The Search for Drag Queens in Singapore!

Want to get a peek into the hangouts of many drag queens? Here's a list of venues where you can actually find drag queens compiled for anyone who would like to find out more about drag queens!

Historical venues:

Bugis street

One of Singapore's most famous tourist meccas since the 1950s, renowned internationally for its nightly parade of flamboyantly-dressed transwomen, Bugis Street attracted hordes of Caucasian gawkers who had never witnessed Asian queens in full regalia! The transwomen would tease, cajole or sit on a visitor's lap and pose for a fee. In the mid-1980s, nightly transgender sex bazaar culture gave way to urban development and the consruction of MRT. The development marked the end of a colourful and unique era in Sinagpore.

Boom boom room

Boom boom room was a drag queen cabaret night club. It was initially located at bugis street, after which it was then relocated at Far East Square. Boom boom room is a place you must go if you want to experience the drag culture in Singapore! This was also where our Singapore queen of the queen Kumar performed years ago! Unfortunately, Boom boom room had closed for good after 12 years of providing entertainment, mainly because of shows were getting stale, drag queens were getting old and poor location at Far East Square. Kumar, the host and owner of Boom boom room then shifted to Gold Dust.

(with courtesy of http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Singapore_transgender_culture)

Contemporary venues:

Changi Village

Drag queens and transwomen can be found along the stretches of road at Changi village! Based on personal experience, I think they look really beautiful! In fact, they are prettier than lots of real women out there! Changi village is the place where STRAIGHT men would like to visit to ogle at transwomen or drag queens. Guys would really have to be careful! According to my father, they approach every men who appear there. My father was approached as well!

Gold Dust

Located on level 2 of the rear block of Orchard Towers along Orchard Road it is Singapore's second drag queen cabaret night club. One of the owners of Gold Dust is actually famous drag queen Kumar. Gold Dust is actually targeted at high end consumers with entrance fee (inclusive of 1 drink) priced at $22 and $28 during weekdays and weekends respectively. One of the difference between Gold Dust and Boom boom room is, Gold Dust have included female dancers in their performance as well while Boom boom room only have male dancers.

(picture with courtesy of http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/5f284/16d27f/5/)

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References:

1. http://www.yawningbread.org/guest_2005/guw-101.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_people_in_Singapore
3. http://sg.ksdb.com/865416.page
4. http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Singapore_transgender_culture
5. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/5f284/16d27f/5/

References

References

Iron Ladies, http://www.greencine.com/webCatalog?id=23876

History of drag, http://www.jonno.com/words/history_of_drag.html

Iron Ladies, http://www.goldenscene.com/ironladies/reviews/questions.html

Thailand's "Women of the Second Kind", http://www.cpamedia.com/culture/thailand_kathoey/

Venue of drag queens in Thailand, http://guides.hotelbook.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=31927

Amazing Philippines Beauties contest, http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transvestite-pageants/

Boys' Night Out (Time Magazine), http://www.yawningbread.org/apdx_2001/imp-084.htm

Trevvy's article on Bernice, http://www.trevvy.com/scoops/article.php?a_id=51&c_id=3

Definitions of Drag queens, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_queen

Singapore's Drag Queen, Kumar, http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4263016&page=1

Jack Neo, Liang XiMei and Liang PoPo, http://www.mediacorpsingapore.com/001_celebs/2000/features/20000712_1.htm

Images in slideshow on Introduction page:
http://english.people.com.cn/200602/25/images/022501.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/1538544426_e2d7263050_m.jpg
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00103/fhsb_103406a.jpg
http://www.beat-management.com/fa_myspace/photos3.jpg
http://www.conceptualevent.com/Dee.jpg
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/916/50442898.JPG
http://www.globalgayz.com/images/bk001-4.jpg
http://www.tws.com.sg/singapore/sin_assets/whats-on/performances/gold-revue.jpg

Video by NTU Students: Adams in Heels

The Closet

The closet would simply refer to undisclosed sexual behaviour or sexual orientation. They have the habit of dressing up in private away from everyone. That would mean dressing up for their own pleasure. Most the closet cross dressers do not want to reaveal their habits to others for the fear of being mocked at. And cross dressing in this manner allows them to hide their homosexuality behaviour. Some of the closet cross dresser may not be gay. They just like to cross dress for their own sexual pleasures. In certain cases, or rather most cases, it would not be easy to detect a person who is a closet cross dresser as they behave like a normal person.

Many of the closet cross dressers do not have a specific reason why they behave in such a way. Some might be due to the emotion sexual abuse in the past, and others is the act of cross dressing gives them a sense of sexual satisfaction.

People will think that closet cross dressing is something that is not normal and wrong. But, to those closet cross dressing is something that gives them the pleasures. On top of that, they feel the need for them to cross dress. Most of the closet cross dressers find it hard to stop once they embark on this journey.In the society, such a behaviour is definitely not encouraged or even accepted.

Reference from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_closet

Your Gateway to Becoming a Drag Queen - Online Shop for Essentials for Drag Queen

After seeing a series of videos teaching the ways of being a drag queen. In this last installment, we will give you a website where essential items for the dressing up is given. (Shop's URL: http://www.drag-queen.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=D)

In this website, there are a range of products from clothing to shoes to hormones to even breast....

One very interesting feature of the website is the different froms of breast and hormones offered.

Some interesting products found in the website:

1. Siliocn breast forms with nipples. Available in chest sizes 32-44" and cup sizes B-DD.

2. A bra which uses the skin of the wearer to create cleavage. This bra is worn under a regualr bra with silicon enhancement.

3. The male genetial parts are hidden with this undergrament to hide any traces of musculinity.

Photos courtesey of: http://www.drag-queen.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=D

Drag Queen VS Transsexual

Is all drag queens a transsexual? This is the question that everybody always ask when they see a drag queen. The video here talks about drag kings and drag queen by Calpernia Addams, who is a transsexual.


VideoJug: Drag Queens And Drag Kings

Your Gateway to Becoming a Drag Queen - How to Act Like a Woman

Physical appearance, check. What's more left to being a drag queen? The guesture and movement. This videos will teaches you how to act like a woman. The way to walk, sit and talk.


How To Act Like A Woman

Whether you masquerade at midnight as a woman in your wife's clothes, you have a secret, burning desire to sing Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" on stage, or you want to really strut your stuff around town as a full time woman- then VideoJug's Fabulous Fairy Godmother is here to help make sure that your voice or mannerisms don't give you away.

Step 1: Walk The Walk
If there's too much of a lilt in your step… you'll look comical, not sexy. Watch women walk. They're more fluid than men. They glide. Women also take shorter steps. High heels help. They add a little shimmy to your strut. Don't exaggerate the movement.

Step 2: Speak Up
Falsetto a dead give-away. Instead… concentrate on pitch, resonance and annunciation. Pick a pitch just a little higher than your normal voice. Resonance is the timbre in your voice. Male voices have a lower resonance. Find the right one by speaking in the highest falsetto you can. Then find the lowest pitch in that range. Annunciation is the pace of your speech. Men tend to be more clipped. Women tend to curve and soften their speech.

Step 3: Let's Get Physical
80% of communication is nonverbal. Gestures. Movements. Expressions. Feminine women tend to use their hands when they talk. They're more animated with their facial expressions. Just don't overdo it. When standing, place your feet closer together. Shoulders back. When sitting, don't plop down like a guy would. Gently, dear. Practice makes perfect! Watch yourself in a mirror … or have a friend observe.

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ * Vidoes and instructions are from www.videojug.com

Your Gateway to Becoming a Drag Queen - How to Wear a Drag Queen Wig

Hair and makeup is a must for every girl when they are attending any sort of function. This would also include the drag queens. After we are done with our makeup, we will move on to the hair. This video will teach you how to wear a wig and wear it with style.


How To Wear A Drag Queen Wig


VideoJug's Fabulous Fairy Godmother is here to take you from shy boy to gorgeous girl with just a wig!

Step 1: The Wig Cap
There are three basic kinds of wigs. There's the standard cap-which is the least expensive. Because it's machine sewed, it can look a little like Barbie's hair. Next is the capless wig. Basically, it's like rows of extensions with wide gaps in between. Finally… monofilament caps. Expensive? Naturally! Especially if you go for human hair instead of synthetic.

Step 2: Size Matters
To figure out your wig cap size, measure three ways. First, from ear to ear. Next, from hairline to nape of neck. Finally, all the way around your head from ear to ear.

Step 3: Determine Your Style
For round faces, choose wigs with height. Avoid styles that widen your face. Pick styles with wispy sides to hide your cheeks and narrow your face. For square faces, you will also need height. Avoid widening your face with wide hairstyles-duh. But do choose a curly or wavy texture. Oval faces look great in any style-just like me!

Step 4: Color Me Fine
Pick a shade close to your natural color. Match your brows to your wig, and keep your skin tone in mind. It all needs to blend.

Step 5: Get Your Hair On
Place your wig on from front to back. Bend forward and do the Charlie's Angels hair flip. Pull down the front so that it just covers your hairline. Then pull down your wig at the sides of your ears.

Step 6: Lock It Down
Hide a few bobby pins on the side and the back of your wig to feel secure…

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★ * Vidoes and instructions are from www.videojug.com

Your Gateway to Becoming a Drag Queen - How to Apply Drag Queen Makeup

The second episode here is the most important step of being a drag queen - MAKEUP!!! Makeup is a must for all drag queens. Dramatic looking makeup that is suitable only for stage performances. One thing to take note here, the eyes, the most exaggerated part of the face.


How To Apply Drag Queen Makeup


VideoJug's Fabulous Fairy Godmother is here to teach you how to put on a feminine face.

Step 1: Prep Your Face
Do the deed right after taking a shower-and I mean shaving girl. Always finish with a non-oily moisturizer.

Step 2: Browlicious
Draw in your brow shape with a brow pencil as a template and start tweezing!

Step 3: Foundation, Baby
Remember the three C's: Color, Coverage and Concealer. Test the foundation's color on your cheek. It should blend easily into your neck. Coverage is the amount of pigment you need to cover any discolorations. Full coverage foundation works great for patchy skin. Use matte foundation for oily skin. If you have flawless skin like me, well then honey, a little dab of semi-matte will do ya'. Concealer hides everything from acne to a big liver spot. If you have a dark beard, you will need to use a neutralizing concealer—this will knock out the dark shadow. Finish with powder for a flawless look.

Step 4: Blush It Up
An easy way to add some cheek color is with a big brush. Bronzer is a good choice. Brush into it and lightly dust from the top of your cheek bone to the apple.

Step 5: Bette Davis Eyes
Use a light eye shadow… and sweep it from lash to brow bone. Then apply a crease color. Go with something natural. Now is not the time for blue or green. For the first coat use a waterproof mascara. Then follow with a regular mascara

Step 6: Lip Service
Choose a lip color complimentary to your skin tone. Olive or darker tones look good with peachy or orangey tones. Porcelain or pinkish toned ladies look best in pinky colors. Darker complexions like me look perfect in plums and wines.
Done.

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
* Vidoes and instructions are from www.videojug.com

Methodology

Selection of topic

The first selection included several topics including religions, mediums, bomohs and drag queens. After which, we narrowed down our focus to topics that can be found in Singapore context and yet not a stale topic. Hence, we decided on DRAG QUEENS.


Research

• Internet

First of all, we went on to gather more information about drag queens. The areas of research and ways of getting information include:

• A more in depth understanding of drag queens
• Relationships between drag queens, gays and transexuals

This part of the research was depended heavily on the internet. We browsed through a few web pages to validate the authenticity of their information. Finally, we sieve out information which we have considered reliable.

• The search for popular drag queens in Singapore.

To better illustrate our point to Singapore context, we have to find out more about drag queens in Singapore. There was little variety on the drag queens available online that we could research on and most of our results only show Singapore Queen of the Queen- Kumar.
After finding examples of drag queens in Singapore, we felt a need to find videos which can better depict what a drag queen really does, rather than giving all descriptions.

• Documentary

Fortunately, we managed to get hold of a documentary which shows interviews about drag queens and things like what are the necessay preparation before performances.

• Interview/Survey

The main purpose of our surveys and interviews was to find out Singaporeans' perspectives of drag queens. A simple set of survey questions was listed and 20 copies was printed and distributed to our schoolmates or juniors whose age happens to fall in our desired age category of 15-30. The survey in particular, was prepared for the purpose of finding out the opinions of the younger generation of drag queens.

As compared to surveys, interviews can provide more information. Hence, we compiled a set of questions and went on to interview people of different age categories, hoping to find out whether age does affect individual's opinion of drag queens.

In addition, we hope to make use of this interviews to verify the "fact" that drag queens does faces discrimination in Singapore.

Compilation of results (particularly survey and interview results)

Undeniably, the internet does offers a large amount of information. However, the credibility of each piece of information is not guaranteed. Hence, we need to carefully select pieces of information which we think are more reliable, through steps such as comparisons or further research.

After the data collection of survey and interviews ended, we have to present the data, interpret the results. The diagrams which reflect figures were generated with the aid of Microsoft Excel. Interview scripts were reorganised and simplified so as to provide easier reference for readers.

Posting

After the selection and analysis of information, all information was classified into different headings and posted into different links.

Your Gateway to Becoming a Drag Queen - How to Dress Like a Drag Queen

This series here will give an insight of the dressings of a drag queen. We have videos, websites to find the necessary items for a drag performance and even intructions. To kick off the series, we have a video "How to Dress Like a drag Queen" from videojug.com.


How To Dress Like A Drag Queen


Whether you masquerade at midnight as a woman in your wife's clothes, you have a secret, burning desire to sing Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" on stage, or you want to really strut your stuff around town as a full time woman- then VideoJug's Fabulous Fairy Godmother is here to help transform your masculine figure into a beautiful, feminine diva!

Step 1: Prep Your Legs
We're going for silky smooth. If you've got a lot of hair, trim it with safety scissors first. Shave – just after a shower is best.

Step 2: Hips and Waists
Hip pads add curves… but thin is in… so it's up to you. Waist cinchers also come in handy---especially if you're a little heavy in the middle.

Step 3: Tuck Your Junk
Down below… you've got something to hide. It's called tucking your junk. Just tuck everything between your legs. Women's panties are snug and smooth enough to hold it all in place. Support garments like Spanx or pantyhose work great too. Better yet, get a gaff. It's custom made for this delicate operation. Lie down with the gaff pulled up to your thighs. Tuck each testicle and up into your abdominal cavity. Tuck your penis between your legs and pull up the gaff.

Step 4: Boobage
You'll need a good bra. For sizing, measure around your chest a few inches below your nipples. For the cup size, bigger is not better. B or C looks more natural. Anything will fill those cups… but chicken cutlets-or silicone breast enhancers will look and feel real. Cleavage is an illusion, created with pecs and tape. Start by holding in your pecs with one hand. Take a strip of medical tape, and apply it like a sash, running from your underarm to your chest cavity.

Step 5: Your Fit
Skirts hide what you need to hide, they're comfortable and feminine. Choose tops with wider shoulders, longer sleeves, and lowered waistlines for longer torsos.

Step 6: Your Kicks
Nothing makes your legs sexier than a pair of high heels… but they're hard to find in big sizes. Cross dressing websites come in really handy here.

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* Instructions to the video is from videojug.com

VIDEOS

A female impersonator

Kumar

Kumar

Interview Transcripts

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS

We have included the transcripts of two interviews, with Mdm Lim Ah Ee and Dawn Au.

Mdm Lim Ah Ee, 65

Us: Hi, Mdm Lim, thanks for agreeing to be in our interview! Regarding drag queens in Singapore and Southeast Asia, do you have any idea who they are and what they do?

Mdm Lim: Drag queens? Oh you mean all those who perform as “ah guas” (transvestites) is it? The men who dress up as sexy women and perform on stage?

Us: Yes, so what else do you know about them?

Mdm Lim: Not much, except some of them are really sexy! And that they are very good comedian like Kumar!

Us: How do you feel about them?

Mdm Lim: Very poor thing, they are men but have to dress up as women to entertain people, maybe they will be confused whether they are really men or women!

Us: So you accept them as part of the society?

Mdm Lim: Yes, why not? They also do that to earn a living, I cannot look down on them. But actually I know a lot of my friends who think they are very disgusting and “not man not woman”, don’t know what sex they are. A friend of mine, a man, thinks they are very sissy and even a disgrace to the men! I don’t think like that, I think we should respect them for having the courage to face up to these kind of insults and continue with their drag queens careers.

Us: Mdm Lim, you are quite open-minded!

Mdm Lim: yes! My children also tell me that. But anyway, another male friend of mine also says that drag queens can be very attractive! More attractive than his wife, he says. (laughs)

Us: Yes, they are quite attractive! Have you watched a drag queen perform before?

Mdm Lim: Hmm… I never watch kumar except when he perform in tv shows only. Not his real performance. Is Liang Xi Mei and Liang Po Po considered drag queens also? I also used to watch that Jack Neo show.

Us: Ya, they are considered. So how did you feel after watching them?

Mdm Lim: Very funny! Very entertaining, they can really act like women!

Us: So do you think drag queens are discriminated in our society?

Mdm Lim: I think among the older generation, people like me, most will think they are disgusting, like a lot of my friends. Aiya, traditional thinkings la. But I think the younger generation like you all should accept them right?

Us: Ya, most of us accept them! Do you think most of them are gays?

Mdm Lim: I think they keep performing as women, sure got some women traits, become girly. Maybe some of them are gay? Kumar abit sissy. But like Jack Neo, he is a real man! So it depends la.

Us: Okay thank you for this interview!




Our interview with Dawn Au, 20

Us: Hi Dawn, thanks for this interview! So do you know what are drag queens?

Dawn: sort of? Kumar right? Guys who like to dress as girls?

Us: What else do you know about them, like what do they do for a living?

Dawn: I don’t know, I suppose if they are famous then they can do performances, but maybe some just like to do it in private, at home, then maybe they have normal jobs and stuff.

Us: How do you feel about them?

Dawn: Eh ambivalent I guess? Since I don’t come across them much in daily life, kind of nonchalant.

Us: So do you think they will be confused about their gender?

Dawn: I don’t think they are confused per se, I think they have their own sense of purpose, their own definition of meaning in life and maybe they express that differently from the rest of us, but who’s to say what’s right or wrong. Although it’s not necessarily courage that it takes to be different, and maybe it’s just self-expression, but one should see them as a person first before we try to judge them!

Us: So do you accept them as part of society?

Dawn: I suppose so, they can do what they want.

Us: Do you think they are discriminated in our society?
Dawn: I think it’s inevitable that some people with traditional thinkings will discriminate against them. They think it’s unnatural that guys should act as girls or vice versa. But I suppose most people of the younger generation should accept them. I haven’t came across many people who discriminate against drag queens, most of my friends just accept them as who they are.

Us: Okay thanks a lot of this interview!

Survey Questions

SURVEY QUESTIONS

We are a group of National University of Singapore (NUS) students currently doing a project about drag queens in Southeast Asia. We hope that through this survey, we can get a better perception of the public towards Drag Queens. Our target group for this survey will be the younger generations between the ages of 15-30.

1) Do you know what defines a Drag Queen?
Yes Not Sure No

2) Do you think all Drag Queens are also a transvestite or transsexual?
Yes Not Sure No

3) Do you know of any popular Drag Queens in Southeast Asia?
Yes Not Sure No
If yes, _____________________________________________

4) Do you think Drag Queens are discriminated in Singapore?
Yes Not Sure No

5) Would you accept Drag Queens as part of members of the society?
Yes Not Sure No
If yes, why? _____________________________________________________