Masters of Drag

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In this digital series, New York's sweetest drag diva Peppermint tells the story of pioneering American drag artists. In the process, she demonstrates how drag is a performance art form that has thrived in this country for generations, entertaining LGBTQ+ and general audiences alike, and providing the former with an important outlet of self-expression.

American Masters

William Dorsey Swann: The first "Queen of Drag"

Born into slavery, Swann was the first known person to identify as a “Queen of Drag.”

Special: 4:39

American Masters

Crystal Labeija: The Queen Who Reinvented Ball Culture

Crystal was a proud Black trans woman, a drag mother and, a pageant girl.

Special: 5:38

American Masters

Jean Malin: Queen of the Pansies

Jean Malin was one of the first openly gay performers in the Prohibition era.

Special: 5:57

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.