HX Awards 2008

The HX Awards, honoring the best of NYC Queer nightlife, were held at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas on Monday, June 21. I was honored to be a part of the ceremonies by being an award presenter for the Best TV show. I presented the award with Erotica Czar Michael Lucas. We were announced as a Drag Goddess and a Porn Star/Producer and when we entered on stage together Mr. Lucas jokingly asked how the audience would know who was the Queen and who was the Porn Stud! The winner for Best TV show was Project Runway and it would of been embarrassing since we were never given the award to bring on stage with us, however, no one from Runway was there to accept the award so it was no big deal. It evening went wonderfully and everyone-who's-anyone in Queer nightlife and entertainment was present. I had a marvelous time catching up with all my friends in the "biz" and seeing who was wearing what and who was drinking the most. There was a luscious open Absolute vodka bar that went dry!! The hosts were Julie Goldman and Stephen Guarino and others in the awards show include: Sylvia Touson, Dainiel Naricio, Hedda Lettuce, Jesse Volt, Michael Musto, Robin Byrd, Randy Jones, Sherry Vine, Epiphany, Trenton Straub, The Ones, Matt Trantner and others.

HX Award Winner for best bar - (tie) Barracuda and Ritz, Best Club - Splash, Best DJ - Junior Vasquz, Go Go boy of the Year - William, Drag Queen of the Year - Peppermint. Congratulations Peppermint!!





































Image on left: HX magazine issue 879 page 27.
Photos in image by Wilson Models.

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O69? Center BINGO

I was the hostess and Bingo number caller again at Center Bingo! A fund-raising and social event that raises funds for The LGBT Community Center of NYC. I call it the most glamorous BINGO game around, now that I am hostessing in my stunning designer gowns! Also adding to the glamor were chic drag BINGO card sellers Church Lady and Vendetta, who also looked stunning! And adding some Testosterone to the mix were my co-host for the evening, hot Brazilian model Torres Bandera who was a huge and hunky sight to behold! He mixed and handled the balls extremely well indeed! Also adding to the mix of characters were the gorgeous go go hunk Tass and the sexy bikini clad GG girl, Cass. Tina Turner impersonator Ron B. also performed a fabulous number. That was more than enough to keep us all in suspense for the calling of infamous O 69!!

Drag Show Video Verite at Lincoln Center

Drag performance in NYC has a rich and eclectic history! A special project called Drag Show Video Verite, which gathers, preserves and screens rare film and video footage that captures the faces and places on the NYC Drag Scene - offering colorful footage form the 1950s to the Present, providing a Who's Who of NYC Drag performers Past and Present. The Drag Show Video Verite was is the Ultimate NYC Drag Show on video and had its premiere screening at the Bruno Walter theater in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on June 19. I am thrilled to be included in the project, being thrust into the historical archives of New York City and its legendary Drag Performers. Footage form my work as a correspondent on Under the Pink Carpet at The Glammy Awards and at Lips restaurant, a drag eatery in Greenwich Village is proudly show in the Drag Show Video Verite. The show is curated and produced by Dr. Joe E. Jeffreys of New York University and Stony Brook University. Footage of Drag Personalities

Adrian, Agnes DeGarron, All-Beef Patty, Lady Bunny, Clover Honey, Dean Johnson, Edie, Flawless Sabrina, Flotillia Debarge, Glenn Marla, Holly Woodlawn, Jayne County, Jacqueline Jonée, Jesse Volt, Joan Jett Blakk, Justin Bond, Linda Simpson, Lypsinka, Mimi Imfurst, Miss Understood, Murray Hill, Rollerina, Rose Wood, Sherry Vine, Sweetie, Sultana, Taylor Mac, Yvonne Lamé, Zondra Fox, and many, many fabulous others was included. We had a fantastic after-party at the legendary Stonewall Inn.

New York City Council Pride!

New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Out Council Member Rosie Mensez and other members of the NYC Council held a special celebration of LGBT Pride in the City Hall Chamber Ballroom on Wednesday, June 18. Special honors were given to Florent Morellet who owns the famous Florent restaurant in the Meat Packing District of the West Village. Tony-nominated actor Malcom Gets was the Master of Ceremonies. The Lavender Light Gospel Choir gave a beautiful, moving musical performance. Others in the presentation included Regina Shaves, Dennis Deleon, Kevin Santos and many more! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of my friends come out to enjoy the evening including Queens District leader Danny Dromm, Executive Director of The LGBT Center Richard Burns, Staten Island Pride/Center director Rosemary Palladino, Joshua David, Mark Schulte, Lovari, Michael Mallon, Dirk McCall, AmberRose Marie, Jon Winkleman, Ron B, Empress Charlene Chiveo and many others.

Manhattan Borough President Pride!

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer had a reception fro LGBT Pride month and I was delighted to be a guest. Special honors were given to former Attorney General Candidate Karen Burstein and Lambda Legal, celebrating its 35th year of Legal Civil Rights activism. Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of Lesbians, Gay men, Bi and Trans people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. There was also a beautiful performance by the Youth Pride Chorus. The event was held at The LGBT Center on Tuesday June 17th.

Brooklyn Pride!

Brooklyn is the original home and birthplace to many great Divas. Barbara Streisand, Ethyl Merman, Mae West and one of the biggest Divas of the all, Harvey Firestein, all hail from Brooklyn. The NYC Borough with the beautiful Gothic-arched bridge and the Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island is also home to a fabulous Gay Pride Festival and night-time Parade which took place on Saturday, June 14th. I was the MC of the Pride Festival, along with sizzling Latina Diva Appolonia Cruz. We were all having a grand time in front of an enthusiastic audience outdoors in Prospect Park, even though the thunder storms and heavy rain interrupted the festivities. Mother Nature wasn't listening to Brooklyn Gal Barbara's first hit, "Don't Rain on My Parade" that day! "If you want a rainbow, you must have some rain" I reminded everyone. Despite the weather, the talent on the covered stage was superb and making an impact on the crowd. The performers included India B, the Latin Dance troupe Rhythm Locura, Drag Kings Ensemble Switch N Play, the NYC Gay Men's Chorus, Dyke rockers Sister Funk, singer/songwriter recording artists Jade Sterling, AmberRose Marie, Ira Levi, Quentin Elias, Inida M., Lovari and others. Luckily before the rainfall, Lovari executed a memorable number with dancer Lana and I joined the act dancing and vogueing while Lovari sang Spanish Guitar. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and other prominent Brooklynites joined in on the Festival and Pride Parade and everyone felt is was so worth getting wet for. Sharp on-the-scene reporter Winnie McCroy wrote a fantastic article for Gay City News and used one of my Quotes: "Brooklyn is known for a thriving, diverse community," Honey said. "And Brooklyn has one of the most beautiful Pride parades, because it's at night. For us drag queens, the heat is so bad that by the end of the parade we're all melted, our wigs are full of sweat, and girls aren't even supposed to sweat!"

Sexahol Review

A new show with Comedy and Music celebrating the joys of sex, alcohol and everything else that feels good was performed as the newest edition of the Sexahol Review took off on Sunday, June 8th, at The Parkside Lounge on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Evan Laurence and David Slone did some Improv Comedy and acted out a mini play of several characters. Schizophrenia can really pay off if you know how to work it!!! :-) Evan also premiered his new Queer hit, "If I had the biggest Thing in the Forest". Kyle Supley performed some music and the hilarious Feminist Icon, Leibya Rogers sang some original folk songs about the joys of Female empowerment and vegan dieting "My Nipples taste like Tofu." I added my camp, comedy and a bit of glamor to the showcase, with my own version of the joys of being a Woman - or a Lady!!

Staten Island Pride!

Under beautifully blue skies, on June 5, LGBT Staten Islanders and their friends from across the region had a Pride parade marching a mile or so from the Ferry Terminal at St. George to the location of their Pride Festival in Tompkinsville. After initial disputes over whether the police department would provide the necessary permits, the Fourth Annual Staten Island Pride Parade proved a success. I was thrilled to be part of the line-up of entertainers of the Staten Island LGBT Pride Festival which followed the parade that took place at the beautiful Cromwell Recreation Center on Pier 6 in Tompkinsville. Other performers included Telling On Trixie, AmberRose Marie, Avon Junkies, Lindsay Drew, Ron B as Tina, and others. Donna Maxon performed a fabulous imitation of The Divine Miss M and invited myself and Latin Drag Diva Appolonia Cruz on stage with her to do a crazy "Gotta Have Friends" number ending with us waving Roses as "Bette" sang The Rose. I also performed with Billboard recording artist Lovari, voguing and dancing to his flawless vocal rendition of Spanish Guitar. Lovari also drove the crowd wild when he performed his original hits with backup dancers Lana and Andrew. Staten Island is a beautiful and Proud borough of NYC and getting there on the Ferry is fabulous way to travel.