"Drag is like Gremlin, you throw water and they multiply." This was one of the jokes that went around at the end of the 80s and beginning of the 90s, when the drag queen boom took place, seen by some as a passing phenomenon.
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Colorful, exaggerated, irreverent and even portrayed in cinema classics, drag queens emerged in Brazil among artists who were already working with the art of transformism.
Fifteen years later, they are still there, glamorous and full of strength in their wigs. And the Valentini presenting. And the Alexia Twistter being praised by Gaga. And the Stefany di Bourbon and Suzy Brasil causing a fit of laughter! And the Tchaka, Dindry e Sissi in telegrams. And the Dimmi Kieer at BBB!
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With an incredible variety in performances and activism, drag queens have gained a prominent place in LGBT culture and the movement. And, to celebrate International Drag Queen Day this Thursday (16), the THE CAPE selected 10 historical drag queens for you to remember, satisfy your nostalgia and, if you're from the new generation, get to know them.
Let's think beyond the amazing RuPaul, okay? Let's go!
MÁRCIA PANTERA
Considered the Queen of Bate-Cabelo, Márcia from São Paulo has over 25 years of career and really daring performances, with pirouettes, cartwheels and "little things…". She is still active to this day and has a lot of hair.
LORNA WHASHINGTON
A Rio icon, she preceded the drag movement and satirized Brazilian divas, such as Maria Bethânia and Elza Soares. She witnessed and was part of the cast of the first houses aimed at the LGBT public. She is still active and even made a cameo in Salve Jorge.
DIVINE
The North American was a singer, actress and extremely bold and underground. In one of John Waters' films, Pink Flamingos (1972), she even ate dog feces. She inspired many Brazilian women… she died in 1988 at the age of 42.
KAKA DI POLLY
Historic drag from São Paulo, has a unique figure inspired by Divine. She also had an important participation in the São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade: present at the first demonstration, she allegedly lay down on the street of Av. Paulista, preventing police officers from stopping the demonstration.
VERONICA
One of the most famous drag queens in São Paulo, Veronika began her career at the Nostromundo club in 1992, performing in practically every venue in the city. She was elected the best drag performer of the night in São Paulo three times in a row at the Melhores da Noite Ilustrada award, by Erika Palomino. She died in 2007.
LOLA BATALHÃO
The character of artist Arthur Araújo de Moura Filho was the face of Carnival and gay nightlife in Rio. She was colorful, she was accompanied by magical boys and she managed to carry off her drag makeup even with a mustache! He died in 2014 at the age of 58, a victim of lung complications.
PLUS! ISABELITA DOS PATINS
The Argentinean living in Brazil made history in the 90s when she starred in a photo kissing Fernando Henrique Cardoso, then president of Brazil, on the cheek. A figure at parties and carnivals, she always appears serelepe on roller skates. She even had a children's book.
PLUS2: RUBYA BITTENCOURT
An important figure on the LGBT scene, he promotes talent, good humor and art in the performances he performs in nightclubs. With a lot of strength in the wig, it continues to go from strength to strength!
PLUS 3: Tchaka
Considered Queen of Parties, Tchaka is a media personality, a fanatic, an activist and is on several TV shows. After 15 years on the road, she was a presenter at the SP LGBT Pride Parade. Currently she works with animated telegrams.
PLUS 4: Rose Bonbon
The drag performed by Pedro Paulo da Costa was one of the best known and admired in Rio de Janeiro. And he made history in the caricature scene. He died at the end of 2011 after a massive heart attack, leaving a legacy and reference for drag humor.
PLUS 5: Drag Squad
Formed by the incredible Dindry Buck, Sissi Girl, Nyna Ca$h, Send Buck and Cindy Cristal, the group is always fighting against homophobia and transphobia. With humor, lightness and a lot of art, they bring awareness and respect to the young people of São Paulo. They also act in animated telegrams!
PLUS 6: LYSA BOMBOM
She is an icon of LGBT nightlife, having been voted the best drag queen of the year several times in several polls. With impeccable makeup and a devastating performance, she leaves her name marked in the history of drag culture.
PLUS 7: SUZY BRAZIL
If you haven't seen a Suzy performance, you don't know the laughs you're missing. One of the most hilarious drag queens in Rio de Janeiro, she mesmerizes audiences with her moves, improvisation and quick humor. It is no coincidence that she is the "goddess of the circular rock".
Note2: Some artists who may be missed do not define themselves as drag queens. They are transforming artists.
Note3: The list is not a ranking and does not intend to elect the most important drag queens in history. It's just one of the several subjects we do with the group and a way to talk about some names at this time. Anyone who wants to see other drag queens can leave a comment, which we will include in the future.
