
Caption: “A thorn between four roses.” Confessional … season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is the first full season I watched consistently (and obsessed over). #badgay. My friend and #LMA23 co-conspirator Athena Dion was a contestant this year, and I watched to show my support of a truly dear human being. (Which also resulted in too many weekly parental Friday night texts, letting her know how proud I was of her, rhapsodizing about every fabulous thing she did and mothering the quintessential MOTHER.)
But here’s the thing … I became so invested in the entire cast. How genuine they all were and are. How they looked out for each other. How they brought light and humor and refreshing silliness to our homes every week.
So, when I learned Roscoe’s Tavern was hosting the “final four” (no, NOT basketball) finalists Monday night for a meet-and-greet and performance, I snapped up a ticket and figured out what in the heck I could wear/bring to go from work to fabulosity. I couldn’t compete but I wanted to hold my own.
This quartet – Nini Coco, Myki Meeks, Darlene Mitchell, and Athena’s drag (grand)daughter Juicy Love Dion – represent four of the best aspects of queer joy … four “muses,” if you will (you’re welcome, Athena): the ingenious engineer, the empathic actor, the buoyant comedian, and the ebullient dancer. And they were every bit as lovely and kind IRL as onscreen.
“Authenticity” is a word thrown about with far too much abandon these days, but when you experience it firsthand as I did Monday night, it is a rare and beautiful gift. As I told fellow (recovering) Hoosier Darlene, if I’d had role models like this to inspire me years ago when I was finding my way in this (gay) world, it would made everything so much easier, so much safer.
Visibility matters. Representation matters. Community matters.
Kudos to emcees Kara Mel D’Ville and Batty Davis for slaying all night (am I using that right?). And special thanks to Batty for the lovely chat as she waited “backstage” (the alley behind Roscoe’s 😅 … oh, the glamour!) as I was heading home. A fellow Michigander! My hubby John always says, “EVERYONE has a Michigan connection!” He’s not wrong.



































