The Difference

[Oni]

I know this has been asked once before. But damn'd if I can find it.

What is the difference between Transvestite and Drag Queen?

[darkwolf994]

Transvestites arn't as open? I'm just making a guess

[Oni]

Honestly I have no bloody clue. Maybe Queens have to be gay or something. That's the only real conclusion I can come to.

[Jim Powlaski]

do the queens only do it on weekends an such? and the others all the time???

[Fox]

"Transvestite" is a more general term, referring to anyone who wears clothing made for the opposite sex.  I'm not really sure what that means nowadays with the trend for emofags to wear girly pants and all... but we can safely say that a dude in a skirt is a transvestite anyways.

Here are a few differences between (male) transvestites and drag queens that I see, but it's only based on limited observations, since I've never actually met a drag queen and spoken to one about it:

1.  A (good) drag queen could pass as a woman, at least as far as appearance goes.  Using obvious examples, we can compare Eddie Izzard (transvestite) to RuPaul (drag queen).  Personally, I don't think Eddie Izzard looks back in womens' clothing, makeup and whatever, but I don't think he really passes as a women, just a guy that looks good in womens' clothes.  RuPaul on the other hand, I believe could pass as a woman when he's in drag.

2.  I think transvestites tend to stick with more typical womens' clothing, while drag queens can go over the top, sometimes wearing things that most woman probably wouldn't, or at least not often.  This could range from really weird stuff, to just very extravagant, glamorous stuff

3.  I think part of drag is in the performance, whether it's on stage or in everyday life.  They create drag personae, with their own drag name, style and personality.  The personality may not even have to be different from their own, but some parts could be more exaggerated than normal.

I'm not really sure what the real difference is, I don't think there is an accepted standard or anything.  It's just one of those things that's open to personal interpretation, kinda like how people have different ideas of what classifies as "bisexual" or whatever.

[Cilia Killick]

Here's my understanding of the differences from what I've read about them so far..

Drag Queens are more so professional than Transvestites. They dress up as women and perform in public places mainly for entertainment, fun and money. So they don't necessarily have an inherent desire to dress up as females, they mainly impersonate them because it's a 'job' they do well.

In contrast, TVs have deeper psychological reasons to dress up as they do, possibly because of a sexual identity crisis. For them, crossdressing is an intimate, personal act that they get sort of gratification or pleasure from.

Look at it from this point of view. TV is more of a lifestyle, while Drag Queen-ing is more of a livelihood.

Hope that helped clear things up! =D

[Oni]

I am confused then.

What am I.


I do it for fun, entertainment, because I enjoy it, and so on.


I don't do weekend performances though. I do enjoy entertaining.

[Cilia Killick]

Hmm..sounds more like DQ to me. But you should talk to some of em and see what they say, I think they'll be the ones that'll help you understand it best

[Fox]

I am confused then.

What am I.

I do it for fun, entertainment, because I enjoy it, and so on.

I don't do weekend performances though. I do enjoy entertaining.

You don't wear makeup, you don't act any different, and you don't really wear womens' clothing, just clothes sold to women, so at best you're a transvestite (Hello Kitty PJs isn't really drag), but more likely you're just "a dude who likes wearing panties"

[Oni]

Not really sure how to take that.


Isn't there another word I am not finding?

[Keph]

How about "Unique"?

I find that labels are very unattractive to have, as others tend to judge based on that label. I like to keep it simple: you are you.

[Oni]

Personally I prefer Eccentric.
Fox and I are after all an anomaly in the community.

[Oni]

RuPaul ... Drag Queen.

Eddie Izzard.... Does it for show... So is he a Queen or a TV? and if he's a TV is a flat screen or a Jumbotron?

[Oni]

Drag Queen?
Transvestite?
Or just Cat.

I don't think I am Queen or a Transvestite. I simply am. I like the "Effeminate look" not the .... Tranny or Draggy look. I hope that makes sense. If it makes sense please let me know. Though for my first time in Make up. My Friend did an awesome job. Though DAMNED if I can get the eye liner out. and people at work are teasing me for it. Course it makes my eyes "POP" *giggles*

[Akballr]

Your right. Your not a Drag Queen. Your just a Queen.