Using Drag to deconstruct, express and reclaim my gender identity | Adam All | TEDxLondonSalon

What defines ‘maleness’ in the modern era? Where is the border between maleness and masculinity? And why do we care so much about how others choose to self-identify? London Drag King, Adam All, leads us on an exhilarating and brave journey, offering a humorous but touching insight into the Drag King movement through sharing his own personal story. Adam hopes to charm and alarm with equal appeal, inspiring us to ponder whether we too are brave enough to break beyond the confines of societal gender norms and find our own true personal identity. Adam All has been performing as a Drag King for more than nine years and was recently referred to as the ‘Godfather’ of the modern Drag King scene in the UK and one of the ‘game changers of the London Drag Scene’ in Time Out Magazine. Adam recently featured on This Morning for ITV, BBC Newsbeat, London Live and Sky and ITV News. Adam All is the founder and host of popular Drag King cabaret night BOiBOX alongside his on and offstage partner, Apple Derriéres. Adam performs nationally and is a huge advocate of the emerging, engaging and empowering Drag King scene. He can charm and alarm with equal appeal, bringing live vocals and cartoon realness to his geek-chic cabaret. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@devandarji1301]

me: makes notes on every king they mention so i can go and follow them all

[@dinimaran271]

I perform as a drag King too and started off at Adam and Apple’s drag nights!

[@lin.fraser_]

Wow! Adam, I just wanted to say I cannot thank you enough. You've inspired me so much, and through you I have finally discovered who I am. As a child, (I'm a girl) I've often worn fake moustaches, dressed up in bowties, had a love of dr who and found myself being more comfortable in what were labelled 'boys' clothes. Begging my mum to buy men's shirts. People at school found me strange. Shouts of 'weirdo'. But now, I understand what I want to be. I have so many supportive, amazing crazy friends around me who have supported me through this and I cannot wait to see the day I walk down the street as 'Richard'. I cannot wait til I can wear my crazy top hat, my suit and bowtie and my moustache, without being judged and just being me. Thank you for showing me what was inside me all along. Stay amazing and keep doing you! ❤️

[@ezridx11]

Adaaaaam ♥️ Brilliant talk! You're such an inspiration to Kings all across the world. Keep it up!

[@ActualKit]

Adam is an absolute gem. BOiBOX is at The Glory in Hackney, London on the last Thursday of most months. I've been twice and it is so much fun. If you ever get the chance to go to a show, do.

[@SarahScottLifeCoach]

Great talk, good job Adam!

[@nefelichristogoula316]

We support a king. Hail King Adam All!

[@andrecastillo7749]

Thanks for being an inspiration adam

[@teelesynclair5902]

I'd love to see Adam All. Him and Landon Cider are my 2 favourite kings x

[@JObhihosoho]

Do I love it? Do I love it? Do I love it? Oh Yess I loved every bit of this performance. What a delight!!!

[@zots1879]

The part with the bra had me cackling

[@hannahrosereviews5073]

YAAAS! ADAM!!!

[@imacowagossipandaslapper.2424]

Inspirational and wonderful ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

[@insignickyfant]

whahahah the last performance was hilarious! loved all of this

[@amandadavies939]

You are fantastic my favourite performer x

[@danbass4991]

Absolute legend

[@likeyoulikeuswearestrongen1524]

OHMY GOD!! It's fantastic!

[@aknee3042]

What an entrance!

[@yy-ls5qf]

AMAZING!!!!!

[@BridgetNakuya]

This is so damn beautiful. Damn drag 🥺

[@thegoblinspeaks]

he said my country's name correctly

[@romybeekhuis1370]

You are so cool, I love your beautiful British accent :D

[@queerulantin6431]

YES

[@oregongirl4352]

How fun!!

[@imlxh7126]

good singer, outfits on point...honestly, adam should just start a dang band already

[@oregongirl4352]

The bra jump rope was everything 😂 yes 🙌 this is empowering !!! Shoulda burned them 😝

[@lilascorpion]

So Cool ! Keep it up, this talk was Fire 🔥👌

[@rnkim2564]

unfortunately, I don't get past that it's still just another woman onstage taking her clothes off for voyeurs... I don't know why this is considered so liberating or such a statement

[@helenacorreia7613]

It's a liberation for the person. If you don't do performance you can't understand. It's not seen with the eyes

[@oregongirl4352]

Ooooo I get it ahh bra cadabra!!! Lol 😂 so great!!!! I love this

[@virtualbaker]

Cringe on a new level

Oh my god... thousands of years of evolution, and this is where we are now...

[@RukiaShinigami]

Thousands of years, and this is where we are now...to there still being people like yourself who are dumbfounded by a practice that has existed for thousands of years. :)

[@cjscott5915]

Oh my god...thousands of years of evolution, and this is where we are now...still posting unnecessary comments on the internet that don’t benefit anyone but yourself, and does it even benefit you? You’re making quite a remarkable change in this world i must say.

[@LeanneVlogzFilmz]

Oh my god...thousands of years of evolution, and this is where are now...full of arrogance and fear. Nature isn't perfect.

[@sofarawayvideo]

What? Good entertainment?

[@twinkle402]

... With comments like yours