Category: Manifesto, Portfolio
Tags: Drag King Workshop, East Kent LGBTQ Youth Summit 2011, Ingo, Kent, Metro centre

Last Saturday I was invited to come and do a Drag King Workshop in Kent. There was a LGBTQ Youth Summit for 16-25 year olds in Kent (and beyond) organised by The Metro Centre.

I have been doing Drag King Workshops for many years now, most of the times they attract a wide variety of people who want to don the facial hair, do the walk and ‘perform maleness’ for a few hours or a day. This time I was invited to do a ‘taster’ session for the ones who wanted to get the flavor…. and alongside a Face Painter and a Drag Queen Make up artist I set up in the tent….

I have to say that this Saturday, as most of the time when I do these, the reasoning behind why people wanna try, are as varied as the people attend…

We started with a brief movement session where we checked in on the body language, discussed what is ‘male movement’ is and include? Gender as Attitude and way of being… we played around with some voice exercises and we did some chanting,  when I suggested that it could be for a football team or such, the suggestion that won was for badminton… so, there we were chanting ‘Smash it on the floor Jon!’ loud and clear….

Then we went trough a bit of make up, how to use it and what to use. Lucky me had been given a big bunch of professional make up and glue from my friend Daz.  Then all who wanted could get a bit done, for to see what they would look like etc…

The whole day was amazing and I think many who took part felt inspired and encouraged. When we closed the event and people moved towards awaiting parents cars and/or public transport, I saw some still wearing their facial hair and make up. Ready to meet the world as themselves….or the King they rightly felt like. 

It was indeed a pleasure to be part. // Ingo

For me a Drag King workshop can be taken by all genders n ages, and for whatever reason, like self empowerment and/or performance, it often lead to discussions about what gender is or not.  It is all Gender Queer and can be used in a variety of ways.

If you want to book a Drag King WS at your youth center/group/organisation, please get in touch with Ingo via woteverworld @gmail.com