It depicts the experiences of the drag queens organizing and participating in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest held at New York City's Town Hall.

[3] First released in the United States in June 1968 to generally positive reviews, it was subsequently screened in France (November 1968), Netherlands (1969), Denmark (1969), and Finland (1969).

[5][6] Jack, a 24-year-old gay man living in New York and working as a drag queen named Flawless Sabrina, is the mistress of ceremonies for the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest.

One contestant, Pepper LaBeija recounts receiving a draft notice and being turned away because of her feminine appearance, despite requesting to serve and protect his country.

"[2] Andrew Sarris from Village Voice stated "The drag queen contestants are eminently likable in curiously peripheral ways."

[4] The Queen has often been compared to Paris Is Burning, a documentary focusing on the New York City drag ball scene of the 1980s, which includes in its cast members of the House of LaBeija.