Drag Legend O'Grady Remembered

Matt Weaver at the University of Portsmouth writes in the academic news journal “The Conversation” about the artistry of the late Paul O’Grady and how he built on a long tradition of drag in British theatre to put LGBTQIA experiences centre stage and win over the love of the British public.  Matt writes “Drag is not only a unique display of artistry and a political standpoint; one of its primary functions has always been that of entertainment. Lily represented this profoundly, and it is important that the wider British public acknowledge drag performance’s popular past, particularly in uncertain times of shifting cultural attitudes towards drag artists and LGBTQ+ communities.    O’Grady’s dedication to media and charity work, as well as his contribution to the mainstream representation of LGBTQ+ people and drag artists will undoubtedly affect both heterosexual audiences and those who attended his shows, sharing a drink with Lily at a gay bar. Crucially he will be remembered by those who saw themselves represented on mainstream television at a time when queerness was still demonised.”