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HIGH GEAR

Queen Anne's Lace

by

Yer Fat Aunt Annie

Question: Exactly what is the sexual turn-on for a drag queen. The clothes? Men? Or is it a lot more generalized?

I'm so glad someone asked that. It ought to keep me in matérial for this column for at least seven years! Like almost any question that is asked about drags in general, it has as many answers as there are people involved. That, by the way, is the point of a lot of this palaver-queens is people too. And just as more generalized gays do not like to be put in pigeonholes and simply called "gay", so it is with drag queens. And it isn't even a matter of liking or not liking to be put into pigeonholes. It's more a matter 'that because we are all different human beings with different backgrounds, we CAN'T be put into categories.

Some generalizations are possible, however. But as sure as you judge the next queen you meet by them, you'll find you're totally wrong.

I suppose one of the biggest problems is just how to define being "in drag". For example, I remember one night last Summer in Gypsy's when I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. There he (she?) was, in a shell necklace, embroidered long sleeve loose shirt, tight

hiphugger pants in a soft rose color and platform heels in the unisex fashion. And very haughtily announced, "I don't go in drag anymore." And there I was, in heels, hose and a dress saying to myself, "oh yeah-what in the hell do you call that outfit, shoulder bag and all?"

Flamboyant clothing styles are widespread in general society these days. And surely even more so in gay circles. So, except for slight differences in attire who's to say who is "in drag" and who ain't?

The whole point: clothes are a turn-on for many people. It's just the style that's different. But unquestionably, far beyond the attractiveness which certain clothing styles may have for the sexual prey one is seeking, drags in general are very taken by the feel and appearance of feminine clothing. They enjoy the sensual feel of soft nylon and the look (even in a mirror, why do you think they spend so much time in the Ladies' Room?) of long supple legs clad in sheer dark stockings. They're excited by the bright colors, revealing cuts and body accentuating styles.

I, for one, would NEVER be seen in a pants suit. I enjoy the feeling of a skirt. Of long hair around my face. And of the consciousness that my legs are

always on display. I'm even comfortable in high heels -and I don't mean the clunky heavy unisex kind either. I just feel happier that way and I know that lots of my "sisters" have said they do too. As a result, I

JONORONODO

probably have more dresses in my closet than many career women. Let them wear the pants. I'll settle for wearing the panties. But that is only a small part of the turn-on for many drags. Some fall out at this point. And if the clothes they wear are their only excitement, they seldom--if ever-stray

Scaggnolia

December 1975 beyond the "closet" of their own home or a lonely, secluded motel room somewhere.

At some point in the "career" of some of these closet queens,. a switch flips over inside their heads and they become interested in their total external appearance as it appeals to others. When that happens, a shift occurs from a person who dresses to a total feminine personality in many people. And since, quite naturally, a part of every total femme personality is having a man in "her" life, she starts looking for one. Consciously or unconsciously. Since female attire is basically sensual in all its forms -and the female personality is a sensual one it's an easy shift from just clothes to wanting to be a female and carry out all the functions of a female, including the sexual functions. Since one must make do with the equipment one has... the results and techniques are inevitable. And the mating dance can be seen in just about any gay bar in Cleveland (or the world) just about any night.

So, I guess the answer is... for some its clothes. For others, its men. And for a few... it's just the whole concept of "being female" in all its forms from clothes, jewelry, perfume and sex to having doors opened for them and their cigarettes lighted. But each person has a different viewpoint and a different way. Because they're different people.

Wednesday Dec. 31. 1975

the ROARING TWENTIES are back! NEW YEAR'S EVE 1928 AT TWIGGY'S PLACE

Best 1920's costume will win two round trip tickets to New York City

GUEST APPEARANCE MISS GAY OHIO1976

Try Our House Drinks That Night: The Valentino And The Harlow TELL 'EM TWIG TWIG SENT YOU

2537 St. Clair

in Cleveland, Ohio

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