Club Kids burst onto New York and London's night-life circuit in the very late 1980's, creating a hedonistic community for the gay, transgender and disenfranchised to be authentically celebrated. It was one reason when I started clubbing, to go New York City, where in clubs there, no one seemed to mind club kids, drag queens and fems...but outside of New York, even in clubs, the gays just didn't get the club kids or drag queens, because it was all about being butch and masculine. These club kids might not have been household names, hell, even most of the LGBT probably didn't know many with exception to maybe James St James, Richie Rich, Amanada Lepore, Susanne Bartsch, Leigh Bowery and "claimed "founder Ernie Glam, who all fueled a pioneering party scene. I was always thrilled and happy when I'd go out in Harrisburg and our very own Miss Bill was a full-fledged Club Kid. Miss Bill would come out on occasion, but he was right in there thick with the legendary New York Club kids , who attended extravaganza parties, mixed with eccentricity and downtown New York chic, brought out the best club freaks, united by art, love, sex and drugs and drag. But it was Miss Bill, who you may also recognize as a reader here, Fatsissy, showed me there was more to clubbing than dressing up in drag drinking and popping pills...it was also a group of the LGBTQ, who came together to form a genuine community to express their artistic flair in a way that was purposefully alienated from the mainstream. I have always adored Miss Bill, so full of life, extremely passionate about LGBTQ rights and a lover of being and loyal activist. He takes no prisoners. I've never met to date someone who is always "on"...there is no off switch, a great sense of humor, if not wicked, can read a bitch for filth, being a hair stylist can werk a wig henny...did many of mine...and she will educate a queen if she doesn't know their gay history. Miss Bill reinvented the do-it-yourself spirit of punk rock and incorporated sci-fi and the circus at times to create a new and exciting style and scene. He will wear anything when not in club attire.... the club kid shines through 24/7 really. And he is fond of a good fun hat. While my good sister David Dust showed me the jock and pretty boy scene, it was Miss Bill who showed me the camp and club kid side of the nightlife. A few dozen times found me at parties in the city with him at a few Suszanne Bartch parties and having met a few of the Club Kids, and the fabulous Lady Kier Kirby. But I really love his gives no fucks attitude to what people think of what he wears, or how flamboyant he acts. His throwing himself on the floor and then rolling across the dance floor was one memorable night once for the Harrisburg crowd and I was there for it!!! Once I moved back, he of course finally moved to Philadelphia where he is already adding to the scene. Always stay fabulous hennnnny.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
MISS BILL
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
LAKE COMO
While on vacation we took a day to explore Lake Como, or as I called it, the Newport RI of Italy. Lake Como it seems, draws every A-lister at some point to its summer villas. So, what could possibly be so great about the particular lake? I've always been a lake person and love the ocean. But I wasn't expecting this much beauty...I thought we'd seen it all being in Portofino, but it only got better. Imagine the landscape of the Swizz Alps, the villas and architecture of the Amalfi Coast, plus the food and hospitality that's so iconic to Italy. Rugged mountains meet a clear glacier lake that's more than a thousand feet deep with colorful villages peppering its coastline. Lake Como is just difficult enough to get to also. Though it's maintained it's quiet and charm.