Dante's Cove, Queer Eye, Queer Folk and Politics

On Thursday, May 3 the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club held its annual Pre-Pride reception at Elmo's Restaurant in Chelsea NYC where my dear friend, attorney and social justice activist Michael Colossi was honored along with Michelle Clunie and Thea Gill - the Lesbian couple Melanie and Lindsay on "Queer As Folk" - for their civil rights advocacy. I have a seat on the Board of Governors of the Jim Owles organization, providing a Transgender viewpoint. Congressman Anthony Weiner presented the award to Michael Colossi. Ted Allen, one of the Fab Five from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," was on hand to introduce Gill and Clunie, who after sharing a passionate lip-lock, each spoke of the commitment to activism their roles on "QAF" promoted in their lives, including but not limited to LGBT advocacy. It was wonderful seeing all my friends in Politics, Entertainment and Media again who made certain to attend the event including Out Senator Tom Duane, Senator Marty Connor, and Out Assembly Members Matt Titone, and Mica Kellner. Club President Allen Roskoff jokingly announced that Kellner would only receive half of the club's support since he identifies as Bisexual. Colossi humorously jumped in and said he would receive twice as much support! Thea Gill is currently seen acting as a sexy Lesbian Witch in the Gothic Queer soap TV series Dante's Cove. Also present was the gorgeous Josh Berresford, who played Corey on Dante's Cove until his character was killed off! There was a campaign to have his character come back from the dead, but unfortunately so far it hasn't happened. It does happen in politics, depending on the election!



















photos: Ted Allen, Thea Gill and Clover Honey; Congressman Anthony Weiner; Clover Honey with Josh Bedrresford

HX Horoscope Taurus

I'm thrilled to be featured as "This Week's Taurus" in Horoscope column of this week's HX magazine! HX is the premiere weekly publication and guide for New York's queer entertainment and nightlife! Every week they feature a photo, blurb and a short interview with a Celebrity born under the Zodiac sign that the sun in currently in. You can see me and read the fascinating column on page 74 of HX issue 818 May 11 2007. I was born a springtime May Taurus child. Astrology is a wonderful and useful science that can help guide a hectic love life. Lets face it, we need all the help we can get now-a-days! Taurus is an Earth sign, which explains my earthy sensuality. Taurus is also ruled by Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, which also explains a lot! The column is written by Neil James who states that for Taurus “Lusty mars is in your eight House of Butt Sex until May 10, making you hot and bothered.”

Capital Lobbying with Style!

On Tuesday, May 1st, I went to Albany, the New York State Capital along with over 1,000 New Yorkers from all over the state. We took part in Equality and Justice Day organized by ESPA (Empire State Pride Agenda). We lobbied our Senators and Assembly Members to persuade them to pass a Marriage Equality bill, allowing same-gendered couples to marry, and to pass GENDA, the Gender Espression Don-Discriminatin Act. We also spoke to them about passing the Dignity for all Studendts Act, an anti-bullying law. When we arrived, there was a continental breakfast at registration. I met with Assembly Member Dick Gottfried and Senator Liz Krueger. We are very happy and fortunate that Governor Eliot Spitzer introduced legislation to make Gay marriage legal in New York State. There was a statewide rally on the beautiful Capitol Park facing the Legislative Capitol building where Melissa Sklarz (NY Transgender Rights Organization), Alan Lubin (NY State United Teachers), Barbara Smith (Albany Common Council), Alan Van Capelle (Empire State Pride Agenda) and Openly Gay elected officials Assembly Members Deborah Glick and Danny O'Donnell, and Senator Tom Duane gave speaches. "Turn around, all of you and look at the Capitol. Whose house is it? Our House!" said Senator Duane. We had a lunchone buffet in the Convention Center where I had the opportunity to meet with citizens from all over the State. After lobbying, I went to the Transgender Caucus to meet with other Trans people about our experiances and community.














photos: ESPA President Alan Van Cappelle; ESPA,;At the Capital; NY Blade newspaper editor Tranton Straube.;Trans activists JoAnne Priceavalli and Caprice Bellefleur.

Whores Have More Fun at Avalon

On Saturday April 28 I went to club Avalon to party the night away and to see my friend Houston Bernard, who came in from Boston to give a powerhouse performance of songs from his "Whores Have More Fun" title album. Avalon is that huge and decadent disco and nightclub that is housed in a Gothic building that used to be church. Talk about the Congregation getting down on their knees! Avalon is in the same building that used to be the infamous Limelight. It's since be beautifully remodeled. For decades, Sunday was the gay dance night, but a few weeks ago it started back up with Saturdays as the queer dance night. Gorgeous and slick Hip Hop artist Cazwell hosts, performs and dances in the Striptease Chapel room and I had a great time getting down with the House of Acid there. The chapel was the in place to be with Kim Aviance, rocker Adam Joseph, Acid Betty, Epiphany, Acid Logan, James Coppolla and other sexy guys. There with were young twink go go boys in the Spider room. Houston gave an energetic and virile performance that drove everyone wild!

Photos: Adam Joseph with Clover Honey, Housotn Bernard, Kim Aviance, Logan

Imposters at Unisex Salon and The Ritz

On Thursday, April 25 I went to celebrate the Birthday of Alan Anderson of Team NY and NYC Gay Men's Chorus at the elegant and exclusive The Ritz nightclub on Restaurant Row in Midtown Manhattan. Everyone was there and we enjoyed sipping Cosmopolitans inside the club and out on the cozy deck. The party had a nautical theme, so many guests were dresses as sailors. I love a man in uniform. The evening brought new meaning to the term - All Hands on Deck - you had to be there!

After that soiree, me and Howie headed downtown to the Lower East Side for the weekly Unisex Salon party. It's a fun decadent and artsy party with an inclusive mix of Gay guys, Lesbians and Trannies. Tonight was Impostor night and guests were encouraged to come dressed impersonating a Celebrity. Burlesque Diva extraordinaire, Dirty Martini was there impersonating Dolly Parton. On stage she did the most fantastic act wearing stars and stripes and the scales of justice. When her song was finished, she had only a star pasties on her breasts, a small flag covering her groin and a mouth stuffed with money. She was bawdy, yet brilliant at the same time! Epiphany looked like a young and beautiful Marilyn Monroe. Rajene did a wonderful "Turn Back Time" Cher impersonation that would of drove sailors wild! The Emcee of the show was someone who was impersonating Unisex Salon's producer, James Coppola. I didn't recognize who it was but it turned out to be Acid Betty, mother of the House of Acid! She's shorter without her high heels! But still made a fierce Coppola! James Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, ShortBus) and Sharyn Jackson (editor, Go!NYC Magazine) were amoung the friends we met there!































Photos: Rajene as Cher, Dirty as Dolly, Ephiany as Marilyn, James Cameron Mitchell and James Coppola.

Rollerina - Legendary Queen of Studio 54

On Saturday, April 20th, there was an event that honored New York City's Grand Dame of Drag - Rollerina! In the 1970s and 80s, Rollerina was always spotted roller skating around the streets of Greenwich Village by day and rolling around the dance floors of Studio 54 by night! She wore mod prints, flamboyant hats, crazy eye-glasses, long flowing dresses and often waved a fairy wand! She was one of the City's first celebrity Drag Queens, dating back before Wigstock! Today she no longer roller skates, but she is still going strong! She is a regular at Dance 208, The LGBT Center Dances, the place where her celebration took place. The DJ was Ted Snowdon, who spun classic Disco tunes that were played in the 70s at Studio 54 when Halston, Bianca, Andy and Liza partied the night away. It must have been such a groovy time back then! To pay tribute to Rollerina, I dressed like her. I wore a mod 70s print gown with a matching hat, turquoise necklace and rhinestone cat-eye glasses. Many Other Drag performers also showed up to show their respect and admiration to the legendary Diva and Queen of Studio 54. They included Flotilla DeBarge, Hedda Lettuce, Jacquline Jonee, Brenda Bond, Howie V and more! Film maker Wolfgang Busch, producer of the Drag Documentary How Do I Look? was also there enjoying the party and video taping for more visual footage of Drag Queen culture. Notable Leathermen Bruce-Michael Gelbert (Mr. Fire Island Leather, NY Q News), Sir Angelo Cilia (NYCGMC Butch) and Rob Valan (Leather Night Out) also came to give their birthday wishes! We even had a Rollerina look-alike contest which was won by my dear friend, Fanny Fondue. Fanny looked so much like Rollerina, people said that they were twins separated at birth! Rollerina gave a speech of gratitude about how she moved to NYC from Kentucky and how much fun and freedom of expression there was and is in NYC! She was also presented with a birthday cake, red roses and a new fairy wand! She danced to her favorate song, Abba's Dancing Queen with artist David Alverez, who decorated the hall with original retro art. Disco will NEVER die!



















Photos: Clover Honey with Rollerina; Flotilla DeBarge and Clover Honey; Rob Valan (Leather Night Out)

GOAL - Gay Officers and me!

On April 20, I had the honor of attending the 25th Anniversary Celebration of GOAL (Gay Officers Action League) , an official NYC Police Fraternal organization supporting LGBT Police Officers, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Professionals. The event took place in a ballroom at the swank landmark eatery, Tavern on the Green, nestled in NYC Central Park. GOAL has grown from meeting in secret at undisclosed locations, to a Proud and Out professional unity where they march down Fifth Avenue proudly displaying their uniforms and shields. Awards were given to those who advanced and supported the Community. Recipients included Kurland, Bonica and Associates, a renowned civil rights law practice and Carroll M. Hunter, a former Deputy Director of the NYC Dept. of Corrections and former President of GOAL. I attended as Press with Tony Sawicki for Under the Pink Carpet and had a marvelous time among the many strong and brave men and women who are part of and support the organization. The NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly also attended the gala to pay homage to the establishment. We are grateful to those who uphold the laws and keep our City safe. Since its founding in 1982, the Gay Officers Action League has been at the forefront of advocacy for LGBT law enforcement personnel. GOAL also acts as a bridge between the the law enforcement community and the LGBT community.

I was in the company of NY Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell, future NY Assembly Member Micah Kellner, NYC Council Member Gail Brewer, GOAL President George Farrugia, Esq., Yetta Kuland, Esq., Drew Tagliabue and Phyllis of PFLAG, Queens District Leader Danny Dromm, Detective Patricia Rodrigues, Corrections Officer Jeffrey Nieves, Stonewall Democrats President Matthew Carlin, Gina Bonica, Esq., Michael Colosi, Esq., Eddie Ruiz, Howie V and others.
















Photos: Corrections Officer Jeff Nieves with Clover Honey; Outside the Tavern; NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly with Clover Honey; Detective Patricia Rodrigues, Clover Honey and Yetta Kurland, Esq.; Matt Carlin, Clover Honey and Micah Kellner.

Fresh Fruit Awards - Plucked and Squeezed

On April 16, I had the pleasure of participating in the annual Fresh Fruit Festival Awards, held at The Metropolitan Room. The Fruits of Distinction Awards (or "Fruities" as they are lovingly known) honor outstanding artistic achievements by the festivals participants. I greeted attendees, and warmed the audience up with my welcome and a vocal rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" a la Nicole from Moulin Rouge. I then introduced the MC for the awards, Mr. Murray Hill. I am also on Fresh Fruit's Board of Directors, led by artistic director Carol Polcovar and executive director Jeffrey Leeds. Together we boldly promote a Queer multi-media, diverse festival, providing venues, networking, exposure, and Community that builds talent, knowledge and artistic expression. The festival has welcomed artists form all over the world as well as local performers from the NYC area. The Festival is also the most inclusive expression of LGBT arts ever held in the City of New York, with performers that have backgrounds and identities that include all racial, religious, national, sexual orientations, and gender expressions celebrated on stage and in the audience.

This years special honors call the Passion Fruit Awards went to the Hon. Alan J. Gerson (NY City Council Member) and Transgender Lesbian author & activist Kate Bornstein. Some other Fruites given went to Ted Caine and Delores Kenan for acting, Mike Albo for Comedy, Kathy Valentine and Anne Rebold for Cabaret, David Brown for Original Music, Chocolate Waters for Poetry, Jen/Ed and for Performance, Claudia Alick for directing, and two ultra fabulous Drag Divas fwho reside in Nothern California Landa Lakes and Samantha Richards. They're part of the Brush Arbor Gurlz, a Native Drag ensemble that introduces audiences to Native American culture through humor and provides Native American visibility to the larger LGBT Community. Fruities have also been given to NH (Non-Human performers.) In the past this inculued Rod and Nicky, puppets from the Broadway hit Avenue Q. The tradion continued this year as an award was given to Adam Seymour Duckstien, better known as Queer Duck. The award was accdepted by Xeth Feinberg, the animator and cartoonist who directed and designed the feature lenghth Queer Duck: The Movie. Our NH (non-human) performer and award presenter this evening was the hilarious puppet Grand Duke Lenora Von Elsingberg. I had a wonderful time being part of such a fresh and fruity event at an elegant and sophisitcated cabart like The Metropolitan Room. Friends who attended the event included Bob Montgonery (Homocomicus), Dick McCall (Stonewall Demorates), Civil rights attorneries Yetta Kurland and Gina Bonica, Tre' Xavier (Raging Stallion), Nick Curto and Suellen Rubin of All Out Arts, Veronica Vera of Miss Veria's Finishing School, a Cross-Dressing academy, Performance Artist Cary Curran, the beautiful transgender model and performer Lavern Cox, Rita Petie, Madilyn Madelaine, Howie V and many others.

Photos: Clover Honey with Brush Arbor Gurlz Landa Lakes and Samantha Richards; ONn Stage; With author/activist Kate Bornstein; Ted Caine; Clover Honey, Bob Montgonery, Dirk McCall and Yetta Kurland; Miss Veronica Vera; Xeth Feinberg (Queer Duck cartoonist.)

Philadelphia Freedom at IFGE Conference

On April 12, I arrived at the Philadelphia Airport Hilton Hotel as a guest to attend the annual IFGE (International Foundation for Gender Education) Transgender Conference. IFGE advocates for freedom of Gender Expression and promotes understanding and acceptance of ALL people. The Hotel was beautiful, spacious and I enjoyed the indoor swimming pool. I saw many familiar faces and met some new wonderful and interesting people. I was greeted by my dear friend, Christine James, a Grand Dame of the Transgender movement and one of the founders and organizers of the conference. It was a chance to network, meet new people, learn and have wonderful time. Attending the conference were Miss Veronica Vera, founder and Head Mistress of Miss Vera's Finishing School, a Cross-Dressing Academy. Cross-Dressers were honored with an eloquent speech given by Miqqu Gilbert, who won a Trinity Award. Ms. Gilbert told CDs to claim their rightful place in the Transgender Community. I was very glad to hear her wonderful words spoken, since I was always dismayed by Transsexual Women who were not accepting. Bigotry and hatred are never in fashion and always make a person hideously ugly. I got the chance to see Donna Rose (author of Wrapped in Blue) who also won a Trinity Award and Helen Boyd (author of My Husband Betty and She's Not the Man I Married) along with Betty Crow herself. On Friday, Jade Esteban Estrada performed his fabulous one-person show Icons, where he played Sylvia Rivera, Gertrude Stein and others. Also on Friday evening, me and the some of the girls hit the clubs in town. When we arrived at a Philly night-spot called Tavern on Camac, I sang some songs with John Flynn accompanying on the piano. "Hey Big Spender" went over very well. Since Under the Pink Carpet, the TV show I'm on, is on WYBE, a PBS TV station in Philly, many people recognized me and came over to say Hi and told me how much they enjoy seeing me on TV. On Saturday night I was part of the entertainment line-up we called "Philadelphia Follies" during the conference closing night formal Ball on Saturday. I sang "When You're Good to Mama" and "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" to the fun and supportive crowd of over 900 people.





































Photos: At Tavern on Camac in Philly, On stage at IFGE, With Helen Boyd (author My Husband Betty) and Betty Crow, Rochelle Nicole of CDI (Cross Dressers Internatinal), Lorenzo as "Elvis", Donna Rose (author Wrapped In Blue)

Models and Art Galore!

I soaked in some more art, both visual and performance at the second anniversary celebration of a party called Galore that took place at XES lounge in Chelsea on April 9. The art was a premiere showing of a new exhibit of artistic photographs by Jeff Eason of Wilson Models. Mr. Eason/Wilson Models is also the photographer who took the studio shots of me that I use on my website. Jeff is terrific behind the camera and the works that were exhibited in this new show were amazing! They were black & white nudes of male models with chocolate syrup dripping down their chiseled bodies. I thought about using Chocolate syrup in my next photo shoot, but I concluded that jewelry is a better accessory on models like me. Jeff also takes photographs for HX magazine and Matt Banks, the publisher of HX was at the event. I always love it when I run into those who publish my favorite magazines! The event was hosted by Deryck Todd and DJ Jimmy Beats played the music and videos. There was also some live entertainment provided by Adam Joseph who not only performs, but writes, engineers and arranges all of his music. Plus, he's adorable! The other music performers were Alysha Unpress, Amy Douglas and the group Shimerplanet. Jimmy also sang "I get by with a little help from my Friends" with the rock group. A night mixed with visual art, performance art, drink specials and gorgeous men, of course, made for a wonderful and memorable evening!


















Photos: Clover Honey with Adam Joseph, With Deryck Todd, Matthew Banks (HX Publisher) with Clover Honey and friend, Clover with DJ Jimmy and Madelyn

Some Men - Terrence McNally and Marriage

I was Broadway bound on April 6 as I helped my dear friend Hector Coris, Director of Marketing for Second Stage Theatre, host a special reception after a performance of the new Terrence McNally play that strongly touches on the subject of Gay Marriage, Some Men. McNally's new play was inspiring, touching and funny. It opens at a wedding of two men and looks at same-sex life and love against the background of some of the events that shaped the last century. The hot-button topic of gay marriage is a running theme of Some Men, with the questions that the subject invariably raises. “Some people think this marriage thing is going to be the end of Gay life as it has been practiced on this planet for a hundred million years,” says a character in the opening scene. One of the most touching scenes for me was a moment where a Drag Queen (brilliantly played by actor David Greenspan looking fabulous in a peach ensemble with white gloves and pearls) sang "Over the Rainbow" in a preppy piano bar where she was unwelcome. The scene was not camp, but dramatic as the sounds of the Stonewall Riot were heard just outside.

At the event I met Lucy Arnaz and her husband Laurence Luckinbill. This was the second time I've met Lucy, known for being the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and it's always a thrill to chat with someone so talented and who's been in so many Broadway, television and Cabaret productions. Speaking at the reception was Evan Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters. Wolfson is a nationally renowned attorney and director of Freedom to Marry, who hails the movement for marriage equality as "one of the first important civil rights campaigns of the 21st century." I also met actors from Some Men including Pedro Pascal (Fritz) and Romain Fruge (Carl), Tom Kirdahy, the husband of Terrence McNally and others who are trying so hard to win equality in marriage. By the way, I have a beautiful white gown all ready for when my time to take the big step comes. But I'm in no rush, I'm still having lots of fun being a single girl in New York City.


















Photos: Lucy Arnaz, Poster, Clover Honey with Evan Wolfson (author of Why Marriage Matters and Chair of Marriage Equality), Tom Kirdahy (McNally's Husband) and Howie V., Actors from Some Men - Pedro Pascal (Fritz) and Romain Fruge (Carl)