EMBRACE ALL

With Pride month closing in today, it has been a different experience from others. Having talked to many different members of the LGBTQ lately, and hearing views and thoughts, I know more then ever we have to move out of our little clicks and broaden our circles and embrace all. When the Banana Republic queens look down on the freaky clubs kids, or the fem guys,  or the jock queens name call the trans walking in, or a married couple looks down on a slutty singleton, or the couple who is trupled, we have problems.

When the community was developing in the 60's and 70's, we were just glad to have a community. We weren't trying to bash other member of the community. But then and now our trans brothers and sisters were, and still, are not treated well by the more bougie gay men, who kind of took the movement and ran with it, who in reality was started by the trans and drag members. Look, were a tiny community...maybe 10 -12 percent...there's a lot of people that don't like us. I really wish we could stick together. Some days, I feel were at each others throats with the pronouns and this and that, this one is to fem, this one is too freaky, this one is to butch.  It makes me think when I heard of AIDS from older friends of mine... and the tragedy that happened,  and the lives it took from just having a act of sexual expression. but the tragedy brought us together. Even though the lesbians, who weren't as susceptible of catching HIV, stuck right there with us. Yet, I sadly know gay men who won't hang with a lesbian, which I find incredibly sad and mentally limited. I hate to say this, but is there a need for some tragedy to bring us back together? Because sadly we are not together.  I sadly don't see much of a gay movement these days. Yeah there is the HRC but they have been known to endorse many Republicans and seem more like a business. I feel us gays have gotten really, really comfortable, we're rightly scared of a Republican regime, and lets be honest, we fell asleep in the Obama years. If we don't keep making demands we won't get anything. Yes, we got gay marriage, but now that we got that goal,  we need to work on equal rights for us all.  In half the states many of us can be fired for being LGBTQ,  denied housing for being LGBTQ... denied medical attention for being LGBTQ...and now trans can be banned from taking part in sports, and told what bathroom they need to use. Where's the demands? I just don't see the demands, I don't hear people demanding these things loudly. I see the gays running around being politically involved, with #this and # that.  Well I'm sorry,  that is not a legislative agenda. Were too comfortable. Are the ones leading these groups not worried about getting kicked out of their homes because they have money, or they have big power jobs that pay well? We need to care about the less fortunate of the community, and all of us, which is what the trans and drag queens who started the Stonewall riots were saying. So are we going to be  bougie movement or a bold movement for all the LGBTQ.  I say we need to be very bold. Be loud, Be fierce. Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera got this. This quote from Marsha sums it up. "History isn't something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities. You never completely have your rights, one person, until you ALL have your rights." 

Take it from this freak. Love yourself and embrace others. 

And always be yourself. Don't let anyone take that away or your right to be yourself

Embrace your Gay Pride.

GRANDE DAMES

The first time I saw The Boulet Brothers at one of their events I was in awe. These two towering figures with gorgeous, sinister, often horrific makeup, wearing layers of latex and  sky-high wigs had a firm hold over the crowd, in part due to the tray of shots they were about to pass out, but also most certainly thanks to their general presence

When you see The Boulet Brothers, known as Dracmorda and Swanthula, and who are actually a real life couple of 20 years, not really brothers at all... it’s clear that you’re looking at artiste completely sure of their point of view, who know how to execute their vision to a T. As the show they were hosting, Queen Kong, their weekly event in Downtown Los Angeles went on, act after act of massively talented, alternative performers took to the stage and showed the audience what’s really going on in Los Angeles’ creative scene. In addition to Queen Kong, The Boulet Brothers tour with their event Dragula, which has run in Los Angeles, San Francisco and NYC and Philly, and features a midnight pageant showcasing the best looks of the crowd. Every Boulet Brothers event has included crowd involvement, which as an audience member makes you feel very much included -  like you’re a participant rather than just a spectator. They challenge notions of masculinity and beauty, celebrate individuality and, well, filth and horror. This season the Boulet Brothers even started their own show polar opposite of RuPaul Drag Race. Their show showcased all the oddity and horrific images to drag, where they then crown a super monster of the world. They can be downright creepy, but this is after all their season, and how elegantly creepy they are.

 And for shit and giggles here was the trailer of season three of their version of drag, Dragula and the quite colorful contestants. Meet the Monsters......

Hat tip to the Boulet's for featuring the first ever drag king, Landon Cider, on a drag show!!!! 

GRANDE DAME

We may have our youngest Grande Dame to date here on this blog... with this very stylish, creative. and balls to the wall queen from Staten Island.....Trailblazer, activist, club kid and drag queen.

Desmond Is Amazing" can rock a runway. That's the stage name of Desmond Napoles, who at just 11 years old is a drag superstar and an LGBTQ activist from New York City. His first notable break came in 2014 when he danced alongside B-52's lead singer, Fred Schneider,  in Jinkx Monsoon's music video "The Bacon Shake." In 2015, a video of Desmond voguing in the NYC Pride parade went viral. He now performs regularly at clubs and events like NYC Pride and RuPaul's DragCon, where he was toast of the event. Now Desmond sashays through life with infectious confidence and inspires others with his motto, "be yourself always, no matter what. To any bullies and haters — and there have been many — Desmond says he pays them no mind because "they're not as fierce as you and I." Desmond has been the undisputed and most beloved young star of NYC Pride since 2015 when he danced his way into everyone’s hearts in a rainbow tutu and sparkly gold beret.  Overnight, his story was featured on NewNowNext, Yahoo, Perez Hilton, and Out Magazine. Quickly, he became an internet sensation and was inspiring millions worldwide.

At 10-years old, Desmond is already a notable LGBTQ activist and advocate.  He is an unapologetic and publicly outspoken openly gay youth actively invested in spreading his message of unconditional acceptance, pride, and love. He aspires to be a powerful example for other young people like himself, influence positive change in the LGBTQ community, and be the hope that generations of people before him were denied. In July, he was the awarded the Marsha P. Johnson Don’t be Outraged, Be Outrageous Award  This award honors an individual or group who uses outlandish creativity to shine a light on an issue facing our community. 

Desmond has enjoyed dressing up since he could walk.  At first, he would use anything he could get his hands on, like bed sheets, towels, cardboard, scarves, and even bubble wrap to create dresses and outfits. And of course, he would strut around in his mother’s jewelry and heels!  His family is very supportive of him and allowed him to dress in whatever clothing he preferred to wear. On top of that, especially his mother Karen have been totally supportive of him the whole time and back him 100%., and now even manages him doing drag. I became acquainted him the little queen on Instagram, which is quite amazing. So well spoken and his Staten Island accent cracks me up. The kid won't back down either and is a fine example to be who you are. 

His in words....We seem to be getting a lot of comments from people who by all appearances, are scared of a boy in a dress. YES, THAT'S RIGHT. SCARED. Why so terror-stricken? Does a little boy really threaten your masculinity or womanliness that much? Does an 11 year old really offend your adult lifestyle so immensely that you have to bully them and their family? Doesn't it hurt your self-respect and dignity just a little to put down a child? Are you afraid of this kid with feminine traits will endanger your status as a “man” or "woman", ruin your marriage, alter your values and morals, or personally affect your home life? Why do you have to make excuses for your own insecurity like "political agendas", "sexualizing", "grooming", "child abuse" and "pedophilia"? Why do you think he is contagious like a virus and is going to turn everyone gay? 

Brave with balls.