The Drag collective fighting for a queer, independent Wales
- Text by Ben Smoke
- Photography by Megan Winstone
The Welsh word ‘Cŵm’ is pronounced exactly how you fear it might be. It means valley, the landform perhaps most associated with the country. It’s within Wales’ famous Valleys that you can find a perfect example of the complexities and contradictions encased within the small nation. Amongst breathtaking natural beauty, there are pockets of deprivation; communities hung out to dry amongst the bucolic peaks and dips of the scars left by ancient glaciers.
It’s this area, and all the history, the struggle, the beauty and the pain wrapped up within it that gives its name to Cŵm Rag – a drag collective of Welsh queer people, who all left Wales and moved to London. After performing for years across East London at venues like Dalston Superstore and The Glory, the collective took to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), climbing the country’s highest peak in drag for Trans Aid Cymru.
Filmed for S4C, the homecoming saw the collective explore the realities of growing up queer in Wales, reflecting on leaving, and the communities that they’ve formed. Following an appearance on SC4’s Gogglebox, they took their show home to Cardiff with a sold-out performance at the Wales Millennium Centre in March. Photographer Megan Winstone was there to document the chaotic atmosphere backstage.
“From the Daughters of Rebecca, to us now, drag is political and has been used as a tool in Wales to disrupt, empower and revolutionise. I want to use our drag to dream, and create a vision of a Trans celebratory, tropical, independent Cymru.” BopaRhys
“Growing up in Wales, there was no visible representation of queer life, just sculpted rugby bodies and 'Siarad Cymraeg' being shouted in my face by schoolteachers. To see the drag community growing in Wales is fab and getting to perform in my motherland at the Welsh Millennium Centre with my girls was something quite special.” CeCe
“To confront the pressing issues of our time (climate crisis - hello!) we need to radically restructure society. Drag at its queer best, calls into question the norms underpinning the capitalist system. Down with the patriarchy, cariad!” Oberon White
"I hope that the baby queers in rural West Wales see me stomping round in some crusty wig and some PVC on a stage somewhere and think, ‘fuck yeah I can do whatever I want.'" Lasagna Sheets
“When we are on stage in Drag, we are standing with those in our community, both past and present, to demand our collective place within, forging a path to an independent Cymru that not only includes us but listens to the power of our voices. Cos yanno, there’s a reason why there’s a Drag on our flag babes.” TransNessa
You might like
The real life mermaids of Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs
Old Florida — A relic of pre-Disney tourism in the state, the show – which sees women perform athletic underwater tricks in a natural spring – has been running since 1947. Jack Burke attends, while reflecting on the fragility and fantasy of old America.
Written by: Jack Burke
The intricate, clandestine art of Japan’s traditional tattoos
Irezumi — Having emerged during the Edo Period centuries ago, inking skin has long been associated the country’s working class, and particularly Yakuza. A new book by Manami Okazaki explores the history and deep meaning of the practice, as well as the horishi who dedicate their lives to the needle.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Road tripping across 1970s America
73 Trip West — In 1973, Larry Racioppo set out from Brooklyn to California, armed with a medium format camera. For the first time in over half a century, roadside photographs from his trip have been unearthed.
Written by: Miss Rosen
New exhibition spotlights the ongoing impact of Japanese Women Photographers
1950s to Now — Taking place at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, it showcases work by 27 artists from the past seven decades including Mikiko Hara, Yurie Nagashima and Mao Ishikawa.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Migration stories from across the African diaspora
Praise House — Adama Delphine Fawundu’s new monograph explores evolutions of life, culture and family as African people have migrated and been moved forcefully across the world, from Brooklyn to Sierra Leone, to Saint Helena and South Carolina’s Sea Islands.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Celebrating the art of making out on tour with Tove Lo
The Kiss Book — In the wake of the pandemic, photographer Kenny Laubbacher travelled around several countries with the Swedish pop star, capturing the joy and desire of kissing fans.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
