38th Annual Student Research Conference
The Evolution of Drag Culture: From Criminal to Iconic
Oliver Elder
Dr. Meghann Lucy-Mulayim, Faculty Mentor
Drag culture has transformed from a criminalized act of gender nonconformity to a celebrated mainstream phenomenon. This poster explores how drag performers historically navigated discrimination and legal barriers to achieve self-expression and cultural success. Archival newspaper clippings illustrate the criminalization of drag, from 19th-century arrests for cross-dressing to mid-20th-century police surveillance. The rise of RuPaul’s Drag Race in the 21st century helped shift drag into mainstream culture, yet tensions remain, as seen in contemporary debates over events like Drag Queen Story Hour. Despite persistent backlash, drag continues to serve as a powerful tool for LGBTQ+ visibility and social change, reshaping norms around gender and identity. Through historical analysis and contemporary examples, this poster highlights the historical criminalization of drag, its evolution into the mainstream, and the ongoing struggle between acceptance and societal backlash.
Keywords: drag, gender nonconformity, LGBTQ+, RuPaul's Drag Race, criminalization
Topic(s):Sociology
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 400-3
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 9:15