Preserving Priscilla – A History Of Gay Identity And The Drag Subculture In Sydney

Abstract

By exploring the point of departure from the modern and analysing how over time changing societal attitudes and a postmodern higher comfort factor for celebrating differences has shaped the cultural identity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community, we can gain a greater appreciation for both local history, and prevalent historical issues which have shaped and influenced the present moment we live in. The central ideas of postmodernity have allowed for the preservation of ‘The Priscilla Show’ performed at the Imperial Hotel. This particular social and cultural phenomenon has been kept and revered as a timely drag ‘tradition’ by the Sydney GLBT community.