The document discusses the experiences of Ford and Jose, a gay couple involved in the vibrant Leeds drag community. It highlights their perspectives on drag culture, the creative process behind their transformations, and the confidence they gain from dressing in drag. The narrative reflects on the support within the community and the fun and challenges of performing in drag, as well as the couple's loving relationship beyond their drag personas.

2. Sometimes our modern culture and the
narrative about gender and sexuality can
blur the lines between what is reality and
what is art.

3. A trans person believes they have been
born as the wrong gender, and should be
in a different body.

4. A drag queen is an act, or a character.
Usually male, the man can dress as a
woman and adopt another persona.

5. Ford, 24 and Jose, 19 are a happy gay
couple from Leeds. Ford works at The
Viaduct Showbar in Leeds and the couple
sometimes enjoy going out dressed in
drag.

6. Ford has been a part of the Leeds drag
community for 5 years.

7. Ford: “The drag community in Leeds is
very vibrant and varied, but has changed
over the 5 years I have been a part of it.
There are different styles of drag, such as
camp, glitter and sequin wearing queens,
to "fishy" queens that try to look as
passable as they can wearing high street
brands, and the lady bears who are big
guys with hairy chests and beards in
dresses for example. Over the years there
have been many fights, bitching and
bitterness, which still gets brought up
when certain Drag Queens have a
microphone and feel they can insult other
Queens to add to their comedy, but there is
also support too, where some of the older
and established Queens have helped,
supported and guided the newer queens
and become their "drag mothers.”

8. Jose: “I have only done drag around 7 times now. Sometimes, for one night, I just want to feel what
it is like to be a woman. For example, when I see an outfit on a woman that I like, I instantly want
to try it out myself.”

9. Jose: “It takes me so long to shave. I’ll miss my beard. It will be back in around a week,
I look like a little boy without it. Has to be done though.”

10. Ford: “I won’t need to shave my stomach tonight as it will be covered up, but my chest
however will be out.”

11. Ford: “I like to take my time when I do my makeup as I like to watch the process of
myself changing.”

12. Jose: “It takes me a couple hours to get ready, always takes Ford longer than me. My
makeup is more toned down than Ford’s.”

13. Ford: “I’ve been dressing in drag properly for around 2 years. I’ve always been a fan of creativity
and dressing up, to me this was another form of fancy dress. Purple is my favourite colour. I love
glitter.”

14. Ford: “My drag mother is Youtube. I learned how to do my makeup and picked up a lot
of tips from other Queens on there.”

15. Ford: “By watching other Queens and Youtube videos, I’ve learned so much about how
to disguise my sideburns and eyebrows.”

16. Ford: “I dress in drag when I feel like it. I will when there’s a good theme at work, or
whenever I feel like there’s a good enough reason to dress in drag.”

17. Ford: “My boobs are sacks filled with rice. I insert them into my bra, and pull up the
tiny bit of flesh I have there, and contour the area with bronzer to create a defined look.”

18. Ford: “The term ‘fishy’ refers to a man looking so convincingly female, you wouldn’t be
able to tell he was actually a man.”

19. Jose: “We put holes in our tights in the crotch area to make going to the toilet a little bit
easier.”

20. Jose: “I haven’t shaved my legs today, but by wearing three pairs of tights I can disguise
the hairs on my legs.”

21. Jose: “Ford and our friend James gave me my drag name. It’s Katy Peri Peri, because I
work at Nandos.”

22. Jose: “Nearly forgot to stuff my bra! I got some weird looks holding this bra against me to see if it
would fit in Primark. I just use underwear to stuff it as I don’t have sack-boobs like Ford.”

23. Ford: “Wearing a waist belt will clinch in my waist, giving me a more feminine shape.”

24. Ford: “I don’t know whether to be blingy tonight, or classy. Nah, f**k it I’ll be blingy.”

25. Ford: “My drag name was given to me by my friends. It’s Franny.”

26. Ford: “I love my wigs. My favourite wig cost me £90 and it’s my pride and joy. However, it’s
really heavy. So I’m gonna stick with this one. I really like it.”

27. Ford: “Depending on which shoes I wear depends on how much pain I am in. Heels complete
the outfit. I wouldn’t go out in drag without heels, it would be like not wearing a wig!”

28. Ford: “I don’t refer to myself strictly as a drag queen as I am not paid for dressing in drag. I
would say I do drag, I work in drag, and I enjoy drag.”

29. Ford: “I feel more confident. Some people feel like they have an alter ego when they are
in drag, to me I become more confident, cheeky, cocky and funny.”

30. The Viaduct Showbar, Lower Briggate.

31. Jose: “LET’S PARTTTTYYYYY.”

32. Jose: “I always do drag with Ford, when we are both in drag it’s some of the best nights
I’ve had. We have so much fun.”

33. Ford: “I can be a bit more flirty with men at work, they normally buy me drinks. Even though
people know I am a man, they still tell me I’m gorgeous and ask for photos with me.”

34. Ford: “I wouldn’t say I’m any more or any less attracted to Jose when he is in drag. I like his arse when
he has skimpy dresses on. I’m bisexual and I know I prefer boys, I wouldn’t generally go for girls.”

35. Jose: “Sometimes for a joke, I will use the girls toilets when I’m in drag. Sometimes it’s
the men’s I use. It just depends on how I feel.”

36. Jose: “Sometimes I wanna be lady-like and sit down. But it’s just easier to stand and pee.
Especially with holes in my tights for easier access.”

37. Jose: “By dressing in drag you can go out and be someone else for one night, and don’t feel as
scared about how you look. If you’re with others in drag you feel even more confident.”

38. Jose: “I never used to tuck, but I have tonight. Yes, it is very uncomfortable.”

39. Ford: “No matter what we dress like, I know Jose is the same person. When we go home
and get out of our clothes, he is still the man I am in love with.”