In the vibrant queer scene of New York City, a new wave of performers is taking the stage, blending humor, transgression, and gender fluidity in a way that challenges traditional norms. This is the world of queer clowningwhere artists like Lollygag and Lottie are using the clown archetype to explore and express their identities in bold, unconventional ways.
Clowning has always been a space for the absurd and the subversive, but in the hands of queer performers, it has become a powerful tool for self-expression and social commentary. From the back rooms of gay bars in Bed Stuy to the carnivalesque spaces of Bushwickthese performers are pushing the boundaries of what clowning can be.
Lollygag: The Birth of a Queer Clown
Lollygag, known off-stage as Milesdiscovered clowning during the pandemic, inspired by the clown makeup looks that took over TikTok. Initially hesitant about “making a mess,” Miles soon embraced the chaos and imperfection that clowning entails. “I’m making a mess all the time now,” they say. “I just had to get over the hump of accepting that.”
Lollygag’s performances are a mix of absurdity and sensuality, often involving props like lollipops and joints. In a memorable performance at a gay bar in Bed StuyLollygag captivated the audience with a bit that started as silly and ended with a surprising twist of sexy vulnerability. This blend of humor and eroticism is a hallmark of queer clowning, where performers play with expectations and norms.
Miles also brings Lollygag to audiences through “ignorant” style tattoos, which they describe as “permanent doodles.” This approach to tattooing mirrors their philosophy of clowning: “Clowning is all about breaking rules, revisiting rules, and also problem solving through dilemmas,” Miles explains. “I think the perspective that I have as a clown also informs everything that I do, and the way I move through the world.”
The Queerness of Clowning
The clown archetype has always had an intrinsic queerness, a fact not lost on performers and audiences alike. Michelle Teapublisher of Dopamine Booksputs it simply: “Clowns are faggy.” This queerness is particularly evident in the way clowns challenge gender normativity.
“Masculinity in our culture is very controlled and self-protective,” Tea explains, “and the mechanisms of clowns are sloppy and open and sort of connective and relational.” For Miles, a trans man, clowning provides a sense of euphoria and confidence. “I feel genuinely euphoric when in clown,” they say. “I feel hot in a way that I don’t experience not in full clown makeup, and which I also don’t experience in traditional drag.”
Queer clowning makes light of gender, not out of disregard for the harms of cisnormativitybut in spite of them. As Tea writes in the introduction to a clown-themed anthology published on May 26“Gender normativity is the clown which does not understand its clownishness.” This idea is central to the queer clowning movement, where performers use humor and absurdity to challenge and subvert traditional gender roles.
Street Clowns: A New Generation
The rise of street clowns is part of a broader movement that embraces the punkish spirit of transgression and rule-breaking. These performers are more likely to be found at casino parties than at children’s birthdays, adapting their art to more unconventional and often profitable outlets.
Lottiea circus performer currently teaching at France’s prestigious Ecole Philippe Gaulier clown schoolstarted her clowning journey as “Silly Lottie” in Boston. She still performs at birthdays but has embraced a more eccentric style, wearing “mismatched eyeshadow, or giant earrings, or a funny hat of pom-poms” instead of the traditional white-face-red-nose combo.
Street clown style prioritizes “funky clothes and bright colors,” often assembled from everyday wardrobe items. Many performers, like Lollygag, DIY their costumes, creating a unique and personal aesthetic. This style resonates with queer individuals who embrace loud hair colors and unconventional piercings, finding in clowning a way to express their identities freely.
Queer clowning is not just about humor; it’s also about vulnerability and connection. As Miles notes, Lollygag heightens “all of the pieces of me that I like and that I’m confident about,” allowing for interactions that might otherwise feel challenging. This vulnerability is a dare to the audience, a challenge to be as open and authentic as the performer.
The clown archetype, with its roots in the commedia dell’arte tradition, has always been a vehicle for the absurd. In the hands of queer performers, it becomes a tool for resistance and self-discovery. Whether through performances at C’Mon EverybodyRubulador 3 Dollar Billthese clowns are redefining what it means to be queer in the 21st century.
