"Montesanti recounts her immersive entrance into St. Louis drag culture performing as Fender Bender, a drag king who ultimately transforms into a 'drag thing' that defies classification."
"Exploring the fluidity of gender and identity through parody and honest self-exposure, Montesanti learns about binding and the art of facial hair and contouring."
"As she clambers for success on stage, Montesanti copes with estrangement from her family and fights for her sanity in her battle with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder."
"Drag becomes a symbol of endangerment, glamour, and rebellion, set against a backdrop of anti-queer, anti-trans violence, making Drag Thing an anthem to survival."
Gabe Montesanti's memoir, Drag Thing, chronicles her experiences in St. Louis drag culture as Fender Bender, a drag king. The narrative explores gender fluidity and identity through performance, costume design, and personal struggles with bipolar disorder. Montesanti's drag persona becomes intertwined with her mental health challenges, reflecting a battle for sanity amidst familial estrangement. The memoir highlights the vibrant yet dangerous backdrop of anti-queer violence, using drag as a form of rebellion and survival. The author's drawings complement the narrative, emphasizing the theme of self-invention and authenticity.
Read at Queerty
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]