Teh One Who Knocks
07-22-2015, 11:38 AM
Harry Readhead for Metro.co.uk
http://i.imgur.com/RVFwRjK.jpg
A Pride event has banned drag queens from performing in case they ‘offend’ trans people.
Free Pride Glasgow, which takes place next month and advertises itself as an ‘anti-commercialist’ alternative to the city’s main Pride event, decided that drag queens – closely associated with Pride celebrations for most of their history – would not be welcome to perform.
In a statement outlining the reasons for the ban, Free Pride Glasgow said it was concerned that trans people or those questioning their gender might feel ‘uncomfortable’ should drag queens perform.
‘It was felt by the group within the Trans/Non Binary Caucus that some drag performance, particularly cis drag, hinges on the social view of gender and making it into a joke, however transgender individuals do not feel as though their gender identity is a joke,’ the group said.
‘This can particularly difficult for those who are not out and still present as the gender they were assigned at birth. While it was discussed whether we could have trans drag acts perform, it was agreed that as it would not be appropriate to ask any prospective drag acts whether or not they identified as trans.’
Pride Glasgow said they understood the rationale behind the decision, but said that the banning of drag acts was ‘against what an inclusive event should be about.’
‘Pride Glasgow had a similar discussion back in 2010 over how Drag could cause discomfort to people however we took the decision that Drag Queens and Kings play an important part in the history of the Pride movement and should be included within the event,’ it told Pink News.
http://i.imgur.com/RVFwRjK.jpg
A Pride event has banned drag queens from performing in case they ‘offend’ trans people.
Free Pride Glasgow, which takes place next month and advertises itself as an ‘anti-commercialist’ alternative to the city’s main Pride event, decided that drag queens – closely associated with Pride celebrations for most of their history – would not be welcome to perform.
In a statement outlining the reasons for the ban, Free Pride Glasgow said it was concerned that trans people or those questioning their gender might feel ‘uncomfortable’ should drag queens perform.
‘It was felt by the group within the Trans/Non Binary Caucus that some drag performance, particularly cis drag, hinges on the social view of gender and making it into a joke, however transgender individuals do not feel as though their gender identity is a joke,’ the group said.
‘This can particularly difficult for those who are not out and still present as the gender they were assigned at birth. While it was discussed whether we could have trans drag acts perform, it was agreed that as it would not be appropriate to ask any prospective drag acts whether or not they identified as trans.’
Pride Glasgow said they understood the rationale behind the decision, but said that the banning of drag acts was ‘against what an inclusive event should be about.’
‘Pride Glasgow had a similar discussion back in 2010 over how Drag could cause discomfort to people however we took the decision that Drag Queens and Kings play an important part in the history of the Pride movement and should be included within the event,’ it told Pink News.