Dansih European Song Contest

[GerdG]

Guess what. The winning singer of this year's Danish contribution to the European Song Contest was not a woman in a dress or in trousers; neither it was a man in trousers (or a kilt or even in a skirt). No, it was a man in a dress, completely disguised as a woman; rather obviously a transvestite or drag with the song Drama Queen.

I don’t know whether this is good or bad thing. But at least it proves that people in general cannot be as conform as we might usually believe.

The link leads to a gallery of a Danish newspaper showing the “manwoman” in action.

He can be seen in Finnish television May 10.


http://ekstrabladet.dk/gallerier/article270288.ece

GerdG

[Departed Member]

Oh dear! Drag Queens strike again! Another very public obstacle for those who just 'prefer to wear a skirt'. :shake:

[Stu]

I confess I don't see it as an obstacle, Merlin. This chap is a drag quesn and that's manifestly a very long way from a masculine-looking man wearing a skirt-type garment in a masculine context. People simply need to see more men wearing skirts as men, and that skirts can actually enhance masculinity.

Stu

[Jock]

I confess that I side with Merlin here. It just seems that whenver there is a man 'not in pants' he is some sort of drag act or TV. Yes, the public do need to see ordinary guys in skirts - but do they? No.

Compare 2 adverts on Brit television:

1) - 2 guys obviously in drag for a humorous(?) approach to selling cleaning materials.
2) - An ad for a large insurance company featuring a young woman with short hair and a black pants suit leading a singing troupe. When I first saw it I thought it was a chubby boy as all the other girls are in dresses.

So: man not in pants = funny/wierd. Woman in pants =OK

(Usual Caveat here - everyone has the right to wear.....etc.etc.)

[davereporter]

Dilemma here
1) Everyone has the right to wear whatever they want including men dressing as women BUT
2) The public generally don't like men dressing as women (unless it is a comedy show) because
(a) it makes them feel uncomfortable
(b) it is expressly prohibited in the bible
(c) it sends out confusing energy

The problem is that because men dressing as women are generally the only time the public see men in skirts (except for kilts or other "traditional" costume) if you wear a skirt, the public assumes you are a man dressed as a woman and you attract the energy listed in point 2.

Personally I don't think this in any way helps people habitualise to the concept of a man being a man wearing a skirt.

If you want to do it or feel that it is appropriate for you so be it but personally I wouldn't recommend encouraging it or holding up these pictures as proof that men can wear skirts.

Dave

[GerdG]

Personally I don't think this in any way helps people habitualise to the concept of a man being a man wearing a skirt.

Dave

I certainly agree. Transvestites have always been looked down upon, and they should never contribute to make men in skirts accepted. Nevertheless this man has won a song contest, without his song being outstanding in any way – to my opinion. People have become tolerant.
He is NOT going to take masculine appearing men in skirts further. But perhaps he could take the fear out of some men just wishing from time to time to replace trousers with a kilt (without being Scottish) or a denim skirt. More men in kilts or appropriate skirts would mean a progress, wouldn’t it?

GerdG – who is considering kilts to be most valuable additions to his wardrobe.

[ChristopherJ]

I certainly agree. Transvestites have always been looked down upon, and they should never contribute to make men in skirts accepted.

I think that's a horrible thing to say.

anyhow, Eddie Izzard might disagree with that statement.

1) He is not "looked down upon" as a transvestite.
2) He is accepted for what he is - a great entertainer and actor.
3) He has helped to get tranvestitism a little more widely accepted - including the wearing of skirts (although he does not do that in public much these days).

http://www.eddieizzard.com/home.izz

[Departed Member]

anyhow, Eddie Izzard might disagree with that statement.

1) He is not "looked down upon" as a transvestite.
2) He is accepted for what he is - a great entertainer and actor.
3) He has helped to get tranvestitism a little more widely accepted - including the wearing of skirts (although he does not do that in public much these days).

http://www.eddieizzard.com/home.izz

The thing is, Eddie Izzard is (bl**dy hilarious, but I digress!), in essence, taking the p*ss out of Transvestites! Excellent stage act, in the true spirit of Dame Edna Everage, who is a past master (or should that be mistress?) in the art of the 'p*ss-take' of 'drag' acts! :cheer:

[GerdG]

I think that's a horrible thing to say.

Sorry, it was not my intention to be rude or harm anyone's feelings. “Look down upon” and “look up to” are something most people do when they think of other people who are outside (their or society’s) general norms.
I suppose that transvestites are outside most people’s norms and also that they have a far way to go to be included in these norms.

If entertainers like Eddie Izzard, whom I have never heard about, Dame Edna and Peter Andersen can or have “helped to get transvestitism a little more widely accepted” it is certainly a good thing. Tolerance always is.

GerdG

[raindog]

Far from taking the piss out of transvestism, Eddie Izzard is a genuine transvestite, who's ranted many times about the freedom to dress in female clothes whenever he wants. He might crack jokes about dressing up, but he's also serious about it.
For myself I think that transvestites (or any 'way out' minority come to that) can only be a good thing for freedoms of all kinds. I admit I despise the general public, having to work with them every day of the week, and many are ignorant scumbuckets who make bacteria look like charismatic personalities....Anything which opens up the eyes and minds of these walking bile ducts can only be a good thing

[Departed Member]

Far from taking the piss out of transvestism, Eddie Izzard is a genuine transvestite, who's ranted many times about the freedom to dress in female clothes whenever he wants. He might crack jokes about dressing up, but he's also serious about it.

I standby what I said. He uses (extremely skilfully) the notion of 'transvestite' to fill theatres! No doubt, the majority of his audience turn up expecting (hoping?) he'll be wearing a dress, etc., etc. He's so uproariously funny, they probably don't even notice he isn't!

I cannot say he fits my personal(?) interpretation of 'transvestite', either, more 'cross-dresser'. Is there a difference? There's certainly a difference between 'dressing (up) as a woman' and 'dressing in (notionally) female apparel'. The fact that Mr Izzard prefers to use the 'TV' definition to describe himself, does not really alter the fact that he used to 'cross-dress' (grown successful enough not to bother, the cynics might say!). I sincerely doubt whether 'proper' TVs find him funny. :shake:

[raindog]

The cynic in me would agree with you Merlin. He has, though, waxed eloquently on the reasons he dresses as he does. Maybe he's like the rest and is using it for money and fame, I hope not though.
I haven't met any transvestites (as far as I know) to ask them what they think of him. I hope they aren't all humourless:)
The only time I've been tempted to dress totally as a woman was fancy dress. I remember it being a pain in the ass having to be so careful of my make-up and clothes etc. I'm a scruff-ball at heart.



Jeff.

[Departed Member]

The only time I've been tempted to dress totally as a woman was fancy dress. I remember it being a pain in the ass having to be so careful of my make-up and clothes etc. Jeff.

Yeah, even in 'fancy dress mode', it's bad enough messing around with make-up! It got me thinking, if I'm doing this to 'act' a role, then do women do it (make-up) for the same reason?

I suppose 'trying out' in fancy dress does highlight posture, sitting & bending techniques equally necessary when skirted, as well as being a good way for any bloke wanting to 'see what it feels like'.

[binx]

Nice tights!

binx