General
butch queen up in drags
What does butch queen up in drags mean?
In ballroom's gender system, a butch queen is a gay man. 'Up in drags' means he's serving full female illusion for the ball, hair, face, gown, the works, while still living as a gay man, not transitioning and not identifying as a woman. It's a distinct lane in the system, separate from femme queens (trans women) and from butch queens walking as men. The drag is the performance for the floor, not the life.
"He's a butch queen up in drags tonight, but Monday he's back in a tracksuit at his day job."
Origin
Ballroom gender-system category; one of the six gender categories Marlon Bailey identifies in ballroom culture.
Frequently asked questions
What does "butch queen up in drags" mean?
In ballroom culture, it refers to a gay man serving full female illusion at a ball while not living as or transitioning to a woman.
How is "butch queen up in drags" used?
It names both a competitor and a ball category, as in "She's walking butch queen up in drags tonight."
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