We like to get dressed and we like to dress up. We like to dress up as someone else, as we can embody a character or take up a new role this way, while also being ourselves at the same time. We even like to wear the clothes of the other sex, as it can be a liberating, fulfilling experience. What if we would say that we could play a little more with roles and masquerade and experiment with pushing our own boundaries? This year’s LIFT will provide an opportunity for it among its programs.
But what on earth is LIFT?
LIFT is a communal elevator – if you take it, you open towards yourself and others. This elevator takes you into an inspiring feminine space and comes to anchor at a port of feminine culture. It draws you in from head to toe and navigates you to common grounds, where there is room for all kinds of discussion without caveats. We talk about what was the color of the lipstick of the muse that kissed you on the forehead most recently or how were you touched by politics on the time of the month, but there would also be chance for you to sketch a dance or turn up the volume and give voice to the fact that society tends to stereo-type in stereo, or rather in 5.1. And I could go on and on.
LIFT is a subculture-turned-community, where semblance is the standard, but labels are nowhere to be found. We are diverse in our lesbian identity and varied in our femininity, as femininity does not get stuck on a certain level – as LIFT does not get stuck either, but just so you know: it’s not a problem if you stick around. LIFT is a cultural festival of women, from women, not only for women, where you can let yourself be seen and shine honestly and cheerfully, and free your mind and self – where your soul can take the floor!
And who or what is drag?
First of all, let me introduce the word “drag”, a prevalent expression nowadays, which is the abbreviation of “dressed as girl”. Its female version also exists referring to women dressing up in male clothing: the word “drab” that stands for “dressed as boy” came into public use a little later compared to drag, but rather gracefully, like a suffragette in a turtleneck.
Throughout the course of history we can find many examples of men dressing as women, and women dressing as men for various reasons. Drag is not unbeknown to the history of theatre and that’s why the etymology of the word “drag” can be traced back to theatre slang: even though its origin is still debated, it has now been used for more than 200 years in print. “Drag” is a special form of cross-dressing, that also involves being a “drag queen” or a “drag king”, where being a queen implies a man who lays much emphasis on enhancing the female qualities, while the king does the same with the male qualities – as a female.
How come the king and queen are in the lift?
LIFT’s program this year includes an alternative “drag” workshop among many others. It entails challenges, thus it will be a little bit different. We as lesbians are familiar with wearing men’s clothes, dressing more manly; painting a moustache on our face, thus “drab” itself for us is almost ordinary. It can refer to a type of personal style and does not cause any discomfort or awkwardness. And here comes the second level with a baroque twist that came to the mind of the organizer of the above mentioned workshop: as we are so good at “dressed as boy”, why wouldn’t we try learning “drag” a little more as fully formed females?
It is an exciting topic and a great way of getting to know yourself a little better at the same time. With the help of putting on a few clothes or accessories not so common to us that aren’t among the ones we would normally wear every day, perhaps we could eliminate something from ourselves too. Fears, phobias, whimsies of any kind regarding ourselves – be it imaginary or real. Pushing our own boundaries, transcending ourselves, stepping out of our comfort zone we can feel liberated, as we are different. LIFT itself stands for the same values: the diversity of lesbian identities.
All is welcome who wish to play with us in pushing the boundaries of his or her own physical and mental closet, or just trying out something new.
God save the queens and the kings! We hope they attend LIFT this year!
The online program booklet of this year’s LIFT (in two languages) is available on the following link: http://www.labrisz.hu/10-lift-programfuzet
For more information on the organization of LIFT and details about each workshop see the Facebook page of the festival: https://www.facebook.com/liftfesztival
The photos were taken at the gig of Pink Csikk creep-panic band. Photographer: Tea Erdélyi
Author:Mihu
Translation: Lilla
