Once upon a time, I was a gay boy with a wig and a dream of performing Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” at the The Vanderbilt Lambda Association Drag Show. Our host that year was Alabama’s Genesis (left), who graciously sacrificed her “Paparazzi/Poker Face” mix to let a boy in a busted Hustler Hollywood bob, wayfarers, lipstick AND NO OTHER MAKEUP dance to the “Poker Face” live performance choreography he had been mastering all summer.
Seeing Genesis place 3rd Runner-up at EOY this weekend reminded me some queens spend ten, fifteen years chasing their dreams and, in the process, become role models for baby queens like me. I’ve never forgotten the kindness Genesis did for me, even though it was a split-second decision for her and she’s probably forgotten.
Congratulations to you and to all of the other contestants, including my fellow Hoosier, Alana Steele, and to the new Miss EOY, Sunny Dee-Lite!
Bendovah Plenti 