Yes, nothing quite says Father’s Day (June 17th) like drag queens. The 4th Annual Drag-a-Thon at Marlena’s, benefitting the Lions Club, starts at noon and runs until midnight. That’s 12 hours of non-stop drag, folks, and means I can probably perform as many numbers as I can prepare. So I’ve got a lot of rehearsing to do during the next few weeks.
I’m not sure exactly how early I’ll show up and when I’ll be on stage, but if you’re in town, please do drop by.
From an article about the media circus surrounding Stanton’s unsuccessful interview for the Saratoga city manager’s job:
I try to make myself available as much as possible,” she explained. “For most people, a transgender person is not something you see every day. It’s important for them to see that I’m not a freak, I’m not a pervert, I’m not a crossdresser. I’m just me.
I realize what she was probably trying to say — this is who I am, it’s not an act — but dammit, that sort of thing hurts when said by someone who ought to know better, especially in such a high-profile situation.
Had a fun afternoon at Marlena’s, performing in their Mommy Dearest fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. Needless to wire coat hangers were in abundance. I also had the pleasure of meeting Ally and her partner, Traci, who dropped by to see me perform.
Got a chance to debut a new song — “Look at Me” by Gerri Halliwell, formerly Ginger Spice. Take a listen. I had to do some editing to take out the “WTF were they thinking” bridge. I’ve also learned to err on the side of faster-paced and shorter, so I’m discovering many songs can use a little nipping and tucking.
It was also the debut of performing under my stage name: Joy de Vie. Originally it was going to be Joie de Vivre — unfortunately no one seems to be able to pronounce it. It’s maybe not the fiercest name around, but I like the allusion. The interesting thing is that now that I’ve got drag to satisfy my inner diva, Marlena as a name seems a little too flambouyant for “everyday life.” So I’ll probably be shortening it to Lena.
Standard disclaimer: Going out of the house was right for me, it may or may not be right for you. If you’ve got no desire to leave the house, that’s fine, I’m not trying to push you out the door. But for those who’ve been yearning to do so, I just want to let you the world may not be as scary a place as you think.
It’s been nearly two years since I first started going out in public. It’s been quite a journey — from being terrified, yet exhilated, to stepping out in the backyard late on a moonless night, to being regularly out in public, even if I’m not fully out. These days it’s more of a “don’t advertise, don’t deny” situation. That’s to say, I don’t necessarily advertise my crossdressing, but if asked I’m not going to deny it either.
I’ve been extraordinarily fortunate that unlike so many crossdressers, I’ve never felt particularly guilty or shameful about my crossdressings (even if it wasn’t something I was gonna go out and tell people about). And for that I thank my Mom (as well as my late Dad) who raised me to be self-confident even I was the odd man out in a variety of ways.
No I haven’t told her, and I’m not sure I ever will. I think she’d be accepting and at times it painful to compartmentalize myself — for example, I’d love to tell her about performing. But mothers worry, and I don’t want her to worry.
So anyway… Thank you, Mom!
Help pass anti-hate crimes bill
I called my Congresswoman today to voice my support and let her know that hate isn’t a family value. Do call. Today.
From the NCTE:
We are down to the wire on the federal hate crimes bill (H.R.1592).
This Thursday, May 3, the federal hate crime bill is scheduled to be voted on in the U.S. House. We really have a chance to pass this life-saving law this year.
But what we are hearing today is that the radical right has turned their lie machine on force blast and turned out their followers. Members of Congress and their staff are telling us that the people who hate us, who are lying about us, are contacting Congress in greater numbers than we are. That’s not unusual, but it is very dangerous. It is not unusual because that’s what they do: they scare their followers into calling their representatives in Congress. It is very dangerous because it could work this time.
What YOU Can Do
1. Find your member of Congress and call him or her.
2. Sign our petition supporting the hate crimes bill by clicking here.
3. Support the passage of this bill by joining us for NCTE’s annual Lobby Day on May 14-15!
