11 Comments
User's avatar
Josh's avatar

"Precision is the antidote to word games, and clarity is the antidote to argumentative and rhetorical nonsense."

This is what makes it so hard on twitter. It's much easier to be foolish in 140 characters than it is to be clear and concise in as many.

Expand full comment
Martha C's avatar

I would argue Mrs. Doubtfire is not a Drag Queen. But I have learned from you here, once again, and love the “you know where the line is” response. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Josh's avatar

I thought the same until I considered the definition:

"a person and especially a man who performs as an entertainer in usually female drag"

Robin Williams is the entertainer dressed as a woman performing in a movie for us.

If The movie was real life and some guy dressed up to get his family back, then I would say it is not for entertaining but for deception and he was just wearing a disguise.

Expand full comment
Martha C's avatar

I disagree. The claim is “Mrs. Doubtfire is a Drag Queen.” She/he is the character who dresses solely to deceive the family (in a good way!) No DQ is attempting to pass as a woman or deceive the audience unlike Mrs. D.. And Mrs. Doubtfire lacks the necessary flamboyance of a DQ (otherwise would just be a transvestite) as well as a willing audience. AdditionallyRobin Williams is playing a role. By agreeing that she/he/he is a DQ we are once again letting them blur the lines.

Expand full comment
Josh's avatar

Yep Im with you. I was just saying it could fit the definition technically though perhaps I don't understand what the "drag" part of drag queen means. I just assumed it was slang for clothing or something. But either way, I agree with your sentiment.

Expand full comment
Martha C's avatar

My best guess is that it evolved years ago from gay, flamboyant transvestites on the Sunset Strip…the street term “Drag.” And Queen for obvious reasons. Transvestites aren’t always gay but pretty sure DQs are🤷🏻‍♀️

Expand full comment
mouse stealth's avatar

I would go back to the term "transvestite" and contrast with "drag queen." The mere change of attire need not be sexual - as when certain people in certain countries disguise themselves by wearing the female garb known as a burqa, to avoid detection. Still the point is the same - draw the line in a manner that is not easily subverted.

Expand full comment
Barbara Wegner's avatar

Thanks for turning this into a substack article. It's easier to share than the twitter thread. I found this very helpful.

Expand full comment
Steve Shiflett's avatar

Sounds much like the arguments regarding abortion. For me, it's a waste of my time to argue with the disingenuous. Doing so is a degrading experience that gives the opponent reason to disrespect me as a person and what I believe. I am so gullible to be taken in by the verbal gymnastics of these liars. I have watched Chris in interviews carefully navigate the sly minefield of words crafted and marvel at his ability to see the traps so quickly and disarm them.

I think of Sonya sitting on the bed with Raskilnikov in the book Crime and Punishment. She is not well spoken or deep, but she communicates with simple words, honest tears of empathy and then silence as she sits with him.

Expand full comment
Woke_Ass_Person's avatar

Weird how no one uses 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger to demonstrate the ambiguity of gender.

Expand full comment
Jane Pavlis's avatar

Let us know when you set up your account...I appreciate all the work you are doing and wish to support you.

Expand full comment