In-Queer-ies of the Modern Gay

So, you're headed to your first drag show, but you're wondering what you need to know, in order to not be an annoying audience member? Well, then you're in luck because I am here to help you! Bring plenty of bills! Often, local drag queens don't get paid to perform for you, so what they are being tipped, is their income! If you like the show, make sure to tip the girls! Give the queens your undivided attention! You wouldn't go to a play in a theater and sit and text your friends the whole time, so don't do that here. Some queens are interactive, so if they come up and talk to your, just play along! Don't be scared. Their job is to entertain you, and in order to do that, sometimes they have to embarrass you. Don't take it personally. They're just doing their job. Take pictures and videos of the queens you enjoy, and make sure you post them all over social media. Social media advancements have completely changed how we look at drag, so it's...

On November 15, I visited Kansas City to see season 7 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant, Pearl, perform live. The event was made possible by traveling drag company, Hard Candy KY, and was hosted by Kansas City native drag queen, Widow Von Du. Hard Candy KY will be bringing more popular television-starring drag queens to Kansas City in the upcoming months. On December 6th, season 8 winner, Bob the Drag Queen, will be at Missie B's, and on January 31st, season 6 and All Stars 3 contestant, Milk, will be at Missie B's. For more information about upcoming shows, check out Hard Candy KY's Facebook page ! For more information about Missie B's, check out their website !

For this post, I decided to highlight some of the popular LGBT+ -Friendly spaces that are available in the area. Although Topeka and other small, neighboring cities don't have many LGBT+ exclusive options for hangout spots, there are many available with a drive east to Kansas City! I'm going to give a quick rundown of just a few of my favorites from the map you see above! Bistro 303 is a French-inspired restaurant that offers brunch, dinner, and cocktails. They have delicious food and a very welcoming atmosphere. Bistro 303 was the first LGBT+ establishment in Kansas City to have windows looking out onto the street. Other popular gay bars and spaces would black out their windows! Bistro 303 opted against that, in order to convey an open, welcoming space. This is an all-ages space. Missie B's is notably the first LGBT+ bar in Kansas City. They offer wonderful drink specials and a lively, fun environment.  In addition to this, they also offer drag shows or karaoke eve...

Last month was Queer History month, and even though I'm a little late, I still thought I would honor that by giving a brief history of the LGBTQIA+ community. You can find the slideshow I made below, hopefully by reading you learn a thing or two!

On October 6th, Netflix released a documentary called “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.” The film follows Victoria Cruz, an LGBT rights activist, who is determined to bring light to the mystery surrounding the death of LGBT activist and transgender icon, Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha P. Johnson was a New York-based drag queen and transgender woman who was one of the leaders of the Stonewall Riots that took place at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969. In addition to this, Johnson also founded S.T.A.R. (Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries), which helped provide resources for homeless transgender individuals living on the streets of New York City. She was widely loved and admired by members of the LGBT movement in the 1960’s through her death in 1992, which caused an uproar, due to the fact many pieces of evidence lead people to believe she was murdered, although law enforcement officials claimed her death a suicide and closed the case. Marsha P. Johnson’s mysterious death...