The long history between Baby Boomers and drag performers
by Bruce Hartley
Life Columnist
What does most Baby Boomer LGBTQ+ folks like more than an episode of Will and Grace? For my friends and me, we love a fun drag show.
Many of us have grown up watching drag entertainers at local clubs and supporting them with our dollar bills for their awesome performances.
Recently, my fiancé and I spent Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and enjoyed three different drag shows. Our highlight was the Miss Coco Peru show and meet and greet that followed.
This event is one of my favorite projects in my strategic communication career. Sitting in the front row for such a famous drag show along with the opportunity to meet Coco in person was very humbling. Yes, I was a star-struck fanboy.
I was amazed when Coco walked into the meet and greet and demonstrated grace and professionalism by taking her time to walk from table to table and visit and pose for photographs with her fans. When she made it to my table, I was like a deer in headlights. I had just watched the finale of Will and Grace where Coco was a guest star, and I started giggling and became tongue-tied at the same time.
Coco had just performed a wonderful show for a nearly packed auditorium and took time to change into a little black dress to attend the meet and greet. Her show was full of fun stories and singing show tunes. It was fun to sing along with other theatre lovers as we supported Coco and hung on to her every word.
I asked Coco what she thinks Baby Boomers think about drag. Her reply was, “I am thrilled when Baby Boomers come to my show … because they have grown up with me and it’s like they are rooting for me.
“And then to see Baby Boomers sitting next to a new generation of young gays it’s wonderful because they are looking up and saying, ‘listen to her.’ I think Baby Boomers appreciate what I’ve done. At least I hope.”
Meeting Coco and visiting with her was such an honor and one that I will never forget.
Diversity Weekend included some other awesome drag shows. The Rowdy Beaver Restaurant and Tavern hosted their first drag show featuring special guests: King and Queen of Tulsa Pride 2019, Anita Richards and Scrappy Legacy.
This show was heavily attended by Baby Boomers. We didn’t know what to expect, but it was full of fun, music and crowd participation games. Miss Oklahoma Comedy Queen 2019, Josie Lee Turrelle was the host and emcee and set a humorous tone for many laughs.
Other performers included queen Sasha Turrelle, male dancer Venon Lee and singer Madam Charms. The owner of Rowdy Beaver announced at the end of the show that he would host more drag shows due to the success of this show.
We also enjoyed an afternoon outdoor drag show that featured the current Miss Sonner Plains Oklahoma, Erika Shaye. She kicked off the afternoon with a stellar performance in a striking hot pink gown. Other queens and kings followed, and it was the first outdoor drag show for me.
I enjoyed how the drag performers moved around the crowd and engaged face to face with the audience. Their interaction was a good example of breaking down walls between audience and entertainer.
As a long-time fan of drag since the 1970s, I believe drag is an important part of LGBTQ+ history. Coco helped break down walls for many gay entertainers.
A final quote from Coco reminds me of the importance of drag history, “I am still here. That’s really a lot to celebrate. The fact that I’ve had a 28-year career in drag. I created drag when people told me this was a nail in the coffin of your career. You will never work again and be openly gay.”
Thank you, Coco, Josie and the rest, for all you’ve done for Baby Boomers, drag and gay entertainers.
Copyright The Gayly. 5/27/2019 @ 2:01 p.m. CST.