Fashion has long been recognized as a means of self-expression, but for the LGBTQ community, clothing has become a powerful political tool. Anita Dolce Vita, founder of the queer fashion site dapperQ and author of “dapperQ Style: Ungendering Fashion,” delves into this intersection of fashion and politics in her new book.
Vita’s interviews with LGBTQ individuals revealed a recurring theme: fashion as a form of political resistance against the attacks on their identities. As far-right ideologies continue to target and erase LGBTQ people, fashion becomes a means of reclaiming their agency and celebrating their identities. Vita emphasizes that her book serves as a crucial political conversation during these trying times.
The resurgence of drag bans reminiscent of the 1940s highlights the current struggle faced by the LGBTQ community. In numerous states, lawmakers have introduced legislation restricting drag performances in front of minors. These bills, disguised under ambiguous terms like “adult cabaret entertainment,” pose a threat to transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, mirroring the oppressive “three-article rule” enforced by police in the mid-20th century.
Vita argues that these bans have regressed society to a familiar and disheartening place. Such developments further emphasize the timeliness of her book, which aims to shed light on the importance of queer style in resisting the control exerted by the right-wing agenda.
In her book, Vita presents interviews and photos featuring over three dozen LGBTQ individuals, including style influencers, activists, and artists. The content is divided into three sections: visibility, belonging, and liberation, exploring how queer style functions as a tool for self-affirmation, self-love, and liberation.
One individual featured in the book is Van Bailey, a model who uses “they” and “he” pronouns. Bailey discusses how clothing acts as a visual cue, enabling them to connect with other queer individuals and fostering a sense of community. Despite facing anti-trans legislation, Bailey finds solace in fashionable attire, emphasizing the empowering effect it has on personal well-being.
Vita’s book also highlights the supportive role played by parents in promoting their children’s self-expression. Lisa Cannistraci, owner of New York City’s longest-running lesbian bar, shares a heartwarming story of parental acceptance. Such stories serve as examples of how individuals can thrive when they are free from judgment, bullying, or harm within their own families.
Ultimately, Vita’s book conveys a message that transcends the LGBTQ community. It challenges the notion that clothing should be bound by gender and emphasizes the harm caused by rigid gender expectations and binaries. The issue at hand is intersectional, extending beyond fashion to include discriminatory practices based on hair texture or style.
Vita aptly concludes that these subtle methods of controlling bodies perpetuate white patriarchal and colonialist standards. By recognizing the significance of clothing as a political statement, we can strive for a more inclusive society that values diversity and challenges the status quo.
Source:
- How drag bans have made clothing a political statement, according to a queer style expert. (2023, May 29). NBC News.