Lea Pešec

Abstract

In a time in which gender norms are changing, my doctoral dissertation critically investigates how US-American drag performers not only challenge these norms but also (newly) define them—within and outside of digital spaces. 

Through the application of qualitative methods such as photo-interviews and online ethnography, this study offers new insights into the intersection of digital and physical expressions of identity. In the context of my doctoral dissertation, I have developed a unique, co-creative photo-interview technique, which augments traditional photo-survey methodologies with elements of queer methodology (Pink 2013; Thomas 2017; Heng 2019) in order to better understand the nuanced performances and identity negotiations of drag performers. This approach, based on the principles of queer methodology, which questions conventional research frameworks and advocates for fluidity of identity (Brim and Ghaziani 2016), illuminates the complicated dynamic of identity construction in the Digital Age. 

By investigating how drag culture contributes to the development and deconstruction of traditional gender roles, this research not only enriches the academic discourse on gender performativity but also impacts the broader societal perception of gender fluidity and non-binary identities, which represents a significant advance in both the academic and social landscape.