What are Female Drag Queens Called? An In-Depth Look

Drag queens have long captivated audiences with their singular artform of gender performance. But the world of drag expands far beyond the glamorous gay men typically associated with the artform. There are also rising stars identifying as female drag queens. So what exactly should we call them?

As your personal drag expert and friend, I‘m here to unpack everything you need to know about this fascinating side of drag culture. Get ready to dive deep into the glittering world of female drag royalty!

A Brief Herstory of Drag

Before we get into the naming conventions, let‘s quickly explore the origins of drag performance. This will give us crucial context on why language matters so much.

Drag likely dates back to theater in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, where female parts were performed by men. Shakespeare‘s Globe Theater in 1600s England also had male actors play women‘s roles.

But drag as we know it truly flourished alongside the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the mid-1900s United States. With laws prohibiting dressing in so-called opposite gender clothing, drag became an act of rebellion among queer communities.

Legendary pioneers like Divine and RuPaul brought drag into the mainstream spotlight. But the artform maintains deep roots in activism and advocates for gender/sexual fluidity.

Now drag is having another major moment, with RuPaul‘s Drag Race introducing it to new global audiences. Mainstream visibility is rising. So language surrounding drag identities is evolving yet again.

Common Terms for Female Drag Performers

So what are some common names used for women who do drag as queens? Here are the main terms and their connotations:

Bio Queens

The term "bio queen" refers to a cisgender female doing drag. The "bio" specification separates them from transgender women performing as queens post-transition.

Pros: Simple and descriptive word. Specifically distinguishes cis and trans queens.

Cons: Potentially reduces drag identities to biology. Some argue cis women shouldn‘t qualify as "queens."

Example bio queens: Victoria Elizabeth Black, Eva Young

Hyper Queens

A hyper queen highlights extreme femininity in her drag persona. The name implies an over-the-top celebration of womanhood.

Pros: Focuses on the exaggerated aspect rather than performer‘s biology.

Cons: Still contains "queen" which some feel should only apply to men in drag.

Example hyper queens: Xochi Mochi, Rubber Child

Female Impersonators

Similar to actor/actress, this term highlights the performative nature of their female personas.

Pros: Gender-neutral way to acknowledge their act of gender impersonation.

Cons: Reduces drag to impersonation or mockery rather than art.

Example impersonators: Jim Bailey, Chi Chi LaRue

Faux Queens

"Faux" meaning fake, this play on words presents female performers as imitation queens.

Pros: Humorous twist on traditional "drag queen."

Cons: Implies women doing drag are less "real" than male queens.

Example faux queens: BibleGirl, Darby Lynn Cartwright

Drag Queens

Some women opt to simply share the classic "drag queen" title with male performers.

Pros: Gender-inclusive choice shows support for equality in drag.

Cons: Ignores unique perspective women bring to drag performance.

Example drag queens: Heklina, Landon Cider

Drag Kings

Women dressing in masculine drag pay homage to the "drag king" label.

Pros: Distinguishes from drag queens. Highlights women‘s involvement in male impersonation.

Cons: Limited to masculine personae. Many women embrace diverse personae spanning male to female expressions.

Example drag kings: Donna Slash, Ivory Onyx

Drag Performers

A gender-neutral compromise is simply calling all drag artists "performers."

Pros: Avoids gendered language and biology emphasis. Focuses on the performance art.

Cons: Loses the crucial identities many have claimed within drag culture.

Example performers: The Artist Formerly Known as Sasha Velour, Violet Chachki

As you can see, each term carries some controversy. Conversations continue on finding language that captures the complexity of gender and drag. But the main goal is upholding respect for all who engage in the ancient artform.

By the Numbers: The Rise of Female Drag

While male queens still dominate mainstream drag, female queens are rapidly on the rise. Here are some key stats:

• In 2021 poll, 65% of RuPaul Drag Race fans said they wanted to see bio queens on the show

• Between Sasha Velour‘s win in 2017 and Willow Pill‘s crown in 2022, 50% of RuPaul‘s Drag Race winners were AFAB (assigned female at birth). This includes several trans women and nonbinary contestants.

• Of 375 drag performers, 17% identified as female, according to 2022 study in the journal Sexualities

• In 2017, first cisgender woman (Sasha Colby) competed on a major televised drag competition, Ms. Continental pageant

• In 2022, Sasha Colby again made herstory as the first cis female winner of Canada‘s Drag Race

The message is clear – women are etching out more space for themselves within the drag community. And their one-of-a-kind acts are serving up artistic excellence.

Spotlight: Influential Female Drag Superstars

Now that we‘ve covered the terminology, let‘s look at some of the sensational women making names for themselves in drag:

Heklina

Notable for: Founder of iconic San Francisco club Oasis. Long-running one-queen show "Mother"

Her story: Heklina broke into drag in the ‘90s with glam-rock looks. In 2003, she established Oasis nightclub, creating a space to nurture the SF drag community. Her avant-garde acts fuse drag, dance, and performance art.

BibleGirl

Notable for: 750k YouTube subscribers. Pop music artist combining drag and digital media

Her story: The YouTube celebrity found viral fame with DIY makeup tutorials and candid vlogs documenting her life as a young L.A. drag queen. BibleGirl extends her brand through original music, merch, and more.

Victoria Elizabeth Black

Notable for: Winning "Best Drag Queen" at 2018 Glam Awards in New York City

Her story: This classically trained singer and actress brings true Broadway dazzle to drag stages. With Tony Bennett vocals and hand-sewn costumes, she pays tribute to Old Hollywood glam. She‘s proving female performers can excel in this space.

Landon Cider

Notable for: First drag king to win competition show, Dragula season 2

His/her story: Cider‘s innovative acts incorporate sci-fi, genderfluidity, and aerial circus arts. As a bearded queen turned punk king, Cider expands the definitions of drag for a new generation.

Eva Young

Notable for: Winning Miss National Elegance drag pageant in 2021

Her story: The first bio queen to ever compete at National, Young wowed judges with her professional dance skills and handmade costumes. She is dedicated to creating more space for female-identifying drag entertainers in the pageant world.

Sasha Colby

Notable for: First woman to win major televised drag competition, Canada‘s Drag Race season 1

Her story: With a background in ball culture, Colby originally faced pushback for doing drag as a trans woman. She overcame obstacles and slayed the Drag Race stage with iconic lipsyncs. Her historic win was a gamechanger for drag equality.

Beyond these stars, female queens and kings are solidifying their status across regional scenes. From Instagram divas to small town up-and-comers, women are tearing up drag shows and sharing their talents.

The numbers speak for themselves – women are an integral force in the evolution of drag. Their unique voices enrich the diverse storytelling within the ancient artform.

Why This Matters: Female Artistry in Drag Culture

You may be wondering why there needs to be so much discussion over female involvement in drag. It ultimately comes back to representation.

Like any creative field, drag has been historically dominated by certain demographics. But art thrives when we make space for more perspectives.

Women bring fresh viewpoints to drag based on their lived experiences. They put a spotlight on womanhood often missing from male-centered queer spaces.

Of course, not all female drag performers identity as women out of drag. They may be genderfluid or nonbinary. So their portrayal of femininity comes from a very different Angle compared to gay men.

The bottom line is that more kinds of artists practicing drag enriches the entire community. It gives audiences greater variety in storytelling, comedy, looks, and talent.

Inclusion takes time. There are still issues of gatekeeping and double standards that female artists face. But the landscape is steadily improving, leading to a future where people of all backgrounds can freely express themselves through drag.

So the next time you watch a fabulously funny queen own the stage, don‘t make assumptions about their identity. Enjoy the performance and let their art speak for itself. Because drag is truly for everyone.

Raising up Female Voices in Modern Drag

If you ask me, the solution moving forward is simple. We need to direct less attention at finding the "right" label, and more effort toward uplifting women‘s artistry in the present.

Here are a few ways you can support our fabulous female drag performers:

• Attend shows headlined by women. Seek diverse lineups that move beyond the status quo.

• Promote rising stars. Share new music, videos, and content from fresh talents.

• Start constructive conversations. Discuss issues facing female performers in an uplifting way.

• Donate to charities like Drag Story Hour which bring the transformational power of drag to kids‘ lives.

• Push for policy changes that let people freely express gender through dress and performance without discrimination.

With more allies like you dear reader, female drag entertainers can thrive as revered artists. Their legendary status will then simply speak for itself – no complicated labels needed.

The future is female. And with women‘s artistic power, the future of drag is blindingly bright.