Confidence of a queen

I am big fan of drag queens. In fact, I got up early on Sunday, this past weekend, just to go to a drag show that started at noon. I am a slow morning riser so it took effort to make it to the small goth bar where it was hosted on time. As I looked around the pub, club music pumping in my barely awake ears, I saw many different colored flags symbolizing the plethora of lifestyles, sexes and preferences of the people that support, advocate for and represent the culture of drag queens as well as the LGTBQIA+ community. It was inspiring to be a part of the support in a small way that day.

I love drag queens because they exude confidence, femininity and sexuality. I understand that they are men dressed up as women but I consider it a compliment to the female species that so much effort is put forth in order to personify the essence of a woman. Moreover, most drag queens are performers and it takes a lot of bravery to get up on stage and be seen. Lastly, drag queens show up in all different sizes, shapes, colors, styles, talents and personalities. That speaks to me because I am used to being influenced by a biased society that prefers a certain type of woman. Being influenced by drag queens encourages me to love my body and accept myself as I am.

I love that drag queens come in all shapes, sizes, colors, styles and personalities. This is a photo from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

While I sit and clap for Lilac as she entertains the crowd, I feel inspired by her as well as saddened. She has the confidence that I crave. She loves her curves, her moves, her character and how people receive her; or at least that’s how I perceive her. I understand, like every human, she has more confidence about some things and less about others. I can relate to that. However, in this moment dressed in a purple wig and red fishnet bodysuit, she emanates a sexy, sassy, confident queen who knows who she is and loves it. I feel every woman, every person, has the right and ability to feel this way. It is just a matter of surrounding yourself with people and media that inspire you as well as taking the steps (as small as they may be) to feel confident. One person’s journey to confidence may not be mine or yours. My journey has been to do the inner work necessary to heal my past while yours may be a totally different path; such as wearing stiletto heels, slightly changing your lifestyle or shifting who influences you. All paths lead to the same destination…love.

I applaud drag queens like Lilac and women who radiate confidence. You are an inspiration. As I continue to build confidence in that way, I appreciate the confidence I do have. The confidence to follow my heart, to listen to my intuition, to honor my feelings, to know my truth and to keep stepping forward.