There are also examples of artifacts relating to drag queens on exhibit in
the uptight US.  The Oakland Museum of California has an extensive collection
of costume, program and photographic material from Jose Sarria who began
performing drag operas in San Francisco at the Black Cat Cafe in the 1950s.
 One of the costumes is on display along with more recent material from gay
rights groups (buttons, t-shirt,  poster).  Jose Sarria is also one of the
featured Californians you can meet though video interviews on touch screen
computers in the gallery.  His story about escaping the Midwest and coming to
California is funny and wonderful and truly captivating.  This is not a story
told in isolation but rather one of the stories told in the context of the
diversity of people who call California home.

It is just possible that the San Francisco Bay Area, the home of the OMC, is
not really part of the US (local conceit would have it so) but I bet there
are more examples out there in other parts of the US as well.

Deborah Cooper
Oakland Museum of California