If you've known me for any length of time, you know that I have more or less always kept a journal of sorts, since my family got a computer. It has always been my way of communicating what I'm doing with the people I care about.
When Dan and I first started discussing whether or not I should write about drag, it was more of a joke than anything. And, then I started to really think about what it meant to me.
I came from a place, where it wasn't ok to be gay. If you looked wrong at someone you got death threats...and yes, that did happen to me once.
So, drag was generally not a topic that was often discussed in any company. It was usually a topic to be laughed at, because, "well, those people only do that in the big city. Nobody in Maine would do that."
So, drag was generally not a topic that was often discussed in any company. It was usually a topic to be laughed at, because, "well, those people only do that in the big city. Nobody in Maine would do that."
But, I felt that the only reason that it "wasn't okay," was just because, like so many other things, people didn't understand the reason behind it. That it wasn't just a freakshow kind of thing. That it is a way to do so many things.
What I didn't expect when I first started the blog though, was the intense feelings that would come from it. The praise, and love that I've gotten, and the anger and hate that occasionally comes through. In comments, I have had someone who I know, anonymously come out to me. I have had people tell me that I'm stupid for writing about drag, because nobody wants to read about it. I've had people tell me that because of my blog posts, they felt like they were there. And, I've had people tell me that I'm not a drag queen, so I have no right to write about my experience at a show.
When I started blogging about the events that I attend, it was more to remind myself of how I was feeling when I was there. Because, for all intents and purposes, the blog is a diary, just like every blog that I've ever written. I am very much aware of what I write, and I try my best to be kind. I have never intentionally set out to hurt anyone's feelings. The goal is to say what I feel, while doing the least amount of harm possible, to anyone's feelings. It doesn't always work that way...ask Pandora Boxx...
I know from time to time, people are going to disagree with me. I welcome that. In fact, I want that. I want to know why I'm wrong. And, I want people to tell me that I'm wrong, so that we can have a discussion and I can learn. Occasionally, I will make a mistake...I may use a term, that is offensive. I want you to tell me why it's offensive.
But, know this. The blog itself, is a learning tool. As much a tool for anyone who knows little to nothing about drag, as it is for me to learn more about myself. Because, to be quite honest, I've learned more about myself while writing this than I thought I would.
So, let's make this a little more interactive. I want to hear what you want to hear from me. I want to discuss what I've seen/done/heard at shows. I want you to use the comments both on Google+ and on Facebook...that's why they're there. Granted, most of the time, I'm just writing into a void, but, I watch my stats. I know that I've got readers from here in the US, to Canada, to Russia, France and beyond.
And, just remember. You don't have to like me. You don't have to dislike me. If you're still reading it, it means, for whatever reason, the blog is still relevant.
Perception is 99% of reality. If you read something I've written, and believe that it was meant maliciously, I understand that you're going to think that I'm after something. You have a right to that belief. But, let me know that it makes you feel that way, before you put me to death. It's often difficult to find the tone that an author intends with their writing. I tend to be sarcastic, and sometimes don't come off as anything but mean. If you question it, ask. There's a reason, why I tend to be a little (ok a lot) self-deprecating when I write. It's because I would rather make fun of myself, than hurt anyone else, because they thought I was making fun of them. That's not who I am, nor is it who I want to be.
What I didn't expect when I first started the blog though, was the intense feelings that would come from it. The praise, and love that I've gotten, and the anger and hate that occasionally comes through. In comments, I have had someone who I know, anonymously come out to me. I have had people tell me that I'm stupid for writing about drag, because nobody wants to read about it. I've had people tell me that because of my blog posts, they felt like they were there. And, I've had people tell me that I'm not a drag queen, so I have no right to write about my experience at a show.
When I started blogging about the events that I attend, it was more to remind myself of how I was feeling when I was there. Because, for all intents and purposes, the blog is a diary, just like every blog that I've ever written. I am very much aware of what I write, and I try my best to be kind. I have never intentionally set out to hurt anyone's feelings. The goal is to say what I feel, while doing the least amount of harm possible, to anyone's feelings. It doesn't always work that way...ask Pandora Boxx...
I know from time to time, people are going to disagree with me. I welcome that. In fact, I want that. I want to know why I'm wrong. And, I want people to tell me that I'm wrong, so that we can have a discussion and I can learn. Occasionally, I will make a mistake...I may use a term, that is offensive. I want you to tell me why it's offensive.
But, know this. The blog itself, is a learning tool. As much a tool for anyone who knows little to nothing about drag, as it is for me to learn more about myself. Because, to be quite honest, I've learned more about myself while writing this than I thought I would.
So, let's make this a little more interactive. I want to hear what you want to hear from me. I want to discuss what I've seen/done/heard at shows. I want you to use the comments both on Google+ and on Facebook...that's why they're there. Granted, most of the time, I'm just writing into a void, but, I watch my stats. I know that I've got readers from here in the US, to Canada, to Russia, France and beyond.
And, just remember. You don't have to like me. You don't have to dislike me. If you're still reading it, it means, for whatever reason, the blog is still relevant.
Perception is 99% of reality. If you read something I've written, and believe that it was meant maliciously, I understand that you're going to think that I'm after something. You have a right to that belief. But, let me know that it makes you feel that way, before you put me to death. It's often difficult to find the tone that an author intends with their writing. I tend to be sarcastic, and sometimes don't come off as anything but mean. If you question it, ask. There's a reason, why I tend to be a little (ok a lot) self-deprecating when I write. It's because I would rather make fun of myself, than hurt anyone else, because they thought I was making fun of them. That's not who I am, nor is it who I want to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment