I went to school in West Texas (bigotry Central). In elementary school in the mid-80s, it was tradition that the 6th grade class always put on a performance of ‘Guitarzan’ for the annual talent show, and EVERY year it was tradition that Jane was played by a male student.
The main difference of course is that it was played as humorous. A joke with a ridiculous coconut bra.
So it’s not that Texans have a problem with cross-dressing itself, but with taking seriously anyone who isn’t ashamed of it.
Which to me seems to make it even worse. I hate this state.
Yes, that’s a good point about the kind of progress that has been made. Minorities have always been tolerated in certain roles where they are perceived as non-threatening or entertaining, but progress is about allowing everyone to take part and be respected in the wider society.
This is absolutely against theatre traditions.
I was an angsty theatre kid. I would conspire to ruin every and any play for the remainder of my time at that school.
I literally did a monologue in drag and the school was fine with it. And this was the 90s. Things have gone backward, amazingly enough.
I went to school in West Texas (bigotry Central). In elementary school in the mid-80s, it was tradition that the 6th grade class always put on a performance of ‘Guitarzan’ for the annual talent show, and EVERY year it was tradition that Jane was played by a male student.
The main difference of course is that it was played as humorous. A joke with a ridiculous coconut bra.
So it’s not that Texans have a problem with cross-dressing itself, but with taking seriously anyone who isn’t ashamed of it.
Which to me seems to make it even worse. I hate this state.
Yes, that’s a good point about the kind of progress that has been made. Minorities have always been tolerated in certain roles where they are perceived as non-threatening or entertaining, but progress is about allowing everyone to take part and be respected in the wider society.