OKTOBER_UNIKUM_WEB

UNIKUM TRIES
Unikum Tries:
DRAG
Jakub Świerkocki
Writer
Illustration: AdobeStock // sanee
I always wanted to try drag. The fun
thing is, only two weeks after arriving
here, on my first Unikum meeting, there
was an option to try it in the workshop
as an Unikum Tries. I thought to myself,
why not? I got the chance, so I’m going
to use it. Also, this workshop let me meet
two beautiful drag queens, Dinah Myte
(@dinahmytedraq) and Yessica (@_the_
yessica_).
First, before I’ll describe the workshop, I
want to explain the reason I decided to try
drag. It’s going to get personal. The first
encounter with drag I had in third year of
primary school. Someone had a birthday
party and on this event the birthday
person decided that we are throwing a
talent show with different characters.
Suddenly all the “male” clothes were
taken out and what was left was a dress
and a wig. I introduced myself then as a
Gertrude. It was fun.
Photo: Private
The second reason is that I consider
myself someone who likes art. I like
reading books, watching movies, but also
comedy or dramatic plays. Additionally,
I was in the theater circle, in school but
also in some outside organizations. Art
was with me everywhere and I stopped
looking at it as just particular items
within a category and instead I started looking at it as a form of
expressing emotions, feeling, dreams or desires.
The third reason (excuse the rant you accidentally encountered)
is that I feel some type of connection to drag. Maybe because I’m
a nonbinary gay person, or just because of my connection to art.
Drag, I feel, is a part of queer legacy, that needs to be celebrated and
@dinahmytedraq
worshiped. Drag queens and kings are
always in the front of queer liberation.
For example, the stonewall drag
queen activist, Marsha P. Johnson.
Also, I always wanted to express my
femininity. In my home country, I
don’t think I would be able to do that.
It’s not safe there, and I would never
feel comfortable there. Additionally,
I watched a lot of Rupaul Draq Race
franchise, which got me fascinated by
drag and the different approaches to
doing it.
And now, with the essay on the ‚why‘
finished, let‘s talk about the workshop
itself.
First, when I came there, I was
so stressed. I was so scared that I
would not like it, or I would feel
uncomfortable wearing makeup.
It was a surprise to me, that it was
quite opposite. After one minute the
ice was broken, and I started feeling
comfortable.
The drag queens were nice and
supportive. While covering eyebrows,
we started talking about how each of
us got introduced to drag and how
they started their career in it. Even I
saw some clips from Dinah Myte. They were so good and energetic.
Doing eyebrows felt like it took an eternity for me. They was so
long but after doing them, I couldn’t tell, where my eyebrows were.
Each step was first shown by drag queen, and then I copied it. It
was so fun because I think I know the basics now. On each step,
I felt like I could ask them anything and if I ever started feeling
uncomfortable, I could draw back.
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