This document discusses the concepts of "reading" and "throwing shade" within drag culture. "Reading" refers to insulting others by critiquing their physical appearance and perceived gender performance. "Throwing shade" is a more subtle form that requires nuanced interpretation. Both serve to reinforce group norms and boundaries while also building community through playful humor and competition. The document analyzes how drag terminology and the rhetoric of reading/shade can confirm gender stereotypes while simultaneously challenging heteronormative discourses from within the subculture.