MetaChat - Ask MeChat... anyone in the drag queen scene around here?

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15 April 2009

Ask MeChat... anyone in the drag queen scene around here? →[More:]Please forgive me, I intend absolutely no offence... I am editing a screenplay that revolves around a group of gay-transvestite-drag queens. I understand these are not synonymous, but the screenplay doesn't, so again please do not take offence. A lot of this thing revolves around the nightclub where they put on their drag shows.

A lot of the characters are very flamboyant queen types, and a lot of the dialogue includes difficult to translate slang. Although I am a native English speaker, my experience in this social setting is extremely limited.

Anyone know of an online resource that basically lists / describes the jargon / slang of this social group?

post by: Meatbomb at: 03:19 | 5 comments

Depending on where and when your scenes are set, you might want to look into Polari slang. Then there's more modern stuff (which seems mostly US-based). Failing that, you might want to sit down with a couple of drag movies and search for inspiration.

Sounds like a very interesting project!

posted by ninazer0 15 April | 05:26

ninazer0 - it is contemporary, and although set in Sofia I think the script is being shopped around for potential US buyers, so it would need to "work" for North America circa 2000s.

Thank you, the second link is useful stuff.

posted by Meatbomb 15 April | 06:25

I have a LiveJournal friend who DJs for drag shows frequently, and takes a lot of very colorful photos at drag events. Here's his LJ, if you want to read his posts and/or contact him. I don't know him in person, but you can tell him I gave you the link. He's a very cool and approachable guy, as far as I can tell.

posted by BoringPostcards 15 April | 10:35

I have a few queen friends, one very close, and sew costumes for some. What slang in particular is getting you, I may know it.

(fwiw, it may also be regional. Some southern US queens I know use different alan than the buffalo natives)

posted by kellydamnit 15 April | 22:23

Try to watch "RuPaul's Drag Race" if you can access it abroad.

posted by piratebowling 16 April | 17:57

← I... have no words || I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just gonna come right out and say it →

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