Corporatization of Drag - Part 1

11/10/24 • 51 min

In this two-part episode on the corporatization of drag, hosts, Sam Perri and Pragnya Vella, interview Grayce Burns, a Harvard Law student, to discuss the rising popularity of drag as both a hobby and profession -- and as a form of both personal and political expression.

In Part 1 Grayce explains how corporate control over drag queens is reshaping drag, undermining unique local drag cultures and harming queens who go on popular shows like Drag Race through restrictive non-disclosure agreements -- or NDAs (as they’re called in the biz) -- and meager pay. Grayce explains how, despite those challenges drag persists as a vibrant form of queer visibility and artistic expression for queer identities.

In Part 2, the conversation continues, as Grayce sheds light on how some queens are pushing back to reclaim the activist roots of drag culture and offers ideas for how we can support local drag performers outside of the Drag Race monopoly.
Guest Bio:

Grayce Burns is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025 and a Linthicum, MD native. She’s interested in international litigation and arbitration, and enjoys examining issues at the intersection of law, philosophy, and economics. When the Law School lets her go outside, she enjoys hanging out with her hairless cat, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and cheering on any and all Maryland sports teams.
For more information and complete show notes, go to the episode's webpage: https://theflaw.org/?post_type=articles&p=4409&preview=true.
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Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
[F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
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Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
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Previous Episode

The Business of Boredom

Summary:

In this episode of [F]law School, hosts Jessenia Class and Thy Luong explore the corporate construction and manipulation of boredom with special guest Nelson Reed. They explore how companies have turned boredom into a profit center by pushing myths about why feeling bored is our fault and readily cured by purchasing their products. Get ready for a fascinating discussion about the business of boredom.

Guest Bio:

Nelson Reed is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025. He is also a graduate of Yale University. He is passively looking for bandmates.
For more information and complete show notes, go to the episode's webpage: https://theflaw.org/articles/flaw-school-episode-5-the-business-of-boredom/.
Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
[F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.
Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
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If you enjoyed this episode of [F]law School, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Class dismissed!

Next Episode

Profit Over People: The Housing Crisis

Summary:

In this episode of [F]Law School, hosts Haley Florsheim and and Mirei Saneyoshi examine the systemic roots of the affordable housing crisis with guests Sofi Scotti, David Hernandez, and Steven Rome, each of whom have written about this critical issue for The [F]law magazine.

From Boston to Newark to Miami, they explore how corporate landlords and developers are driving housing inequality, pricing out vulnerable communities, and wielding political power to shape laws in their favor.

Drawing on personal and community stories as well as as scholarly and legal analyses, the conversation unpacks the stark difference between small landlords and corporate entities, the importance of tenant organizing and advocacy, and some of the ways law students can get involved in this vital work.

Tune in to learn why housing is a human right—and how we can fight to make that right a reality.

Guest Bios:

David Hernandez is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025. He is also a graduate of Harvard College. Before law school, David worked with the Robin Hood Foundation’s Early Childhood team

Sofi Scotti is a 2024 graduate of Harvard Law School. In her time at Harvard, she was the Co-Practice Area Head of Housing at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. She is passionate about housing justice in her hometown of Miami and beyond.

Steven Rome is a member of the Harvard Law School Class of 2025. He studied history and political science at Yale University, graduating in 2020. Before law school, he was a sixth-grade teacher.
For more information and complete show notes, go to the episode's webpage: https://theflaw.org/?post_type=articles&p=4467&preview=true.
Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
[F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.
Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Listen to [F]law School on Your Favorite Platform: