Radical Self-Acceptance (and Drag Queens)

There are lots of things that people in fat bodies aren’t supposed to be able to do. And for every single thing that we’re not supposed to be able to do, there’s an example of someone out there doing it expertly (along with all the other people who are out there just doing it because they can).

One of those things fat bodies aren’t supposed to be able to do is get in drag and perform. And of course, there’s someone out there doing it more than expertly. Lots of people probably already know about Eureka O’Hara, but I was only introduced to them earlier this year when my wife and I devoured We’re Here on HBO. From the start, watching Eureka perform was ground-breaking to me. They used their size to their best advantage, and never shrank from showing off their body, including putting themselves into really the best corsets I’ve ever seen. They owned the stage in every performance, sexy and warm one minute and then doing jumps and splits the next. They’re running a marathon up there and looking GOOD doing it.

The best thing about We’re Here was seeing the Eureka and her fellow Queens Shangela and Bob the Drag Queen, go into small towns across America and highlight the community. The show had all kinds of people—queer, straight, allies, amateur performers—transform themselves into a drag persona and perform for the town. Time and time again, we saw other people in fat bodies do amazing and fun drag performances and be applauded and supported by their communities. It was an amazing example of radical self-acceptance across the board. Watching each drag queen connect with their new drag daughters and bring out their best in each performance was moving beyond words.

There’s nothing that replaces the feeling of seeing someone who looks like you be entirely themselves. Unfortunately, the show had to be suspended because of the pandemic, so HBO did an episode highlighting the journey of each queen to becoming the performer that they are. It’s not surprising that David Huggard, who performs as Eureka, had a difficult journey and struggled with thoughts of suicide before finding drag. And then you see them perform with so much confidence and bravado, and you think that maybe you can do it, too. Whatever “it” is for you…

I’m hopeful that when it is safe to do so, HBO will put money back into the series and allow it to continue. Because it’s the kind of thing that helps expand perspectives, and that’s something that we really need.