As early as 1882, William Dorsey Swann, formerly enslaved, became the first person in America known to declare himself a drag queen.

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Dublin Core

Title

As early as 1882, William Dorsey Swann, formerly enslaved, became the first person in America known to declare himself a drag queen.

Subject

The video discusses a 1888 news report that a drag ball (operated by, William Dorsey Swann, an African American, was raided by the police in Washington D. C.

Source

Channing Joseph, BBC REEL - YouTube - October 12, 2020 - 5:36
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT15sCRHKJU

Contributor

William Dorsey Swann: The first "Queen of Drag" | MASTERS OF DRAG | AMERICAN MASTERS | PBS

YouTube Video Item Type Metadata

YouTube ID

iT15sCRHKJU

Transcription

(William Dorsey) Swann was as out as you could be in the 19th century. He was so out that the President of the United States (Grover Cleveland) knew about him. It was well known in Washington D.C. - which is where he lived - that he was the leader of a queer community.