By MONICA BUTERA
Jan Stepan's love for drag began in year 12 theatre studies. Not only did it feel right to dress as a woman, he clearly had a talent for it. Although members of his family remain uncomfortable with it, Jan says it's an art form, and it's one he has no intention of giving up.
1 – Jan Stepan decided in year 12 theatre studies that the only available monologue he could relate to was a female one. He completely immersed himself in the female character and it scored him the highest mark in his year. Now 22, he sees it as the beginning of his love of drag.
2 - Jan loved the idea of creating and painting on a new persona that he could not achieve as a male, leading him to take on the drag character of Rose Aww Petal.
3 – "Drag is an art, it’s the same as paintings – no one can define art, so therefore no one can define drag."
4 - The extravagant personality of Rose was revealed to his mother and brother by an impromptu show at home, allowing for no misunderstandings that she would be making regular appearances in the future.
5 – A mutual agreement between the family has been made to spare the knowledge of Rose from Jan’s father. Although they share a close relationship, certain details are sometimes just too hard to understand.
6 – Society is becoming more accepting of drag, but there is still a long way to go in Jan’s opinion. Certain things have aided this growth, such as the TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Austrian pop singer and drag queen Conchita Wurst winning Eurovision in 2014.
7 – "I believe society doesn’t understand the idea of drag. Some see it as a perverted way of life or a sexual fetish, but really drag is an art form that has been around for many centuries and portrayed by many famous actors in movies and on stage."
8 – Some people in the scene believe in drag as entertainment, and without performing in shows, it is not truly drag. However, attending clubs and social events places Rose in the spotlight, making her presence a show on its own.
9 - "I feel like I put on a mask of character that is everything I want to be and can’t be as a male, and she is queen."
10 – Despite endless support and respect from his mother, she has made it clear that she does not approve of Jan pursuing drag as a full-time career.
