ABSTRACT
The place of drag in the gay community has always been a source of controversy. Modern activists who believe that the most progress will be made by avoiding anything that might offend the mainstream straight world often wish the drag queens and female impersonators would stay in the closet. Other gay activists call such advocates of mainstream appearances assimilationists who deny the true natures of gay people. Speaking instead in favor of embracing diversity, they point out that homophobes are just as offended by two men in suits showing open affection as they are by men in dresses. In fact, they will often say, it was the drag queens who had the courage to finally confront the bigotry of the police at the onset of the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
