CATEGORY IS......

 .....UNITED COLORS OF PRIDE REALNESS!

Eileen Promiscuous

Norma Lee Drunk

Ventura Villena

Sasha Velour

Queenie Borghese

Killer Queen

And our Drag King- Dominic Trix

HERSTORY

With Pride Month in full swing and coming to an end soon, I often wonder where we would be without drag queens in the LGBTQ Community, a centuries old art and one that has become a preferred target in the current culture warfare. I'd be remiss if I didn't share what queens and performers have put this art form on the map. From a formerly enslaved person, to drag kings, to the political and outspoken to the queens of Drag Race. Here is Part 2 of this post series. Part 1 can be seen here.  Long live the talent, variety and legacy of drag queens everywhere.

Charles Pierce was one of the most famous drag queens and female impersonators of the latter 20th century, having achieved a level of renown and recognition and adored by the general public that only a handful of drag performers ever managed before Divine or RuPaul came along.  Of course he did go on to a legendary career, and the first to make an art of impersonating the famous, including Bette Davis, Swanson, Crawford, Hepburn, Channing and Mae West, which were biting, hilarious and always on point and witty.

 Although, she predated the modern usage of the term "drag" Princess Seraphina is widely regarded as the first English drag queen. The female persona of 18th century Englishman John Cooper, Princess Serphina dared to roam the streets of London when homosexuality was a capital offense. She was reportedly as familiar to her neighbors as she was to the regulars of the underground bars and clubs known as molly houses, which hosted a thriving gay subculture.

It wasn't till out of the army and living in Portland, Oregan in the late 60's, that Walter Willard better known as Darcelle XV, came out and became a drag queen. Always entrepreneurial, Darcelle opened her own showplace, which went on to be the longest running drag show on the west coast, where Darcelle was present for just about every night. Darcelle's Showplace was even added to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in the LGBT history. She was also noted for raising millions for the LGBT and its numerous charities and causes. While Darcelle is no longer with us, she performed well into her early 90's and was crowned the world's longest and oldest working drag performer.

 

Gladys Bentley was a singer, piano player and entertainer who performed in the 1920 and 30's in the era that came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance. Bently was known for her top hat, tailored white suits, and risqué lyrics. During her heyday, she did not conceal her sexuality, but celebrated it, flirting with women in the crowd, and appeared in full male drag in performances. She became one of the best-known Black entertainers of the time, and later moved from Harlem to San Fracisco, where she owned and performed at Mona's 440 Clun, the first lesbian bar in the city.

If Dolly Parton, Lady Bunny and Twiggy had a baby Trixie Mattel would be it. Since winning a season of Drag Race All Stars, Trixie has cemented herself in the drag Hall of Fame. With exception to RuPaul, Trixie is another queen who has gone full throttle in business, in drag, with Pod Casts with fellow queen Katya, co-hosting Queens of the Universe, performing and touring with her music, writing a bestseller, dj-ing, releasing a make-up line and opening a very popular motel, Trixie Motel which has blown up. 

William Dorsey Swann, who was born into slavery, went on to make history as the first self-identified drag queen and the first American activist to lead a queer resistance group. Swann was charged for running a brothel, but what he was actually running at the time were drag balls. Swann had been arrested for female impersonation many times, and would get quickly convicted and sentenced, once for 10 months. Swann requested a pardon from President Grover Cleveland, and , while the request was denied, it was reportedly the first time an American used legal and political action to fight for the right of LGBT people to gather.

Storme DeLarverie was present and part of the Stonewall uprising, and was considered a protector of New York's LGBTQ community, working security and watching over Greenwich Village's gay bars and streets, right up till her death in 2014. In the 1950s Storme presided over the legendary Jewel Bow Revue- the era's only racially integrated drag troupe, as the mistress of ceremonies and the lone male impersonator. Her disregard for gender norms and lifelong activism also inspired many a documentaries

Dame Edna Everage, the drag persona of the late Australian comedian Barry Humphries, was best known for her lilac bouffant and bedazzled cart eyeglasses, her love of gladiolas, and of course her signature loud voice. The bawdy, bourgeois housewife came to prominence in the late 1960s UK and went on to become a regular fixture on stages and tv for decades later to come. Dame Edna also went on the become the longest running character for one person to do in an act.

Even though Dorien Corey's mummy showed up years later, and I mean a literal mummy, that had been found in her closet, after her death from AIDS, was found, an abusive lover, she shot and killed and kept hidden for 25 years in a box in her closet...she still gets a place in drag history. Dorien was one of the great Harlem Ball Queens and the Mother of the House of Corey and was famous for taking in strays and homeless and giving them roofs over their heads and placing them in the various "houses.". Dorian's ballroom talent and reputation earned her spots in the Queen and Paris is Burning, she was ball room.

Brazilian drag queen Pabllo Vittar did not become famous by accident. After posting dozens of videos on You Tube and singing at clubs and bars for several years, and not getting noticed, she got her break when she sung Whitney's Houston's I Have Nothing, and it went viral, after singing it on local television, hitting the high notes with apparent ease. Since then, she has collaborated with Fergie, Diplo and Charlie XCX, and in 2018, she became the first drag queen to be nominated for a Latin Grammy ( or any Grammy for that matter). She boasts more the 15 million followers on Instagram, more than any other drag queen, including RuPaul. She shows no sign of stopping.

Happy Gay Pride🏳‍🌈

HERSTORY

With Pride Month here, I often wonder where we would be without drag queens in the community.  Now that the centuries old art of drag has become a preferred target in the current culture warfare, I'd be remiss if I didn't share what queens and performers have put this art form on the map. From a formerly enslaved person who donned drag in the late 1800's to the queens of Drag Race, this art, typically characterized by gender impersonation and exaggerated forms of gender expression, and over the top fabulousness. Has a long and lasting legacy. While drag is not new what is new is the tidal wave of state legislation seeking to restrict where and in front of whom drag shows can be performed. Now over 16 states have introduced such measures. Screw them! Without further ado, here is part one of some of the queens who have added and put drag on the map.

Madam Pattirini, the drag alter ego of Brigham Morris Young, was one of 57 children of Brigham Young, the founder of Salt Lake City, Utah, and the second president of the Church of JC of Latter-day Saints. It was noted that Morris Young performed in drag as Madam Pattirini, an Italian prima donna, at the birthday celebration of the church's then president, Lorenzo Snow. Morris Young showed himself to be a "prime entertainer" and had been praised for his good falsetto voice and the ability to sustain a female character. 

Julian Eltinge was the Queen of Drag Queens in his day, and his fame as a female impersonator "rivaled that of superstar RuPaul's status today. He reportedly started performing drag at saloons as a teenager before finding his way to the vaudeville circuit, Broadway and eventually, Hollywood. In 1912 The Eltinge Theater on New York's iconic 42nd Street was named in his honor, and during this time he was said to be one of the highest paid actors in America. His performances were known for his convincing portrayals of women, and he would remove his wig at the end of his routine, shocking the audience with the reveal.

Danny La Rue was an Irish born entertainer known for drag performances that incorporated over the top glamorous costumes and wigs. He spent lavishly to outfit his characters and has been described as "the grande dame of drag." His on-stage characters were his own, and he did parodies of historical and celebrities alike. La Rue went on to be one of Britain's highest paid entertainers in his heyday and he performed for Queen Elizabeth II , who in 2002 made him an Officer of the Order fo the British Empire, for his AIDS charity work.

Gowongo MoHawk, born in the western New York village of Gowanda, was one of the first Native American actors to perform on the American stage and the first

 known Native American male impersonator.

Marsha P Johnson who would cheekily tell people the p stood for "Pay it no mind" was an outspoken transgender rights activist is reported to be one of the central figures of the historical Stonewall uprising of 1969.Along with friend and fellow trans activist Sylvia Riveria, Johnson helped form Street Transvestite Action Revolution, STAR, a radical political organization that provided housing and other forms of support to homeless and gay youth and sex workers in the city. She was also a huge AIDS activist and performed with eh drag troupe Hot Peaches. Marsha was sadly found dead, floating in the river...and to this day the culprits never found, and an investigation of any kind was a joke.

Arguably the most famous queen of the modern era, RuPaul will go down in herstory for selling drag to the masses-and making a pretty penny in the process. Never mind the fracking! There's almost no sector of the entertainment world that the statuesque queen hasn't touched: She has penned three books, appeared in over 50 movies, pressed 15 studio albums, and started a world franchise of RuPauls Drag Race....not to mention is the most Emmy-winning Black entertainer in history.

Long before the queens of Drag Race embraced wig reveals, a high wire performer from a small town in Texas made a career of removing his wig of curls. Barbette found fame in the 1920's and 30's performing darling, elegant and stunning acrobatic shows in full drag regalia at world famous venues like Moulin Rouge. She ended these acts with a signature move, removing her blond wig to reveal a man. This flair for the dramatic and her elegance and huge ensembles in the air attracted the attention of Europe's elite, among them, Manray, Coco Chanel and Jean Cocteau. If you ever get the chance read the book of Barbette's life.... I highly recommend it.

Vesta Tilley was one of the highest paid performers in the British music halls during the Victorian and Edwardian eras and is "indisputably the most famous male impersonator of all time perhaps. Tilley, whose first appearance as a boy was when she was just 5 years old, would go on to impersonate soldiers, sailors, policemen, judges and clergy among many others and highly visible male personalities of the day.

This cow! Lady Bunny got her start go-go dancing with her friend RuPaul while living in Atlanta in the early 80's, before moving to NYC, and Bunny spent much of this period in the city's nightclubs, a place where other "club kids" were experimenting with outrageousness, gender, art and fashion. Unlike RuPaul, Lady Bunny decided to stay local, accessible, far more political and a activist for many issues, outspoken, and remains very community minded. In 1984 Lady Bunny organized the first Wigstock, an annual drag queen festival that went on for more than 25 years. With a wide range of tricks in her bag, Lady Bunny in now considered one of the most legendary drag queens working today.

Jinkx Monsoon is now considered a Broadway actress, singer and then a self - proclaimed tolerated drag superstar, writer, comic and an award-winning podcast host, a two time Drag Race winner and a practicing witch wrapped in an orange wig. She could possibly surpass RuPaul herself in invading all forms of art, as Jinkx has appeared on Broadway, and will be reprise her role of Mama Morton once again. She recently ended her run in Little Shops of Horrors and is currently starring in the new incarnation of Doctor Who. Dancing, comedy, Film, tv, Broadway, and singing with that voice. She just might be the first drag queen who could be a part of the EGOT club!!!

Perhaps no other drag queen in history has had such an impact on mainstream culture while existing in drag resolutely on its fringes, Divine. A lifelong friend and collaborator of fellow Balitmore native John Waters. Divine helped define the trash film genre, and had touched all form of media...acting, singing, writing and immortalized in art over and over again. She definitely defined the odd, bizarre drag style. And can we have Christmas without Divine and those infamous Cha Cha Heels?

For decades, drag king Murray Hill has been an essential figure in New York's late nigth cabaret scene, hosting shows at legendary Manhattan venues like Joe's Pub. But he New England native, who describes himself as a "Jackie Gleason-Borsocht Belt comic from Brooklyn" didn't become a household name until the last few years, when he began making regular cameos on queer projects. Murray is credited for pushing the needle for trans masculine men representation, and lesbians in the drag world with humor and style. His shows are complete HILARITY.

When Crystal LaBeija, "don't call me darling, DARLING" a black drag queen and trans woman, was announced as the third runner up in a National Beauty Pageant, she was having none of it kids. Before the winner was even announced, LaBeija stormed off the stage to protest against the competition, which she said favored white drag queens and beauty standards. Watch The Queen if you haven't seen it. Highly entertaining and a gay must henny. Frustrated by the apparent racism in the drag culture, LaBeija founded her own drag event...exclusively for Black queens in 1972...leading the house and leading other black and Latina queens to do the same, and alas...ball culture had arrived girls.

Happy Pride🏳‍🌈

GAY PRIDE-GLADYS BENTLEY

 Gladys Bentley, one of the original and iconic gender bending performers and singer of the early 1900's. It's important to note that although Bentley was billed as a "male impersonator" in the 1920's, there's every possibility that she would have identified as trans or non-binary had those terms existed at the time. But since they didn't she chose the term male most times. Bentley's early life was spent in Philadelphia before settling in NYC where she added to her already packed repertoire as entertainer and pianist, during the Harlem Renaissance. Her career skyrocket, one of the few drag kings to do so, with her appearances at Harry Hanberry's Clam House, as not only a female and black performer, but a open lesbian, performing as a male.  Talk about shattering may barriers! How's that for brave and ballsy? She often headlined in the early 30's at Harlem's Ubangi Club and at the legendary Jewel Box Revue where she was often backed up by the infamous chorus line of drag queens at each venue. She always dressed in men's clothes played piano and sang her own material , often raunchy lyrics to popular tunes of the day, in a deep, growling voice while flirting with women in the audience. Bentley was among one of the first to live open and publicly  as a open lesbian. What a role model she would become.

GAY PRIDE-DRAG KINGS

 It seems the drag queens always get the crowning glory of media coverage and shows of their own. I'm only surprised that much more of the LGBTQ doesn't embrace the Drag King more. I mean, when was the last time you heard someone say, "Oh, we're going to a drag king show tonight."? I also don't personally know many people who could name drag kings like they could drag queens, with exception to Landon Cider and the fabulous and incomparable, mister showbiz himself, Murray Hill. So, this is my list of drag kings to know and start with, and the ones I feel are challenging gender perspectives. And shows of hilarity.

Adam All

Adam All leans heavily on the "geek chic" influences. A sharp suit in pink or a bowtie in lime green with Ray Ban style glasses to match. The accessories as well as sequins and glitter are essential. Adam can charm and alarm with equal appeal, l but is not the sharpest tool in the box. Adam spent his former life working as a decorator and carpenter on male dominated building sites and his character is developed from observation and combined with his own thoughts on masculinity. Adam likes to perform, even when inappropriate, one can tell he likes to explore gender dynamics. Kingspirations  for Adam are Vesta Tilly, Storme De Larverie and Landon Cider.

Chiyo Gomes

Chiyo is transgender identifying as non-binary, but falling under the trans umbrella and identifies heavily with the acronym QTPOC. He uses the scene to blur gender lines and as a coping mechanism for gender dysphoria. Chiyo is punk trash and doesn't care about looking pretty boy or well groomed. He doesn't care about being controversial. He can strut on stage in nothing but boxers henny, 9-inch platform boots and a tee or BDSM gear and look out kids.

Sammy Silver

Sammy identifies as a trans non-binary bear cub. He can flirt in between being non-binary and being a trans man. Gender is fluid and his gender identity he feels is constantly changing everyday. And Sammy's style? He is a stocky, furry bear cub. He'll rock a snapback, floral shirt, jeans and silver shoes. Or sometimes a top hat, a smart jacket and spats. Sammy is sassy, sexy and surreal. He loves dancing and throwing himself all over a stage. If he doesn't leave the stage in a heaping pile of sweat, he feels he hasn't done his job properly. He is a mixed bag. He is a Vlogger, has a You Tube full of sketches, comic rants, and just a few of his own original silly songs.

Romeo de la Cruz

Romeo never felt his gender since birth, and has shifted between gender identities. So non-binary and gender-fluid work best  for him. As a performer he says that you notice when you are the only one in a venue as you prepare for your act to "fit in". While drag has always been inclusive from the days of Gladys Bentley, Romeo says he's honored by the support love and motivation from the community. Romeo is a style blender for sure. He moves from smart and suited to typical gaming nerd to BDSM master. Different looks, but no matter what, he's always trying to get the kit off. If he can't strip out of it, it isn't worth it. I know just how he feels!!!! And Romeo is and always will be a danceoholic. Think Magic Mike meets Paris is Burning. Romeo wants to bring vogue ballroom into the king world, but intensify the sexual appeal across all genders and sexualities. His tag line- Love yourself for who you are rather than what others wish to see.

Lets remember, that the drag world is much bigger then just the glamazons of the drag queen world. Why not switch things up this Pride and go to see a Drag King Show if you can, at a lesbian bar. I have had some of my best nights hanging with the goils!!!!

CATEGORY IS....

 .....It's a King's World REALNESS

With the likes of style and debonair fabulousness of Murray Hill, Wang Newton, Spikey Van Dykey, Adam All,  Mo.B.Dick,  Luc Ami, Izzy, Aman, Louis Cyfer, Landn Cider,  Tenderoni,  Vigor Mortis, Andro Gin, K.James, Vico Ortiz and Hugo Grrl.

ROCCO

This queen is not of your typical drag style, and I'm here for that! Meet Rocco Dix, who says he is an Inhabitant of the planet Queer. Rocco is from Mexico City, where he is a make-up and hair stylist, a drag artist, a seductor, and has also been a stylist for many of Mexico's celebrities. When Rocco decided to enter the drag arena, instead of going full on camp or high fish drama, he chose to go the route more of drag king, even though he is male, and a damn fine specimen too I might add. His style and routines are very burlesque in nature, enjoying and showing a more risqué performance, and revealing ample amounts of skin. His shows borderline, S&M, and leather-ish, while incorporating burlesque dance and lip-synch. I think it's great that we have another performer taking drag out of its usual box and taking it in a different direction. We have straight women doing drag, straight males entering the world of drag, we have lesbians as drag kings, why not have a gay man performing as a drag king??? The execution of make-up is flawless. I love his color use and style of contours. I love the feminine look of it while penciling in a mustache. Not to mention the fem side matched against a chiseled body. Something very arousing about that. Or am I just a pig? If I ever make it to Mexico, sign me up to catch a show.

CHOSEN FAMILY

Drag queen, queer, trans, drag king...if any of these terms interest you, you'll want to see the documentary A Night at Switch N Play, that flows and examines the Brooklyn based drag and burlesque collective, who seem to be a bunch of loving and lively misfits who have found each other and have created one of the best acts outside Manhattan. I have seen them several times, and there shows are not to be miss. From the hottest milk man routine you'll see from drag king K James, or a giant stripping Twinkie from Divina GranSparkle, to a terrifying fetish dentist in rubber gloves, spitting loose teeth into the audience by Nyx Nocturne. The performances range  from laugh out loud funny to characters worthy of a horror movie, but even the edgiest personas have a message.

K James

Miss Malice

Switch and Play and it's array of performers has won the title of Best Burlesque Show four years running...and the documentary  makes clear that the artist are interested in moving forward with both drag and burlesque, subverting many of the assumptions one might have about both genres. In addition, they stress the feeling that everyone in the room- performers and audience, are in a safe place where they can do some exploring, subverting and defying the rules of social acceptability, while being seriously entertained...Burlesque can be sexy, sad, hilarious, grotesque, and tender.

Divina GranSparkle

Nyx Nocturne

Vigor Mortis

Pearl Harbor. 

Yes!!!!! I need my smelling salts!!!! CROCS!

Zoe Ziegfeld

But the best part of this group for me is their diverse group of acceptance, and the crossing the spectrum of the LGBTQ...the kinship is on full display in the docu, which tells each members story,  and features footage of their subversive and captivating acts. Like I said, drag king K James could take his sexy milkman striptease on the road and singlehandedly save the dairy industry. Or the high glam and retro, bio queen Miss Malice...who is the femmecee of their shows. Divina Gran Sparkle grew up Muslim, moved around a lot in her youth, living in four different countries and seven cities before she was 18. Once in NYC, it took six years of gigs for her to find a place to call home and a place that would accept her outlandish acts of a woman doing a drag. That home was the old timey honky- tonk bar in Prospect Heights where she first performed with the drag collective in 2015. 

Miss Malice with Sasha Velour

The troupe is rounded out by Drag King, K James. Miss Malice, the groups bio queen femmecee, drag/bulesque "queerdo" Nyx Nocturne, drag artist, Pearl Harbor, nonbinary drag king Vigor Mortis, and the snake charmer-stage kitten Zoe Ziegfeld, and sometime rounding out the group are performances with the legendary Sasha Velour and Louisiana Purchase. While it might be the common goal of producing the most outrageous show in the city, it's their lewd, unhinged theatrics that have led them to real life epiphanies.

Their bonds transcend the work. Watching the film you get the sense that their self assurance and audacity were hard won- that after so much time peering in from the outside of the LGBTQ community looking in, where acceptance wasn't always easy. but now they are all accepting and they're now thriving on the inside. It's like they've finally found all their people from their spaceship. Makes me wonder why this group can make it work, yet as a community we can't accept all? Long live Switch N" Play

And their show from 2020- Vamp. I am obsessed with Miss Malice, always have been, but her performance of Dream a Little Dream of Me got me.