Drag Goes Mainstream in the Philippines, a Bastion of Christianity
The New York Times
For many performers, drag is not only a cultural phenomenon, but also a political statement promoting social justice and gay rights.
Before he put on the glittery neon yellow tasseled jumpsuit, donned the yellow wig, and lip synced and danced onstage under colorful spotlights, Paul Hidacan went through his preshow routine in a busy dressing room. He pulled out a small white Bible from his bag, sat down and read a verse.
“I grew up in my church,” said Mr. Hidacan, 21, who has attended service in cropped tops, skirts and boots, and started performing in drag last year. “I know there are some who raise their brows when they see me, but the pastors accept me.”
In many places in the Philippines, drag is becoming more mainstream, and more popular. It is no longer confined to comedy bars, gay pageants and L.G.B.T.Q. spaces. New clubs devoted to drag are opening. Drag queens are on fashion magazine covers, and are pitching name-brand products like MAC Cosmetics, Shell gasoline, Durex condoms and Samsung phones. Students of at least one public university recently held a drag competition.
The new visibility of the art form has come largely because of changing mores around religion and gender, as well as the runaway success of the global TV franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
But for many performers, drag is not only a cultural phenomenon, but also a political statement promoting social justice and gay rights that they hope will transform Philippines society even more.
Middle East Airlines has managed to fly through regional and civil wars since the 1960s. And it is still in the skies today.
If confirmed, the strike would be first time that Ukraine had used the weapons system, known as ATACMS, to strike inside Russia.
UNRWA, the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians, said its drivers were forced to unload supplies at gunpoint, in what it called one of the worst such incidents of the war.
Most people in the enclave are struggling just to survive Israel’s assault on Hamas, and experts say famine is imminent. Yet a few pockets of ordinary life have bloomed in defiance of the war.
A search for a solution to the crisis in Haiti is growing more urgent as gangs gain territory and thousands more flee their homes.
A search for a solution to the crisis in Haiti is growing more urgent as gangs gain territory and thousands more flee their homes.
The hamlet of My Lai is infamous for American war crimes, but now it holds lessons in resilience and how to let go of anger.
Donald J. Trump has promised a more aggressive approach, after the Biden administration worked to avoid open conflict with Beijing.
The two leaders will meet in Peru, where China has steadily expanded its influence in a challenge to the United States in its own region.
The president said stronger ties with South Korea and Japan are working, but did not address whether President-elect Donald J. Trump would continue his approach when he takes office in January.
Tensions among multiple sects in the country have long lurked just below the surface. As hundreds of thousands flee Israeli airstrikes in the south, those strains are worsening.