Social Media Negativity: Impact on Drag

Social Media Negativity and its effect on Drag Performers

Social media: the land of cat videos, endless memes, and, unfortunately, a lot of negativity. While it can be a fantastic place for self-expression, creativity, and community building, it also has its dark corners, and has become a breeding ground for negativity, particularly targeting marginalized communities... and even within those communities. Among those most affected are drag performers, whose art and identity often attract unwarranted criticism and hate. Drag performers, who dazzle us with their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, often face bullying and disrespect online. Let's dive into the serious repercussions of this negativity and hostility on social media, which are profound and far-reaching.

Mental Health Impact

The constant barrage of negative comments, harassment, and hate speech can take a severe toll on the mental health of us drag performers. Imagine trying to contour your face to perfection while dodging virtual tomatoes thrown by internet trolls. Many performers have reported experiencing anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as a result of online abuse. It's like trying to do a death drop on a slippery stage—dangerous and downright scary. The anonymity of social media allows individuals to spew hate without facing immediate consequences, making it a relentless and pervasive issue.

Mental Health Impact: When the Shade Comes from Within

It’s one thing to get trolled by strangers, but when the claws come out from within our own fabulous community, it hits different. It's like being read for filth by your favorite auntie! It's deeply disheartening when the negativity we often face from outsiders comes from within our own drag community. As drag performers, we’re supposed to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders… we should be uplifting each other and celebrating our art, yet sometimes the harshest critics are fellow performers. Sometimes, the shade gets real, and it’s coming from someone who knows exactly how much glitter, glue, and grit goes into our art. It’s like, "Come on, sis, we're in this together!"

The constant barrage of negative comments, harassment, and hate speech from someone who understands the struggles and dedication involved in drag can take an even more severe toll on our mental health. It's one thing to face criticism from strangers, but when it comes from someone within our ranks, it feels like a betrayal. The constant barrage of negative comments, harassment, and hate speech from fellow kings, queens, and in-betweens can take a toll on our mental health. It’s tough enough dodging shade from strangers, but when it’s your own drag community is throwing shade, it feels like miscalculating stage height during a tricky dance move - damaging and painful.

Many of us have dealt with anxiety, depression, and yes, even thoughts darker than the underside of a drag queen's contour kit… There are plenty of reports of performers experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a result of online abuse from other drag artists. The anonymity of social media allows individuals, even those within our community, to spread hate without facing immediate consequences, making it a relentless and pervasive issue.. It is too easy for even those within our community to be nasty, without obvious repercussions.

We must remember that the drag community should be a source of support and solidarity. By turning against each other, we only amplify the negative impacts and create a toxic environment. It's essential to call out harmful behavior and promote a culture of kindness and understanding. Let's stand together, support one another, and ensure our community remains a safe space for everyone.

Remember, we’re all here because we love the art of drag. Let’s sprinkle kindness and support each other. If we can't uplift each other, how in the hell are we gonna uplift anyone else??

Let’s put the claws away and show some love. After all, behind every fierce look is a real person with real feelings. Let's keep our community a safe and fabulous place for everyone.

Impact on Career Opportunities

Social media presence is crucial for the career advancement of drag performers. Negative attention and controversy can lead to lost opportunities, such as sponsorship deals, bookings, and collaborations. Venues and brands may shy away from associating with performers who attract significant online negativity, fearing backlash by association. Imagine being the fiercest drag artist on the block, but losing gigs because some keyboard warrior can't handle your fabulousness. Unfair, right? Worse when you do it to yourself and don’t even realize it.

Impact on Bookings:

1. Reputation Damage: Negative comments and online harassment can significantly damage a performer's reputation. Venues, event organizers, and potential clients often research performers online before offering bookings. If a performer's social media presence is marred by controversy or negativity, it can lead to concerns about potential backlash or trouble associated with booking that performer. This can result in lost opportunities, as venues may choose to avoid perceived risks.

2. Decreased Engagement: Negativity can reduce a performer's online engagement. When fans and followers witness constant negativity, they might disengage to avoid the toxic environment. Lower engagement can translate to fewer likes, shares, and comments, which are often metrics used by potential clients to gauge a performer's popularity and influence. Less engagement can make a performer appear less in demand, reducing their appeal for bookings.

3. Stress and Performance Quality: The mental health impact of online negativity can affect a performer's overall well-being and performance quality. Anxiety and depression stemming from online harassment can make it challenging for performers to maintain their usual high energy and creativity. If a performer's quality suffers, it can lead to negative reviews and word-of-mouth, further reducing future booking opportunities.

4. Hesitation from Brands and Sponsors: Brands and sponsors often collaborate with drag performers for events, promotions, and campaigns. Negative attention and controversies can make sponsors hesitant to associate with a performer. They might fear that any association could lead to negative publicity for their brand. As a result, performers might lose out on lucrative sponsorships and collaborations, which can also affect their booking potential.

5. Community Support Erosion: The support of the drag community and fan base is crucial for a performer's success. Negative social media interactions can erode this support, making it harder for performers to mobilize their fan base for events and shows. A strong, supportive community is often a key factor in securing bookings, as it assures venues of a good turnout and a positive atmosphere.

6. Professional Relationships: Negative online behavior can strain professional relationships within the industry. If a performer is seen as controversial or problematic due to the negativity they attract, other performers, agents, and industry professionals might be less inclined to work with them. This can limit collaborative opportunities and referrals, both of which are vital for securing bookings.

In summary, the negativity faced on social media can create a ripple effect, impacting a performer's reputation, engagement, mental health, brand collaborations, community support, and professional relationships. All these factors contribute to their ability to secure bookings, making it essential to foster a positive and supportive online environment for drag performers.

Undermining Art and Creativity

Drag is an art form that thrives on creativity, individuality, and bold self-expression... But negativity is a major buzzkill. Negative comments and criticism can stifle this creativity, making performers hesitant to fully express themselves. When performers fear backlash, they may censor their performances, losing the magic of drag. We need their audacity and campy shimmer, not a watered-down version!

And when the buzzkill is a fellow performer…

Drag is all about creativity, individuality, and bold self-expression. When the shade comes from within our own fabulous ranks, it can really throw a wrench in our shiny gears. Negative comments and harsh criticism from fellow kings, queens, and NB royalty can stifle our creativity and motivation.

As drag performers, we thrive on pushing boundaries and bringing our unique visions to life. When we're worried about getting dragged by our own sisters/brothers/siblings, it’s tempting to play it safe. And playing it safe is the last thing drag should be about! When performers fear backlash, they may start to censor their performances, dimming their sparkle and losing the very essence that makes drag so unique and impactful.

It's like having a fabulous, avant-garde outfit ready to go, but you end up wearing your backup because you're afraid of what the other queens will say, or scrapping the handmade prop for fear of shade from a fellow king... Where's the fun in that? We need to lift each other up, not tear each other down. Let’s remind ourselves that every king, queen, and ‘tween brings something special to the table, and it's that diversity that makes our community so incredible.

So, to my fellow artists, let’s put down the shade and pick up a positive megaphone of reinforcing empowerment. Celebrate each other’s creativity, and let’s keep the art of drag as bold, vibrant, and unapologetically fierce as it’s meant to be. The world needs more of our fabulousness, not less!

Erosion of Community Support - No Tea, No Shade, Just Sadness

The drag community relies on mutual support and solidarity. Negative social media interactions can create rifts within this community, leaving performers and fans feeling isolated when performers and fans alike may become wary of engaging openly. This makes it harder for performers to find the encouragement and camaraderie they need to thrive. It's like showing up to a kiki and finding out everyone left early....

When negativity starts coming from within, it can create rifts that leave us all feeling less fabulous (to put it mildly). When we throw shade at each other online, it doesn't just hurt the person on the receiving end. It chips away at the very foundation of our community. Performers start to feel isolated, and fans might hesitate to show their support, fearing they'll get caught in the crossfire. This makes it harder for us to find the encouragement and camaraderie we need to truly thrive.

Drag is all about lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. When we start policing each other's performances with negativity, it takes away from the magic and fun that makes drag so special. Remember, we're all in this together, facing enough external hate as it is. Let's not add to it by turning against each other. It’s fine if you don’t like another performer or the language that they use to express themselves. If they offend you then take it up with them personally, not on a public post. And IF you feel that it is necessary to put it out there to the online universe… don’t be vague. That won’t get any resolution.

So, let’s ditch the drama and bring back the love and support. There's nothing more powerful than a united drag community, shining bright and standing strong. No tea, no shade, just kindness and fabulousness all around.

Promoting a Culture of Intolerance

Negativity on social media does more than just harm individual performers; it promotes a culture of intolerance and hate. When hateful comments are left unchecked, they normalize discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. This not only affects the drag community but also reinforces harmful stereotypes and prejudices against the broader LGBTQ+ community.

When a drag artist spreads negativity online, it doesn’t just hurt feelings—it fuels that same culture of intolerance. Drag is supposed to be about love, acceptance, and fierce self-expression. But when we start tearing each other down, we’re doing the exact opposite.

Posting negative comments and hate about fellow performers creates an environment where intolerance thrives. It sets a tone that being mean or dismissive is acceptable, and that’s not the kind of community we should be building. We’re here to support each other, not to drag each other down—pun intended.

When we allow this negativity to spread, it doesn’t just affect the performers being targeted. It makes fans and other artists hesitant to speak up, fearing they’ll become the next target. This kind of atmosphere stifles creativity and makes it harder for everyone to shine. Instead of celebrating our differences, we start policing them, which is the last thing drag should be about.

As a new performer in the drag scene, I’ve experienced the fear of speaking up against negativity because I worry that I’ll be the next target. This doesn’t feel good at all. I’ve felt silenced for most of my life, and drag is supposed to be the arena where my voice can finally be heard. Yet in situations like this, those old feelings of being silenced come rushing back. So let’s stop being assholes to each other. Let’s create a community where every voice can shine and every performer feels safe to be their true, fabulous self.

We need to remember that every queen, king, and performer brings something unique and fabulous to the table. Promoting a culture of kindness and respect ensures that everyone feels safe to express themselves fully. So cut the shade and spread some love. Lift each other up, celebrate our diversity, and let’s keep the drag community as fabulous and inclusive as it was meant to be. No more promoting intolerance—just glitz, glam, and lots of love.

Call to Action: Cultivating Positivity and Support

To combat the negative repercussions of social media negativity, it's essential for all of us to take active steps in cultivating a positive and supportive online environment. Here are a few ways we can make a difference:

1. Report and Block: Don't engage with hate speech or negativity. Instead, report offensive comments and block users who spread hate.

2. Spread Positivity: Counteract negativity by sharing positive comments, encouragement, and support for drag performers. Think of it as tipping, but with words!

3. Educate Others: Use your platform to educate others about the importance of respect, tolerance, and the art of drag. Drop some knowledge like it’s hot!

4. Support Mental Health: Advocate for mental health resources and support systems for those affected by online negativity. Because even queens need a break from all the drama.

5. Be an Ally: Stand in solidarity with the drag community by attending shows, promoting their work, and speaking out against hate. Show up and show out for your drag fam!

Social media has the potential to be a force for good, but it requires collective effort to ensure it serves as a platform for positive change. By supporting drag performers and rejecting negativity, we can help create a more inclusive and respectful online world.

Spread love, not hate, and remember: a little shade is okay, but let’s keep it fun and fierce!