The origin of the term “drag queen” is unclear, but it is thought to stem from the Elizabethan slang word quean, which referred to a strumpet or a prostitute according to Claude J. Summers’ “The Queer Encyclopedia of Music, Dance and Musical Theater.” Summers also said it may have come from “the extravagant drag balls of the twentieth century, a precursor to the drag shows that became associated with gay bars and nightclubs in the period between the world wars,” (89-91).

     In the 1950s and 60s low and high camp drag was popular in a time when full drag was illegal in many jurisdictions. Low camp is a style in which the queen will take old fashions and songs, emphasizing them in a funny/entertaining way. High camp in opposition is a more serious performance where a queen often idealizes and gives authentic impersonations of beloved celebrities.

     One of the most famous queens who performed in a high camp style was Charles Pierce (1926-1999) was known for his impersonations of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Other high camp performers of the time were Candy Darling (1946-1974) and Jimmy James.

     However, the drag queen culture did not flourish and fully develop into ballroom, fierceness and community until the 1980s and 90s, when queens began to shed impersonations and create their own identities and personas. Low camp drag gained momentum as gay men and other queens felt the freedom to express themselves openly.

     A significant documentary for drag queen culture was Paris is Burning, directed by Jennie Livingston. The 1990 release gave an eye-opening look into the life of the queens living in New York City. It features several queens who attend Balls in order to express themselves and the community that surrounds them.

     Today Drag Queen culture has transformed again as people become better acquainted and more understanding of the culture and community. RuPaul’s Drag Race has played a large role in this transformation.

     RuPaul, born Rupaul Andre Charles, famous for the show RuPaul’s Drag Race and the hit song Supermodel (You Better Work), was born and raised in San Diego, California, but later moved to Atlanta where he dipped his toes into the drag culture in the Now Explosion drag troupe (“punk drag”). In the early 1990s he moved to New York City where he changed to “glamour drag.” In 1998 he became “The First Face of M.A.C.” cosmetics.

     RuPaul was quoted in saying, “I do not impersonate females! How many women do you know who wear seven inch heels, four foot wigs, and skintight dresses?”

     In Southern California, most drag queen clubs and shows are in Los Angeles, but there are still a few places in Orange County where drag queens can perform including Shark Club in Costa Mesa and the Velvet Lounge in Santa Ana.

     Orange County drag queens are reported to have migrated from other parts of the United States. Hardly, any of them are actually born and raised here. They are attracted like bees to honey, to the lush, posh atmosphere of Orange County, while launching their careers into fame. The Orange County drag scene is very small, so standout queens are able to become big time names with 1,000’s of Instagram followers and fans much faster. The community is sasha fierce. They can be harsh and critical of one another, and form into exclusive cliques. Outside of their cliques they are reluctant to offer help to newbie drag queens in makeup, hair, and other drama.

     At UC Irvine, the drag community is fairly microscopic as well. There is an annual drag show that is coordinated by the Delta Lambda Phi fraternity on campus in collaboration with the Irvine Queer Organization. Queens at UC Irvine do not have a set community or group, where they can meet exclusively outside of this annual showcase.

      Although Orange County is known as a conservative region of California, its proximity to Los Angeles does not keep it completely isolated. It seems that the drag community is growing, fueled by the large presence of Ru Paul’s Drag Race filmed Los Angeles and a growing LGBTQA acceptance movement in the county.