Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City

by Elyssa Maxx Goodman

* The Millions Most Anticipated List of 2023*
*A Vogue Best LGBTQ+ Book of 2023*

From journalist and drag historian Elyssa Maxx Goodman, an intimate, evocative history of drag in New York City exploring its dynamic role, from the Jazz Age to Drag Race, in queer liberation and urban life

From the lush feather boas that adorned early female impersonators to the sequined lip syncs of barroom queens to the drag kings that have us laughing in stitches, drag has played a vital role in the creative life of New York City. But the evolution of drag in the city—as an art form, a community and a mode of liberation—has never before been fully chronicled.

Now, for the first time, Elyssa Goodman unearths the dramatic, provocative untold story of drag in New York City in all its glistening glory. Glitter and Concrete ducks beneath the velvet ropes of Harlem Renaissance balls, examines drag’s crucial role in the Stonewall Uprising, traces drag's influence on disco and punk rock as well as its unifying power during the AIDS crisis and 9/11, and culminates with the modern-day drag queen in the era of RuPaul’s Drag Race .

Including original interviews with high-profile performers, as well as glamorous color photos from exclusive sources and the author herself, Glitter and Concrete is a significant contribution to queer history and an essential read for anyone curious about the story that echoes beneath the heels.

"Deeply researched and featuring a cast of characters who can truly be described as fabulous, Glitter and Concrete is urban history on fire." — Thomas Dyja, author of New York, New York, New York

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Queer, LGBT, Audiobook, New York, Art

464 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

Elyssa Goodman is a writer and photographer specializing in arts and culture. Her work has been published in Vogue, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Vanity Fair, and others online and in print. Elyssa has also written about LGBTQ+ history and culture for Conde Nast’s them, where she was the site’s “Drag Herstory” and Queer Women's History columnist. She has been a freelance writer for 19 years and in love with drag for 27 years, since the age of seven.

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot and I think it's a very important one for the queer community at a time where drag artists and trans people are increasingly targeted on multiple fronts. That being said, it is a cultural history book and it is name heavy and sometimes really quite dense, prepare to take notes (or get yourself a paper version and use up some of that beautiful annotating material you've been stockpiling) if you're anything like me and can't remember names to save your life.

Maxx Goodman really starts from the ground up and doesn't presume that the reader knows much about the topic at all so if you're new to the idea that drag history is even a thing or to the world of drag itself. Long story short, it's a good book to build a solid foundation.

Even though the tone is quite matter of fact the book still relates a lot of heart wrenching stuff and it had me in tears a couple of times.

4.5 rounded up.

I received a digital review copy of this book ahead of its release (release date appears to be set for September 12, 2023) from Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press through Netgalley for review consideration, my thanks to both for the opportunity to read an review this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is great power in having access to one’s history, which should be a right and not a privilege.” This is such an important book, Goodman is able to connect with and preserve so many important members of the community that could easily be forgotten.

Every page is full of nuggets of queer history that make up a beautiful glittering tapestry. We have over 100 years of New York City drag history beautifully researched and organized. Starting from 1865-2023 this book is full of a beautiful collection of information on the history of drag in New York City. Drag has always been a political art form. From the back rooms run by gangsters in prohibition to Stonewall to modern clubs, drag has influenced and been influenced by the city that never sleeps.

Every chapter is bursting with information, you and all your friends should buy and read this brilliant accumulation of information.

[Meredith Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a good book. Extremely well-researched but so readable, covering drag queens and drag kings, gender performers and gender impersonation, clubs and spaces, and the scenes as they evolved. It has a heavy emphasis on the influence of cultural elements at play behind the changing scenes.

An excellent read if you want a look not just at drag performance in New York, but at evolving elements of gender and sexuality starting from 1865 and going decade by decade until now, from vaudeville through the pansy craze through the tie to organized crime and speakeasies, with biographic focus on so many major performers (both male impersonators, female impersonators, trans queens, genderfuck performers, rugirls, and more).

I will probably end up getting a physical copy so that I can have the proper layout and the photos as well. Five stars.

[Lindsey Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning and informative read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is great power in having access to one’s history, which should be a right and not a privilege.” Representation and knowing that others like you came before you matters. This is such an important book, Goodman is able to get and preserve so many important members of the community that could easily be forgotten.

Every page is full of nuggets of queer history that make up a beautiful glittering tapestry. We have over 100 years of New York City drag history beautifully researched and organized. Starting from 1865-2023 this book is full of information on the history of drag in New York City. Drag has always been a political art form. From the back rooms run by gangsters in prohibition to Stonewall to modern clubs, drag has influenced and been influenced by the city that never sleeps. Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book for an honest review.

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating topic and well-researched but oddly dry for a history that has so many colorful characters in it.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glitter and Concrete will be published September 12, 2023. Hanover Square Press, an imprint of Harlequin Trade Publishing, provided an early galley for review.

Growing up in the 70's seeing Milton Berle, Flip Wilson and Bugs Bunny on television, drag was always just another aspect of the entertainment industry to me. It was something that I felt normalized to. It was not offensive. It was not subversive. It was something that went back to the times of Shakespeare and likely even further. And, I have always been a huge fan of The Birdcage and The Adventures of Prscilla, Queen of the Desert.

I must applaud Goodman for doing her research. She presents so many amazing profiles from the history of drag, stretching back to the middle of the 19th Century up through the first fifth of the 21st Century. I appreciated how she explained the evolution of the art-form as the times and social norms changed as well. She weaves in the ongoing in the Big Apple with the lives of the interesting individuals, creating a living breathing narrative. I learned a lot about the culture from reading this book.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glitter and Concrete follows the history of drag in New York City.

I really enjoyed this one. I loved learning more about the history of drag. I will say this read like a history textbook. So that left me a little bored while reading this. But still enjoyed learning more about it.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone feeling hopeless in 2024, reading this book has reminded me of the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, it felt like a religious experience, like I was reading the bible. It was reassuring and it reminded me that queer people are here and they will do everything in their power to be acknowledged.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

I am so glad i got approved for this novel because i love anything drag and to read such an amazing novel that was researched and written so well and showed so many of the people who paved the way for drag was wholesome.. So many of these performers went through so much but still never gave up and showcased talent and class and bravery especially during the times they were alive this novel had alot of figures which ive known about but still even reading about them was great i also was introduced to many figures that i didnt know at all and im thankful for books like this so that our history is always talked about and the people who came before us deserve the flowers and stories need to be shared for a whole new generation for people to read i am so glad this book was written.. From crystal, to candy, to holly woodlawn, sylvia rivera, marsha, flawless sabrina too just soo many more people. Yall need to read this one if you love drag it showcased so many different elements of drag.

Also sharing alot of facts about movies and plays and people who broke down so many barriers and doors this book was great.

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and very detailed look at the history of drag - and was clearly a labor of love for the author. The book is a mix of narrative descriptions of history, generally broken or by decades, and what felt like bio sketches of individuals and performers. I must confess to preferring the former to the latter, because I enjoyed the bigger picture presentation. The individual stories were great as examples to highlight the timeline but sometimes over-powered the overall narrative. Still it was a fascinating peek behind the curtain and a very interesting and thorough read that led me to Google search so many fabulous images and videos!

[Corvus]

DNF, couldn't get into this, not sure why. Not bad.

[jedbird · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

Comprehensive history of drag in NYC, full of detail and personalities, but 1/2* off because there are barely any photos.

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on a deep dive into the vibrant history of drag in New York City, from the late 1800s to the present day. What I appreciated most was how the author made this complex subject accessible, even if you're new to the world of drag. Goodman's research is impressive, and she introduces you to various fascinating characters and events that have shaped drag culture. The book doesn't shy away from the challenging moments, like the AIDS crisis, and it beautifully illustrates how drag has always been a political art form. Plus, it touches on RuPaul's emergence and influence. While it can get a bit name-heavy and dense in places, it's an essential read for anyone interested in drag, LGBTQ+ history, or the vibrant tapestry of New York City's queer culture.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glitter and Concrete will be published Sept 12, I was lucky enough to read an ARC via NetGalley, thank you!
This book really highlighted for me how every group has a deep history, and how so many of these groups’ histories are only often partially known by some members of the group itself, and rarely by people outside the group. Having a book like this, which pieces together the history of drag, specifically set against the backdrop of New York, is a really powerful thing. The book is incredibly well-researched and provides the information in a loosely chronological manner, with chapters dedicated to different eras, like Taylor Swift’s recent concert.
I learned a lot about drag, about the different types of performers and what drag means to them, about the house system in New York, and about the ways the culture changed to become what it is today, post-Drag Race. I was fascinated by how far back the roots of drag extend, besides what we always hear about all the roles in Ancient Greek plays being played by men.
I appreciated reading and learning about this underrepresented and often misunderstood community and would recommend this book to anyone!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Harder 2024: Read a book about drag or queer artistry.

[ElphaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC of this book at ALAAC23, and to Elyssa Maxx Goodman for signing it!

This is an expansive and accessible look at the history of Drag in New York City, starting from the 1800s and going up until today. Goodman has thrown in so much research and brought in so many stories and voices that deserve to not be forgotten, and I loved how she really captures all this information and presents it in a way that is so interesting and easy to understand. While I knew some things, I learned a whole lot, and I definitely encourage people who are looking for a comprehensive review of this particular setting and history of drag, this is the place to look. I hope that as time goes on we get more history lessons from different areas, as drag and queer culture can be so different from place to place.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting. Looking forward to the extensive further reading and viewing suggested!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review copy from Netgalley for review consideration):

Harlequin’s nonfiction publishing arm has put out a recent title, “Glitter and Concrete,” that captures a history of drag especially in New York. The author’s first on-screen encounter with drag was a film called To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newman which starred Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as they play drag queens to drive cross-country to get to Los Angeles. When the author got older, they went to their first drag show with their parents, and then to another drag bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And eventually, of course, watched RuPaul’s Drag Race. That notion of glamour triumphing over negativity is a powerful one, that guided the author through self-doubt, self-acceptance, and self-love. They view drag as an art form to be revered. People who are unapologetically themselves.

As the author asserts, it is important to preserve the tales of those who came before, and who have since passed on, as icons within the drag communities. Whether libraries and archives like to admit it or not, and in spite of the push toward more institutions that highlight LGBTQIA+ archival and other materials that should be preserved, the are many political forces that are trying to fight that and the information workers have had to push back very hard.

While other cities have deep histories of drag including Atlanta and LA, New York is the global, urban epicenter of culture and that has always made it a sacred place for drag. There’s a lot more to drag than what’s on the surface.

The author takes us back to 1865, right at the end of the Civil War, in New York City. Learning about Ella Wesner doing a photo shoot, a woman as a male impersonator, she was also a dresser to male impersonator Annie Hindle. Moving on to the 1910s and early 20th century, readers learn more about what happened, for instance, with the onset and throughout the First World War. Prohibition. How this affected nightclub operations. One of the other performers to have come from this time period was Savoy, and countless others including one readers may be more familiar with, Hollywood actress Mae West. She wrote ‘The Drag as The Pleasure Man,’ and keeping a drag ball as integral to its setting as a Broadway play, despite the calls for censorship. West continued to work with drag performers and with gay men.

Legendary Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes is also discussed in the book, as the author discusses how drag balls continued to find wide audiences. “Local papers and national Black newspapers covered the [Hamilton Lodge Ball] every year.” New York royalty like the Astor and Vanderbilts purchased box seats, as did Tallulah Bankead and other ‘gay icons’ of theater.

As the reader moves to the sections that overlap the Second World War, they also get introduced to the role that the mafia had with nightclubs and how their world pushed up against that of drag.

Some decades are more interesting than the others, and of vital importance is the discussion of the Stonewall Uprising, which became “an inflection point for queer liberation.”

As the decades roll on, the author covers the AIDS crisis that dominated most of the 1980s and 1990s. There’s also some discussion of the documentary Paris is Burning, which I won’t spoil for readers, although I will say that Dorian Corey is quoted in this section, which was great. I want to call attention to because I know that this vital piece of queer history and of the ballroom scene is of crucial importance.

Readers also get the history of how RuPaul came onto the scene, including the lead-up to his song, “Supermodel” released in November of 1992.

The section from the 2000s on talks about other drag performers, and while it caps off the book chronologically, it might have been more beneficial to include more prominent figures from today like Leiomy who was a judge on all 3 seasons of the reality series “Legendary,” or to discuss more about the show “Pose” and how it changed discussions of ballroom and drag culture. Overall, it’s a good primer and text that will help people understand more about the subject matter.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, which looks at the history of drag in New York City from the 1860s to 2023, was an interesting introduction to a subject I didn't know a lot about. I've seen performances that incorporate drag and drag aesthetics (Justin Vivian Bond as Kiki in the cabaret duo Kiki and Herb, Taylor Mac and Matt Ray's "Bark of Millions, with costumes by Machine Dazzle), but I don't think I've ever seen an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. And I was only slightly familiar with a lot of the other aspects of drag history and drag performance over the decades, from morale-boosting/comedic performances by male soldiers in the military during WWI and WWII to the ballroom scene of the 1970s and beyond.

The book is organized chronologically, with each chapter mostly covering a decade, though some chapters cover longer time periods. In each chapter we learn about what drag was like at that time in NYC: we get biographic details of key performers/figures, and we also learn about broader LGBTQ history and the larger cultural landscape at a given moment, and how drag was perceived, and who its audiences were. It was interesting to read about how "gender impersonation was a beloved genre of theater" in the mid/late 1800s, with male impersonators like Kitty Doner and Florence Hines and female impersonators like Julian Eltinge (who performed for the king of England in 1907!) and Andrew Tribble. I learned about early Harlem drag balls and how Mayor La Guardia banned drag between 14th and 72nd streets in 1933, and about Phil Black and his long-running Funmakers' Ball, and about the Theatre of the Ridiculous and how it used drag as part of its rebellion against realist theater.

While the chronological organization of the book made it easy to follow, there were aspects that felt somewhat repetitive, and I sometimes wished for more emphasis on the overarching themes/larger context and fewer biographical sketches, which sometimes felt a little disjointed from the narrative. But at the same time, telling untold stories and talking about individual people and their contributions to drag history and/or queer history and/or activist history is important, so I understand the choice to structure the book this way.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City is an intimate and evocative history of drag in New York filled with original interviews and glamorous color photos. Inspired to write this book after the passing of renowned drag queen Flawless Sabrina, the author describes her determination to preserve the stories of drag artists for future generations.

In the book, the author discusses the rich history of drag in NYC as she takes up beneath the velvet ropes of Harlem Renaissance balls, examines drag’s crucial role in the Stonewall Uprising, traces drag's influence on disco and punk rock as well as its unifying power during the AIDS crisis and 9/11, and culminates with the modern-day drag queen in the era of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She also points out that drag is an art form in the same way that film, photography, or literature are. What's interesting about drag is that it combines all these art forms. She stresses the importance of drag’s influence on American culture and recognizes it as a significant art form. She uses the term “image architects” to describe the queer contributions to glamour, specifically, not just images but stylists, photographers, and interior designers that set the standard for the visual culture that we have now. Deeply researched, Glitter and Concrete is an essential read for anyone who wants to know more about the history of drag.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Jaimielyn Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very much a history of queer life and drag in New York City, but it is also a love letter with how much care Goodman puts into the writing. It puts very clearly how young the mainstream history is when you start looking at the dates. It’s hard to imagine a life without RuPaul’s Drag Race and the greater presence of drag in every day life, but it existed against everything that tried to bring it down. And as the book regularly points out, drag kings and non-gender-conforming drag performers exist!!!

This was a particularly interesting read as I dance in the Lindy hop community, which needs to acknowledge its own queer intersections. The book touches on Harlem and the eventual white fascination with it that led to Black entertainers being on the bill of places where Black patrons couldn’t frequent (including the entertainers themselves when not working), and that intersects directly with Lindy hop. It’s good to see this information highlighted when so many people try to sweep it under the rug since it doesn’t fit the modern narrative or whatever.

This book will take you a while as it is a history and therefore information-heavy. With that said, it’s lovely to have much of this information in a central text with the last almost hundred pages dedicated to more literature to read and the citations for readers to see the fuller texts (plus an index for the book itself!). Goodman is a friend of a friend and I’m so glad said mutual boosted this book so I knew about it. I’d love for similar books to exist about the San Francisco, LA, Chicago, and other major scenes.

[Jk105 · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Glitter and Concrete” joins a number of lesbian and gay history books, including the much superior “Gay New York,” by George Chauncey. There is no denying the fact that Elyssa Max. Goodman did some research, highlighting numerous drag performers that even Chauncey fails to mention. I wish photos of these folks were provided—though lack of visuals is not the book’s only shortcoming. “Glitter” reads like a laundry list of drag/female (and some male) impersonators/entertainers and their brief bios are quickly discussed with very little social context of the historical time period they lived. Worse, the little commentary made about particular eras is written and analyzed through the lens of contemporary Queer and Gender Theory tropes. The word “queer” is promiscuously used to define lesbians and gay men who never defined themselves as such. And keep in mind that “queer” includes many heterosexuals who “identify as queer.” This was not a thing in 1880 through 1990. Gay scenes (especially pre-Stonewall, were not queer culture, and it’s offensive to erase the realities of lesbian and gay lives to impose a particular ideological perspective on them. Do read “Glitter and Concrete” if you have an interest in drag’s history and are prepared to google info on the names cited. But also be on high alert. These performers wouldn’t recognize or comprehend what this author makes of them.

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible look into the history of drag, both as we know it today and how it was known back in its origins. I thought the author did an amazing job with showing how the concept of drag came to be, what drag looked like in the past, and how it grew into the drag that has become larger part of the queer culture overall.

Some of the most interesting parts of this book were the earliest chapters, discussing the origins of drag and who the famous players were. I went down an internet rabbit hole looking up the names of the big players mentioned and learning about their histories. It was so awesome to find out so many things I never knew before about the history of drag.

Truly believe anyone interested in queer culture should pick this one up. It is set by decade but does jump around a bit.

[Heather Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting, and I learned a lot of just queer history, not only drag history. I liked how each chapter was a decade. I wish there had been more photos! The ones on color pages in the middle of the book were great, but I would put my book down and google photos of people and events frequently!

After a while, the lists and lists of names and places became... cumbersome. I realize this is more of an overview than a deep dive, but it was hard to follow at times. I also wish they had explained some of the terms for people who are not familiar with queer terms, or had a glossary at the back, or something.

This was INTENSIVELY researched! I'm very impressed with their work and attention to detail.

[Ronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is legendary, much like many of the figures addressed in it. If only history texts were written so dynamically but I suppose the subject matter, drag and New York City, demand the dynamic treatment.

Elyssa Goodman’s love and profound respect for drag is on full display. We, as readers, are immersed in different periods of time, seeing drag evolve and change and intersect with politics, celebrity, pop culture, the underground, advocacy, activism, and so much more.

If nothing else, this book is a needed wake up call for this time in our country when it is so easy for the uninformed to be blinded by false narratives. But Glitter and Concrete accomplishes a lot more than shining a light on drag as it honors our queer elders, ancestors, and icons.

[Sema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will absolutely have to go back and re-read the eras, the types, the NAMES of this history, and present of drag. At times it was difficult to keep up with the names and see the thesis through the personalities, but that's a good challenge to have. I learned so much about the fine line between acceptance and rebellion, and safety and limit testing. Between subversion and honest-to-goodness exploration. I appreciated the division of this book into decades/eras, marking time with the events and politicians impacting NYC while the drag culture found its footing over and over again. It spoke to the power of creativity and self-expression, even when you put your life on the line to have it.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times a little exhausting in its exhaustiveness, this is a fascinating history of Drag Queens. If Drag Queens are not your thing, this book's first three chapters are still for you, because the first three chapters cover the history of theater, cross-dressing, and transitional performance art on the stage and screen in America. The last three chapters are not just the story of Drag in modern NYC, but also a political observation. I was very appreciative of the author's knowledge. I got the feeling that the last three chapters included shout-outs to friends. A really fun book to read while you're visiting NYC and experiencing the stage scene.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is great power in having access to one’s history, which should be a right and not a privilege.”
113 pages of back matter, y'all. Almost a quarter of the book. Including a list for further reading, watching, and exploring digital archives. This is an incredibly detailed book, and I'm so glad it exists, but it is dense and not an easy breezy read. I also really do wish there had been more pictures. Three stars for my personal reading experience, but absolutely deserves that extra star for the resource that it is.

[V. Seitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while on vacation in NYC and i wish i read it sooner, so i could have visited the important spots in the book.

It was very interesting and i learned A LOT about New York, its culture and of course drag.

The book also really does a good job in conveying the feeling the city of new york gives its visitors. One really has the feeling the world is limitless and all dreams will come true, so it feels natural that drag is thriving in this city.

The author is right: The City does glitter!