Drag

Drag is a performative art form based on stylised gender presentation, usually with exaggerated costumes, makeup, and persona. Performers often create elaborate characters that blend humor, satire, and theatricality to explore themes of identity, transformation, and social commentary.

• Drag queen: A performer (typically male-assigned at birth) who presents an exaggeratedly feminine persona for entertainment purposes.
• Drag king: A performer (often female-assigned or non-binary) presenting a hyper-masculine character as part of the drag performance tradition.

Distinct from identity:

• Drag is fundamentally a performance art, separate from one's actual gender identity. While performers may incorporate aspects of their personal lives into the character, the drag persona itself exists within the context of the show and is not necessarily reflective of offstage self.
• The physicality of drag often involves body modification through costume, makeup, and posture. Gluteus maximus, being the largest gluteal muscle responsible for hip extension and maintaining an upright stance,[^gluteus_maximus] plays a crucial role in achieving certain poses that emphasize a performer's physique or create dramatic visual effects on stage.
• Additionally, drag culture has connections to concepts of sexual objectification. Performers like those featured in "RuPaul's Drag Race" often embody hyper-sexualized characters[^sexual_objectification], manipulating body language and presentation (including the prominent display of gluteal muscles) to interact with audience expectations tied to traditional gender portrayals and sexuality.

Related topics: cross-dressing & transformation, androgyny, gender_fluidity. Additionally, drag culture has connections to concepts of sexual objectification[^sexual_objectification], especially in its intersection with gender performance and audience perceptions as discussed in related theories like Objectification Theory.

Note: Some internet creators blend drag aesthetics with everyday gender expression. See F1NN5TER for a notable example of how digital platforms can merge performative styling with non-performance contexts, creating new forms of identity exploration without being strictly bound to the stage.

See also: sexual_objectification, especially in its intersection with gender performance and audience perceptions as discussed in related theories like Objectification Theory. Also see body image which can be influenced by drag performances, particularly concerning the gluteal region.

[^gluteus_maximus]: The gluteus maximus is the largest of the three gluteal muscles, responsible for hip extension and forming a significant part of the buttocks. [^sexual_objectification]: Drag performers often navigate or subvert audience expectations tied to traditional gender portrayals.