Drag Queens in the Desert
Hitting the road can be an exciting journey of possibilities. By venturing far from home into the wide open world, travelers may encounter things they had or had not been expecting. By traveling the road through the eyes of drag queens and transsexuals, the original male character is transformed into a new feminine and gay role. Along this journey, Bernadette, Tick, and Felicia are faced with opportunities and challenges.
The road that these three are taking will eventually lead them to a resort in the Austrailian landscape. They will be able to perform their song and dance routines which they all love to do. During their journey, they come face-to-face with straw men. However, these problems do not set them back. They only strenghten the characters bonds with eachother and allow them to grow as individuals. Without these conflicts, 'the road' would not have been as rewarding.
In the beginning of the film, Priscilla (the bus) is vandilized. They become sad, but only momentarilly. They realize that their journey has only begun and they improvise by painting over it in a purple color!
Bernadette is faced with the struggle of grieving on the road. Her lover had passed away and she finds a new lvoe in Bob (an originally straight man). Bernadette is very strong and supportive when times get rough. She often comes to the rescue for the others. When Felicia is being assaulted in the alley by many angry straight men, Bernadette puts them in their place. This is an example of gay power and identity at the extreme. Also, when Bernadette outdrinks the local champion at the bar, she and the others are then accepted into the group. Often times these three have to prove that their gay and transsexual identities should be accepted.
Finally, at the end of the film, Tick is reunited with his birth son. He fears to reveal his true identity to him because he wants his son to love him. However, when he finds out his son already knows that he is a drag queen, he is very happy. The two of them can enjoy one another while Tick still can be his true self.
While challenges did arise, the three characters of Priscilla rose above the racism and sexism finding their true selves and living above the criticism of drag queens and transsexuals.