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VIVA LA DIVA! ISRAELI DRAGTIVISM
PAST AND PRESENT Queer and Jewish people have often been at the forefront of activism, advocating for a more just and equitable world. Many have used drag as a powerful tool to raise awareness and spark conversations about societal and political issues. This talk explores the role of dragtivism among Israeli drag artists: Jewish and Palestinian, Queens and Kings, across different eras, within Israel and beyond. We’ll also examine how these performers used the art of drag to address significant issues plaguing Israeli society such as pinkwashing, militarism and Ashkenazi-Mizrahi relations — including the events of Oct 7th and its aftermath. Our working definition of "Drag" will cover a wide range of performances that play with gender fluidity or gender nonconformity. We'll look at underground drag performances as well as more mainstream shows; consider drag artists who aim for polished looks as well as those who prefer a more satirical or comedic approach; and delve deep into the vibrant and fascinating world of Israeli Dragtivism. |
