47: Out & About pt.2: Swann Dive

Maia Warner-Langenbahn
Apr 3, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Apr 21

Drag is art, drag is exciting, drag is… old? This week, Maia explores the history of drag. From drag in Ancient Greece and Rome and male only casts, to more contemporary artist like the work of Julian Eltinge. Maia shares the life of William Dorsey Swann, who was America’s first drag queen, or at least one of them. Taking us to the Drag Balls of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance and the extravagant homes of DC that first held drag gatherings. Swann’s life proves that drag has history in America. Take a swan dive in the life of “William Dorsey Swann”!

Meet the queen who started it all—corset, courage, and all. In this episode, Grant and Maia dive into the incredible true story of William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved man who threw fierce drag balls in 1880s Washington, DC—decades before Stonewall and centuries before RuPaul. Swann didn’t just sashay through history; he kicked down doors, defied police raids, and claimed space for Black queer joy at a time when both his race and gender expression were criminalized. From glitter and grit to protest and pride, this episode uncovers how Swann’s radical legacy echoes through today’s culture wars, including a powerful tribute during the George Floyd protests on the very street that now bears his name. If you love history served with sass, struggle, and seriously good storytelling—this one’s for you.

Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] Catch-Up
[00:22:21] Swann Dive
[00:25:29] Ursula’s Unlikely Inspiration: How the legendary drag queen Divine reshaped drag culture
[00:39:40] Defining Drag: 2 key ingredients that transform simple cross-dressing into drag performance
[00:47:20] Forgotten History Uncovered: Rediscovery of William Dorsey Swann’s groundbreaking legacy
[01:00:00] Queens of Freedom: The origins of DC’s drag balls in Emancipation Day parades
[01:03:30] "Cake Walk": Powerful roots of this dance
[01:22:36] Activism’s Legal Legacy: A courageous petition for a pardon
[01:41:00] Swann Street Redemption: Honoring the defiant spirit of William Dorsey Swann

Photos/Videos Referenced:

*Diving performing in 1983 - courtesy of Fryderyk Gabowicz/DPA via AP*

Ginger Mink - Spotify Artist Picture	Julian Eltinge - Silent Film Superstar
Julian Eltinge - dressed in drag	Frederick and Park Duo; Left photo: Stella (left), Fanny (right); Right photo: pair holding mallets in the back - public domain via Wikimedia commons
1888 Raid reported in the National Republican Newspaper - courtesy of the Library of Congress/Channing Joseph	Reporting on a raid on a drag ball - courtesy of the Library of Congress
	In Ancient Greece, Children Wearing Drag Was a Religious Obligation! - The blog post Maia reads from at the end of the episode

*Ruhal Dubey - courtesy of @kikivonfreaki on X/Twitter*

Quotes:

"The right of assembly is guaranteed in the First Amendment, right alongside freedom of religion, press, and speech." - Grant Thomas
"Your view of the human spirit is so limited if it doesn't allow any of that spirit to explore." - Grant Thomas
“Drag could also be inspired by the petticoats men would wear that would drag on the floor as they performed." - Maia Warner
"Drag is really about a performer's own perspective of their work as well as an audience's understanding of their work." - Maia Warne

Connect with Us

Love a good laugh? Stay in the loop with the Well, I Laughed Podcast! Hit up wellilaughed.com for all the fun, throw some love our way on Patreon at https://patreon.com/WellILaughedPodcast, and send us your wildest listener stories at wellilaughedpod@gmail.com—because let’s be real, we know you’ve got some!