If there is one thing that brings queer people together, it's a good drag show. The drag show is an institution that has been around for decades, spanning across multiple generations, and it increasingly gains popularity each passing year. While there is possibly only one drag queen you may know if you are not queer or a fan, (Rupaul) there are so many reasons any person: gay or straight, should go see a drag show. Drag culture now is mainstream and it's crown jewel is the famous "Rupaul's Drag Race" hosted and created by Rupaul Charles, possibly the most famous drag queen ever to strut the runway. If you don't know what a drag queen is, a queen is someone who is generally a man, who dresses up as a woman for the purpose of entertainment. There are actually thousands of drag queens that live across the planet. And they all have a schtick, a personality, a stage name, and a talent. Whether comedy, lip syncing, dancing, modeling, or any other range of abilities, drag queens must exhibit at least one of these talents to make it big. Seems easy right, dudes? Slip on a pair of heels and walk around lip syncing to show tunes for tips? Wrong.

The life and rise of a drag queen is not easy. It involves a struggle, a personal war that rages in the soul of the queen. This ultimately manifests itself in the performance. This is what separates drag from any other form of entertainment. It's impossible to become mainstream because no one can just pick up a mic and do it. There is a magic to drag. And here's why.

Drag queens know how to do their makeup better than any woman I know. In fact, many drag queens are mistaken for supermodel women when in full drag. I can think of two queens that know how to do their makeup better than anyone. And look amazing doing it. This brings me to my first schtick: the modeling queen. The two queens below are named Violet Chachki (LEFT), and Miss Fame (RIGHT).

These two queens are supermodels. They certainly look like the most beautiful women you have ever seen, and that's because they probably are. With an expert hand and style, they are able to become the most beautiful models the world has ever seen. Of course they are in full drag. Take away the makeup, wig, and costumes, and they look like this:

Chachki, right; Fame, Left

Wow. They certainly do know how to evolve quickly. These two have been photographed by Steven Klein, have appeared in major fashion magazines such as Vogue and Interview.There are also other queens that sport different looks such as Acid Betty, who sports outrageous off the cuff outfits and makeup styles. She, along with Chachki and Miss Fame appeared on Rupaul's drag Race. Violet won once, but neither Miss Fame or Acid Betty have claimed the victory.

Comedy queens are also very popular. The most famous comedy queen is an insult comic who goes by the name Bianca Del Rio. Her witty, sharp tongued remarks made her mark on the world of drag unlike any queen before her. She is also working on a full length motion picture, starring herself called, Hurricane Bianca.

Although some queens specialize in comedy and fashion modeling, some are the run of the mill queens who perform a broad variety of acts that don't necessarily focus on one aspect of the entertainment industry. Some are singers as well. But the part of drag that most people watch for is the shade.

Comedy abounds in this aspect of the drag world. Although not seen in public AS much, Rupaul's Drag Race takes the world's best queens and pits themselves against each other in a fierce competition. Queens on the show are assigned tasks and challenges, striving to win the crown and the cash prize of 100,000 dollars, along with a year long supply of luxury makeup. The show has two main parts: pageantry and behind the scenes. The show also boasts a plethora of hilarious cutaway scenes and confessionals that make for hilarious viewing. Many iconic drag queen quotes such as "Not today Satan, not today", Bianca Del Rio, have been conceived on the show. Queens are eliminated until the final three compete for the Rupaul's nod.

So why watch a drag show or tune into Rupaul's Drag Race? Well, the show is terrific. Your local drag queens are a pillar of the community. They are kind of like mascots for PRIDE. They take elements of the gay lifestyle and turn it into an enjoyable experience. They act on a medium that many artists cannot, themselves. They have to sing, dance, travel, sew their costumes, earn money, entertain, tell jokes, remain relevant, do their own makeup most of the time, and they have to be upbeat and happy. It's a hard but rewarding life.

But these aren't cheap wigs and fake eyelashes. The makeup has to be top of the line. The shoes have to be fitted for men. The outfits can range from $200 to thousands of dollars. The wigs can be hundreds or even thousands. Being a dynamic queen is tough on the bank and the financial payback usually means that the queens have to take second or even third jobs to supplement their income. These girls work harder than most mainstream performers. They are not clowns. They are not pop artists. They a a living, breathing piece of art. The stuff they bring to the table is beyond ordinary. They are their own managers, makeup artists, vocal coaches, and script writers sometimes. They embody the phrase: I suffer for my art. Drag is a living breathing form of art. It encompasses all the heartache and all the work of show business.

"The reason I love drag, is because it brings us back to a time where the girl had to do everything. She had to sing, dance, sew, look gorgeous, have tons of stamina, and have a dream as big as her hair. I think the spirits of Bette Davis and Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe live on through these performers. It's very exciting" - Lauren Hernandez; Curator; Madame Tussaud's Hollywood.