Penny Tration Going Up for RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 2!

No sooner had I announced that I love DeeRanged and I'm supporting her for the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 2, but fellow blogger and darling local fabulous Penny Tration announces she's going out for the show, too! Click here to check out Penny's profile -- you have to register to vote, but it's worth it, folks! Let's get Penny and DeeRanged on the show!

We can vote multiple times, right?

On How to Do Drag Makeup

From my evil sister in the west, Jordan Van Dyke, a video from all of her performance buds on them doing their makeup:

It took me about 3/4 of the song to realize those were lipstick colors they were listing off. LOL.

I love Hoku Mama.

Speaking of Drag Queens

Let's talk about RuPaul :-). (Thanks to BigLugLand for this one, via Twitter.)

While my positive experience as a gay teenager is not a universal one, by any means, it's one that's becoming more and more common. In the 1970s, the average coming-out age was 21; in 2007, it was closer to 13. Gay teens are coming out earlier to increasingly accepting parents, and the cocoon-to-butterfly narrative that has shaped much of gay culture -- and drag in particular -- is no longer as universal. For many men of my generation, coming out registered on the personal trauma scale somewhere between our first pimple and the pain of our first breakup.

Which is somewhat at odds with the message of the drag queen. A drag queen is sassy, glittery and fabulous -- "a punk rock reaction to our masculine culture," as RuPaul told me, when I spoke to her over the phone. Drag is a way of taking what has often been held against gay men -- our effeminacy, our outspokenness, our passion for ABBA -- and celebrating it with style. Drag queens imitate women like Judy Garland, Dolly Parton and Cher because they overcame insult and hardship on their path to success, and because their narratives mirror the pain that many gay men suffer on their way out of the closet. These women didn't become drag icons because they had a mildly awkward sex talk with their parents.

According to Lady Bunny, the founder of New York's now-defunct Wigstock Festival, drag faded from pop culture at the end of the '90s because "people got used to the idea of the drag queen." Mainstream audiences -- and gay audiences -- simply stopped being shocked by the idea of a man dressed as a woman. "We've had an entire generation grow up seeing drag queens play basketball on daytime talk shows," she says, "and I don't think it's that freeing for gay people anymore."

It also raises a bigger question: Without the trauma of oppression, how will future generations of gay men define themselves? Through promiscuity? Party drugs? A flair for dinner parties? "With more and more teenagers coming out of the closet earlier, and parents being more supportive, the whole dynamic has changed," says Sean Mullens, the director of "Filthy Gorgeous: The Trannyshack Story." "The explosive party scene doesn't really have a place anymore."

I thought this was an excellent and well written piece on the state of gay culture, especially the role of drag queens within it. It's funny because, when I first started doing drag, I remember an older friend of mine saying, "I just don't like it, but I'm from an age where you shouldn't do anything so openly gay." And then, of couse, there's the endless stigma of men my age who won't sleep with a drag queen because now we're obsessed with straight men.

And so it goes, all this gender stuff.

Regardless, I went to a drag show (by myself) last night. After all these years, I posited drunkenly on Twitter, I will say this: a drag show still makes me smile.

So theorize it all you want, I still fucking love them.

Oh, and an interesting little bit praising drag queens when I did a google search, "researching the topic," for "drag and gay culture.

When Drag Queens Attack -- a response

I got an interesting response to this post, and so I'll repost the comment in toto and then attempt to respond as best I know how:

Who these people truly were or why they were so mad is a based on 1/2 of the participants of the fight.

Isn't it possible that the crew of the McDonald's who hurled hateful epaulets at transgender woman?

That wouldn't be a show for you to laugh at would it? unbelievable. Yeas it is slanderous and highly inconsiderate of the "allied" community to laugh at us and hate us. WHO ARE YOU AND DO YOU CARE ABOUT US or are we just a token for you to get readers?

I would feel better if planetransgender's post's did not appear on this blog.You can acomidate that request by removing planetransgender from your blog list.

At their request, I have not linked the blog. But you can back read and figure it out.

I have written and rewritten this post, each time trying to take on a different attitude towards their response. I've written the shocked post, I've written the apologetic post, the angry post, the blah blah blah. Each one was longer and more boring than the one before. Let me, instead, try to condense and go over why I feel each bit:

First, anger (at them): It is absurd and a failing on your part to attack me on my gender street cred. The writer of the above comment states to have read my blog for a while, and to know me somewhat. Honestly, if you do not know my utter support, love, adoration, and respect for trans-identified persons, then you clearly haven't been paying attention. And do not assume that because I do not identify as trans myself does not mean that I have not been the subject of stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination based on my gender expression.

Second, anger (at myself): I was an idiot not to better preface that post. I assumed that people would, naturally, pick up on that the like provocation for the fight was transphobic slurs and nastiness on the part of (clearly) idiotic McDonald's employees. I should have written more and assumed less... for someone as loquacious as I can be, I certainly kept my mouth shut. And I am one for making sure your opinion is known and heard.

Third, apologetic: I'm sorry it was offensive, and perhaps it was not the best of posts in the world. I'm sorry it offended, and I'm sorry I did not do more in terms of deconstructing the news reports. Instead, I just threw it up there without concern for how people would feel about it. And for that, I am deeply sorry.

Fourth, apologetic (addendum): Please note that I am not sorry for posting it.

Fifth, shock: I am amazed that, after everything this community has been through for the last year, and after my giant turnaround on ENDA (from supporting a trans-noninclusive bill to lambasting the HRC for their support of it), that we are still fighting silly fights over non-issues (Rick Warren anyone?). More importantly, that anyone would turn on an ally -- and someone who is, truly, an ally -- for a sheer minor affront. Additionally, that the writer of the comments missed the implication of my words: that I was actually praising these women. Do it, girls, fight back. Don't let homophobic and transphobic assholes get away with it. Now, maybe violence was not the best answer, but they did something. And, for that, they should be applauded.

Sixth, disappointment: Despite the ongoing debate over the word "tranny," I'm disappointed that trans-identified persons have not made the attempt to reclaim the word, much like I have taken on the moniker of "queer," or the black community has for the term "nigger." The author of the blog is a smart person... I would think that this would be a priority. Take the power away from hate. Also, for all the things in the world to get angry over, a bit of humor -- and you have to admit that it was funny for a lot of reasons, whether the "haha, silly trannies" or "haha, terrible news reporting" or "haha, get it girls!" funny -- should not be one of them. Don't come after me, your supporter and your ally. Go throw malatov cocktails into the halls of injustice. Go sledge hammer the walls of division and difference. Go run a truck through the windows of... yadda yadda yadda. (This blog does not support violence in any form. And, if it did, it would come with a blueprint for action, not just vague suggestions.) UPDATE: Also disappointed that an activist would not take the opportunity to educate rather than fight. Rather than think, "this guy is ideologically on my side, he's just a little off on his message, maybe I should help him understand." Rather, I get yelled at. That's disappointing.

Seventh, confused: Of all the things that someone would take offense to on my blog ... this is what you choose? Please. My prolific use of the work "fuck" is more anger-worthy. Fuck.

Finally, proud: Thank you for saying your piece. Thank you for speaking out and calling me out. Thank you for keeping me in check. I owe you all the respect in the world for that. Not enough people do that.

Anyways, that's all. I hope that better clarifies my position.

Update: My response in the comments has been deleted.

When Drag Queens Attack

UPDATE, 2/1/09: AHHH!!! I AM TRYING TO PULL THIS OFF THE FRONT PAGE -- I know, I hate auto-loading video too!!! SORRY!!!!

UPDATE 2/2/09: THANK YOU JERE! You taught me how to turn off the autostart feature -- I really really appreciate it!!!

On the back of the tranny controversy...

When Trannies Attack!

See more like this on kontraband.com

I thought this was appropriate. Is it wrong for me to think, damn those girls are FIERCE? Took off their hoop earrings and their stilettos and all.

But seriously, don't piss off a drag queen. For your own safety. Bitches wanted their chicken nuggests and fries!

That seems to be the lesson here. Good for the White Castle employees in Northside to hear.

Just kidding. I repeat: that was not a threat.


Just saying. They're slow. And rude.


...and I want my mozzerella cheese sticks.



I would have like to have seen the discussion in the news room. "So, what do we call them?" It's funny they settled on transvestite.


(Thanks to DumbWhore, my new friend on Twitter, but NSFW.)

National Drag History Month

For the first time ever, LOGO (you know, that gay TV station we still don't have on Cincinnati's Time Warner) brings us...



...honoring those sisters that changed our world and led our movement and bring us joy and love and alcohol.

To all of my sisters in drag, and to all those who came before, we honor you.

From NewNowNext:

Drag queens everywhere, REJOICE! Stand a little taller in your pumps, high atop that plywood-covered pool table! As the delicious Varla Jean Merman is proud to announce today, "January is National Drag History Month!"

Yes, children... Finally, all of those pioneering trans-tastic visionaries who've fought to entertain, enlighten and educate us for decades are getting their due! Think of the societal and cultural strides made by queens at Stonewall, at pride marches and on stages around the world. And trust: Whenever there's a cause that affects the queer community, drag queens and kings have led the charge on our behalf!

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

Mary, mother of queens, honor these ladies with fierce nails, fabulous hair, 9 inch heels that don't bind at the toes, and support hoes. Gay-men.

Penny Tration - Video Blog #3 - 12.20.08

This my VideoBlog (I call it porn) #3 from my trip up to Axis Night Club in Columbus, OH.  We were doing a fundraiser for Camp Sunrise - a one week day camp for kids affected and infected with HIV and AIDS.  Alexis Stevens, Miss Ohio USofA @ Large was there to help me get thru the video.  

Thanks for watching!

GAY STUFF: Pneumosparklyosis

I actually had someone tell me, in all seriousness, that this was a serious issue and one that we have not addressed enough with the art teachers of the world. I mean, they were genuinely concerned about the growing problem of "glitter lung," and that its equitable to black lung in miners.

Right it's as real as any other article you would find on the Onion.

CINCY GAY SCENE: Kristy Kay Karolina Returns

That's right, folks, Kristy's coming out for a night to perform at Old Street in Monroe in the Miss Porkopolis pageant.... and she's bringing George Michael out!!! (well, sort of, but I think the idea of a drag queen doing male drag is fun)

Mama wants a crown!

But it should be fabulous. And, if you don't come, mama will beat you with her Scepter of Love.


This is an ISQCCBE event, so all moneys go to local charities. And that's a good thing.

WHO: Kristy Kay Karolina with the ISQCCBE
WHAT: Competing for the Miss Porkopolis 2008 pageant, to follow dear friend Dixie Crystals
WHERE: Old Street Saloon, 13 Old Street, Monroe, OH
WHEN: Friday night, 10-ish p.m.
WHY: Because you love me and I want a crown

Oh, and, as always, if you mention my blog when you see me, you can buy me a drink.

PERSONAL: Body Image and Engendered Bodies

So there are two of me... there is me and "Mama Kristy."

Last night, I spent the evening at, essentially, a college party in Oxford and, drunkenly, discovered that what Kristy says is unacceptable by me. From Mama Kristy, it's fabulous and fun... from me, it's creepy and lecherous. I swear that is not hte intent.

Interestingly enough, it creates an interesting sort of dichotomy of gender stereotypes within the gay community. AS a full figured and fabulous woman, it is acceptable for me to be a little gross and flirtatious and make boys play games... it is desexualized. However, when people acknowledge that I am a male and have to see me as male, it becomes sexualized and it becomes less fun and more ... well, the word used last night was "creepy."

The interesting jusxtaposition of situations is that I am a 210lbs (that 25lbs lost in 6 months baby!), hairy, "cub" (mini-bear). I've accepted that as the image people have of me... more importantly, I apparently seem older than I am. At 24, people guess me to be somewhere in the range of 32-37. So, on top of being that atypical body type, I now come off as an old, fat, hairy, lecherous man.

I wonder, on the flip side, how much of this would appear creepy were I 50lbs lighter, less hairy, and looked a little more my age.

I have a theory, based on all my evidence, that the only people who are creepy are those that we don't want to be sexualized... old people, ugly people, etc. The young and the beautiful cannot be creepy or lecherous; they are "free."

My prime example: a dear friend of mine has interest in being in porn. People laugh when I suggest that I want to be in porn -- "of course you do;" on the flip side, when he suggests it, people say that he is "open" and "inspiring because he just loves his body and loves sex and accepts it."

Uhhuh.

Change yourself or change the world, I suppose.