Every July 16, the LGBTQ community celebrates International Drag Day, a global recognition of the artistry, performance, and unapologetic self-expression of drag queens. This day is a powerful reminder of how drag continues to influence culture, activism, and queer visibility. From the queens who command the spotlight at Pride parades to those who emcee charity galas and nightclub shows, drag performers are central to the queer experience. Their wigs may be big and their personalities even bigger, but their roles within the LGBTQ movement are serious, essential, and deeply rooted in community. On this day, we take a moment to look beyond the sequins and heels to honor drag queens as cultural leaders and agents of change.

Drag has always been more than entertainment. At its core, drag is a political and cultural act that challenges gender norms, inspires creativity, and creates space for queer voices. Whether channeling over-the-top glam, embracing gender-bending characters, or stepping into satirical roles that critique mainstream values, drag artists hold a mirror up to society. In doing so, they not only entertain—they educate, provoke, and unify. For many LGBTQ folks, drag queens were the first queer icons they ever saw living authentically, without apology.

As drag culture gains more attention, it’s important to understand the scope and meaning of what drag really is. This article breaks down what drag queens do, where drag comes from, and why it remains a powerful force in LGBTQ communities. Whether you’re already a fan or someone looking to learn more, International Drag Day is the perfect opportunity to explore and appreciate this vital part of queer life.

The History Behind International Drag Day

International Drag Day was founded in 2009 by Adam Stewart, a drag performer from Australia, with the goal of uplifting drag culture and giving queens the respect and admiration they deserve. While drag has long existed in entertainment—from Shakespearean actors to vaudeville and beyond—it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that drag began to take root as a queer-specific art form. By the 1960s and 70s, drag performers were central to LGBTQ spaces, hosting underground balls, cabaret nights, and community events.

The Stonewall Uprising in 1969 marked a turning point, with drag queens like Marsha P. Johnson taking active roles in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Since then, drag has remained not only an artistic medium but also a symbol of resistance and self-determination. Today, International Drag Day is observed around the world as a tribute to the resilience, talent, and impact of drag performers—both past and present.

This day is especially significant in light of modern political efforts to censor or legislate drag. Far from being just a stage performance, drag is a celebration of freedom of expression and identity. International Drag Day provides a moment for reflection, gratitude, and recognition of how far drag culture has come—and the work still left to do.

What Is a Drag Queen?

A drag queen is a performer who typically uses exaggerated fashion, makeup, and character personas to entertain, inform, or provoke thought. Most often associated with cisgender gay men, drag is actually open to anyone—regardless of gender identity—who embraces its theatrical and expressive nature. While many drag queens embody femininity, their performance is not about impersonation. It’s about amplification. Drag is about taking gender and blowing it up into something fabulous, intentional, and entirely unique.

Drag queens often blend comedy, dance, lip-sync, fashion, and improv in their acts. But beyond the performance, many are community leaders, fundraisers, event hosts, and advocates. Whether hosting bingo night at the local bar, leading a Pride march, or reading to kids at inclusive storytimes, drag queens are often the visible faces of LGBTQ community engagement.

It’s also essential to separate drag from gender identity. Drag queens are not necessarily trans women, nor are all trans women drag performers. Drag is an art form—a costume, a performance, and a character—often put on and taken off. It plays with the idea of gender but does not define it.

The Many Faces of Drag

Drag isn’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, there are many types of drag performers, each with their own unique style, background, and creative purpose. From traditional pageant queens who bring old-school glamour, to camp queens who revel in comedy and absurdity, drag contains multitudes. There are horror queens who create disturbing, avant-garde looks and performances. There are political queens who use satire to take on real-world issues. There are even bio queens—cisgender women who perform in drag—challenging assumptions about who can claim space in the artform.

Some drag performers develop long-running personas—characters with names, catchphrases, signature looks, and full-on brand identities. Others shift identities with each performance. Some performers work full-time as drag artists, while others only appear at select events or online. What unites all drag performers is the commitment to bold expression and storytelling.

This diversity is what makes drag culture so rich. It’s not just about putting on a wig or beating your face with makeup. It’s about creating a fantasy, telling a story, and connecting with audiences in ways that can be heartfelt, hilarious, or thought-provoking.

Drag’s Place in LGBTQ Culture and Community

Drag queens have long served as unofficial ambassadors of LGBTQ life. At Pride festivals, they are often the ones leading parades, introducing performers, and giving voice to the energy of the crowd. In nightlife, they serve as hosts, performers, and guides to the experience. At fundraisers, benefits, and community events, drag queens help raise money, build awareness, and draw people together. They are often the glue that connects people to the causes and celebrations of queer life.

But drag also offers safety and validation for queer people. For many, seeing a drag queen being loud, proud, and totally authentic can be a life-changing experience. Drag says, “You can be whoever you want to be,” and then proves it. It’s a reminder that queerness is not a limitation—it’s a superpower.

In recent years, drag queens have expanded their reach beyond bars and ballrooms. From reality TV and podcasts to music videos and children’s books, drag is increasingly mainstream. Yet even as its popularity grows, the roots of drag remain firmly planted in queer liberation and creative self-expression. It’s not just art—it’s activism.

Addressing Common Misunderstandings

Despite its growing visibility, drag is often misunderstood—especially by people outside the LGBTQ community. Some assume drag is inherently sexual or inappropriate for public viewing. Others conflate drag queens with transgender identities. These misconceptions often fuel misinformation campaigns and targeted legislative efforts.

In reality, drag is a performance. Like any art form, it can be tailored for different audiences. There are adult-oriented drag shows and family-friendly story hours. There are glamorous shows in theaters and gritty performances in underground clubs. What they share is a commitment to creativity, humor, and pushing boundaries. It’s no more inappropriate than a Broadway musical or a Cirque du Soleil performance—it just happens to come with glitter and high heels.

Understanding drag means recognizing it as part of a long tradition of artistic rebellion. It’s about seeing beyond the surface and realizing the strength, talent, and vulnerability behind every painted face.

Why International Drag Day Matters

International Drag Day is more than just a calendar entry—it’s a moment of recognition for the performers who bring joy, visibility, and resistance to LGBTQ life. Drag queens have long stood at the front lines of cultural movements, using their platforms to call out injustice, support their communities, and celebrate queer life unapologetically. They’ve been there through every stage of our fight for equality—whether in heels or boots, under spotlights or on protest lines.

Celebrating this day is about honoring the artform and its place in our collective queer history. It’s about taking a moment to recognize that drag queens aren’t just part of the show—they’re part of the story. And that story continues to inspire, challenge, and uplift new generations of LGBTQ people and allies alike.

Share Your Thoughts

Do you have a favorite drag memory or performer who left a mark on your life? Has drag helped you better understand gender or identity? Let us know what drag means to you in the comments below—we’d love to hear your story.