A multiple case study on drag culture and substance use

Abstract Use of alcohol and drugs has been a common theme in the United States, particularly among the LBGTQ community. Entertainers have been shown to have high rates of substance use due to performing in alcohol-related venues. The drag queen is both an entertainer and a symbol of the LBGTQ community, yet little research has been done on the role substance use plays in the drag community. The present case study discusses drag culture and how substance use plays a role in drag identity. Participants were interviewed and asked about their experiences with substance use and their perceptions of their peers’ substance use. Given that alcohol and drug use rates are higher in the LBGQ community than the sexual majority, the findings from this study are important in understanding the role substance use plays in the drag community.