Boston Uncommon vol. 1 / no. 14
A year of digital drag and the return to the nightclub
Boston Uncommon is a weekly newsletter covering Boston-based drag, burlesque, cabaret, sex work, and various forms of queer nightlife. Featuring original writing and reporting, Boston Uncommon engages authentically with those who work and play within Boston’s queer spaces and reports on the issues that directly impact local and greater LGBTQ+ communities.
In this week’s edition of Boston Uncommon I:
Cover a BIG STORY: Gay Times reports on impact of COVID-19 on drag industry, excludes non-Drag Race artists
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Miranda Wrights provides additional commentary on Twitter thread regarding proper compensation for drag talent
Check in with our COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: “Now Serving” contestants compete in “May the 4th be with you" challenge for week three of digital contest
And stop to think— WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Bismuth Arsenide on her unique abilities and perspectives as a young drag artist
BIG STORY: Gay Times reports on impact of COVID-19 on drag industry, excludes non-Drag Race artists
In a recent article published by Gay Times, reporter Sam Damsheans discusses the economic, emotional, and physical toll the pandemic has taken on the drag community. Despite covering the emergence of digital drag content, “Herstory in the making,” Damsheans excludes performers who have not been featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR), sparking a reaction from artists who have been using digital platforms to create COVID safe, innovative drag content for over a year.
“Herstory that I invented, produced and conceived,” Biqtch Puddin’, creator of the first Digital Drag Show, running on Twitch since March 2020, tweeted. “Love this article talking about digital drag but find it completely sad they only feature RPDR talent. Digital shows have been produced on a weekly basis across the globe since the pandemic. All using my business model.”
Though the article included interviews with a variety of drag artists from around the world, it received criticism for overlooking the shows and creators who have been instrumental in keeping the industry alive through COVID-related lockdowns.
“I'm so angry that articles like this focus only on RPDR performers,” Majenta with a J, Boston drag artist and digital drag producer tweeted. “There's a giant universe of us in the drag community who have busted our asses to keep drag alive for local performers, and we've succeeded without being TV stars. Why isn't Gay Times sharing our stories?”
Majenta notes that though it is valuable to share stories about how Drag Race performers have coped with the pandemic, any article about the drag industry needs to consider the thousands of local performers who have been forced to survive without the platform Drag Race provides.
“Publications that focus just on RPDR performers do a disservice to the community when they don’t delve in deeper to share the full story beyond the famous names — not only is it lazy journalism, but they missed reporting on a pretty damn compelling story!” Majenta said.
For those looking to support non-RPDR artists, Majenta also tweeted a list of some of the artists who have been producing digital drag content through the pandemic:
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Miranda Wrights provides additional commentary on Twitter thread regarding proper compensation for drag talent
Boston/San Diego-based drag artist Miranda Wrights recently posted an informative Twitter thread, providing employment advice to drag performers, specifically those within in nightlife, often overworked and underpaid. Having worked in the scene for over 15 years, Miranda has used her expertise to expand on some of her thoughts, providing Boston Uncommon with additional advice, tips, and commentary for drag performers who are returning to in-person venues.
"There will be people who say ‘I only ever got $40 a gig when I started 15 years ago’ and…they probably did. But times have changed,” Miranda explains. “Drag is a job that never gives you a raise. You have to demand what you want from the beginning.”
“If you start doing a gig for little to no money. You're stuck there. (Unless you get on one of the drag game shows). Most of us will never be that lucky, but still work just as hard or even harder than those who do,” Miranda said.
“Underselling yourself also undersells all of us. If you say ‘whatever I'll do it,’ then these promoters and clubs will never pay us more. Why would they want to pay me $100 when you will do it for ‘tips and exposure’?” Miranda said.
“You have to not be afraid to ask for more,” Miranda said. “You're also making your own mixes, transport to and from, and most times you're also expected to promote the club... People need to understand that you start working for them the second you start to get ready at home.”
“When people think ‘it's just a quick show,’ it's not. I start getting ready at 6:30 p.m. for a 10:30 p.m. show that ends at midnight. That's 6 hours of work. If you're taking $40 for that gig, you're making $6.66 an hour. That's less than half of the minimum wage,” Miranda said
COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: “Now Serving” contestants compete in “May the 4th be with you" challenge for week three of digital contest
For the third edition of the Serve Network’s digital drag competition, “Now Serving,” the remaining contestants were challenged to create unique alien characters for the Star Wars-themed episode.
Joined by guest judges and performers James Majesty and Erika Klash, the judges panel combined their scores with the fan vote to name Obsidienne Obsurd and Zad Gravebonde the top two with Zad ultimately taking the night and the Fleek Friday Cosmetics prize package. There was no elimination with five contestants still remaining.
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Bismuth Arsenide on her unique abilities and perspectives as a young drag artist
Through my 14-week coverage of Boston queer nightlife and the greater LGBTQ+ community, I have noticed a general lack of reporting on local drag industries and the performers and culture that define the New England scene. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore and understand their own regional culture.
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From her 6.5’ tall basement in Framingham, MA, Bismuth Arsenide— editorial self-portrait drag artist, college student— has been producing drag since August of 2020. Despite only having been consistently generating content since January 2021, Bismuth has established themself as a multi-talented force to be reckoned with, bringing something totally unique to the Boston drag scene. In her own words, “there is not a single queen I know who can do Bismuth the way Bismuth does it.”
