a3B pic.twitter.com/BnvmUCRChU
— Queerty (@Queerty) October 24, 2019
Homophobia?
You think we are afraid OF the kids?
We are afraid FOR the kids you sickos.— WheelmanForHire (@WheelmanForHire) October 25, 2019
Yes, they said the homophobia that follows. If you don’t think 9-year-olds should be doing drag performances in adult clubs, you’re homophobic.
When pageant moms dress their little girls up in heavy makeup and sexualized costumes it’s abuse. When they do the same for little boys it’s “progress”. We live in the upside down. https://t.co/6qSWQmO4Wb
— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) October 25, 2019
This is child abuse and you will not shame us away from standing up to protect these kids. https://t.co/maZmaePqOp
— Chad Felix Greene ?? (@chadfelixg) October 25, 2019
I’m amazed at their ability to add “phobic” to any perversion in order to validate it.
— Pastor_DuckFan (@Pastor_DuckFan) October 25, 2019
Involving children is where I draw the line. It has nothing to do with homophobia because I would also have a problem with kids doing non-drag burlesque shows.
— Jason (@jawesomeberg) October 25, 2019
Exactly! Since when has it become okay to sexualize young boys at such a young age in society?
— Louisiana Scout (@LouisianaScout) October 25, 2019
When prepubescent kids do beauty pageants and I say it's exploitation, which phobic is that one?
— Mike (@mike4libertyCA) October 25, 2019
— Heather Hampton (@MomTo6Lambs) October 25, 2019
A horrible idea, but maybe something awful has to happen to these kids for their parents to realize the harm they’re doing. But that would probably just bolster the cause.
— Keone C (@keone_c808) October 25, 2019
Children should not be exploited for the jollies of adults. There is no positive spin for that. ?
— Kiersten (@NYsBelle) October 25, 2019
homophobia? or alarm at the sexualizing and grooming of children?
— stephanie zee fehler (@szfehler) October 25, 2019
Breaking: Standing firm against child abuse is homophobia. Always good to know the new rules.
— Chuck (@CharlieKnob) October 25, 2019
I love Drag Race, but Drag is clearly a very sexualised art form and doesn't belong anywhere near children, let alone be performed by one. You need a developed sexuality do even understand it, this is just child abuse.
— Sascha M. (@munchenhagen) October 25, 2019
It isn't "homophobia" to think that a child should look like a child. I would object if a little girl was all dolled up like that. The point is that children are being sexualized and it is wrong.
— carolyn tackett (@CarolsCloset) October 25, 2019
Are you sure this is the take you want to go with? ?♀️ I don’t believe that homosexuals are okay with exploiting children. ALL children need to be protected. Even ones who think they may be the opposite sex. Yes, ALL. This is not homophobia.
— Chica'sBailBonds (@irinamoises) October 25, 2019
This is wrong, very wrong
— Hey.Angel (@SupAngelR) October 25, 2019
KIDS DOING DRAG SHOULD NOT BE A "THING". PERIOD.
— Indignant Imp (@ImpIndignant) October 25, 2019
— G (@coffeemama91) October 26, 2019
This is the same back lash my 10 year old niece got when she started topless pole dancing at the club down the street. Can't we just let these kids be who they are and express themselves in any way they want?
— Valdamar (@ramadlav) October 25, 2019
It’s telling that you can’t see the difference between “homophobia” and people having genuine concern with the sexualization of children. But, then again, perhaps drag and pedophilia are just entwined and you can’t tell the difference between right and wrong.
— Rational is cool (@RFootball08) October 25, 2019
They can see it. They know what they’re doing. They’re hoping they can shame you enough by calling you a homophobe that you’ll shut up and ignore what they’re doing. It’s all a lie and a scam.
— Chica'sBailBonds (@irinamoises) October 25, 2019
Sadly, the whole movement seems to be gaining mainstream traction: first, there are puff pieces in places like Elle, then appearances on “Good Morning America,” and now a feature documentary, which hopefully will never make it to wide release.
Related:
What was that about exploitation? Now VICE Canada is celebrating the next generation of drag queens https://t.co/uWoO9tG6hw
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) June 6, 2019
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