Another part of the Mistress's early gay years comes to an end. The legendary flapper girl bobbed, redheaded drag queen, and Philadelphia legend, Carlotta Tendant is putting away the Bingo balls and hanging up the heels. A sad day for Philly indeed. Across almost four decades Carlotta has called hundreds of games all while performing tomfoolery, eliciting laughs, along with wise cracks, a pinch of profane and a healthy dose of silliness, all while being donned in anything from retro looks to Chicago musical looks, to Eva Gabor gowns and sensible high heels. In that time and fun Carlotta has managed to raise almost over $5 million for people living with AIDS/HIV, and numerous gay charities, and helped steer a community through crisis, providing a respite to those experiencing immense loss and stigma. This swan song came to the closing of the cities 30th season of Pride month, The man behind Carlotta, Micheal Byrne hung up his heels, packed the wig and bid adieu to his drag persona and his longtime gig hosting Philly's Gay Bingo. Now at 65 arthritis stifles her strut in stilettos and says drag is a young girl's game.
Even as medicine has advanced and HIV/AIDS has become manageable, she's crafted a safe place for years for Philadelphia's queers. For one night each month for over 30 years she's been an entertainer and equalizer, responsible for uniting gay and straight alike. When I first moved to the Philadelphia about the only two queens I can recall were her and Brittany Lynn and have such fond memories of both of them...everyone knows Carlotta! All I can say is thank you Carlotta for all the good you have done for future queens, who have up and came, and coming, and all the tremendous things who have brought about for the community...$5 mil ain't bad for a queen in a bob and calling bingo. It's going to be really different without Carlotta. No one's going to fill her heels, but I think that the vibe and her energy is going to live on.
A short snippet from the news.
Excellent post and ode! I think the city was shocked when she announced she was retiring. We will never forget that queen in the red bob and hairy chest.
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