PRIDE GUIDE 1994 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 25

Drag: it's live theater

by Ray Newborn-Hilyard

AKA RAMONA DELREO

What do you think of when you hear the word "drag"? A bunch of nellie guys putting on dresses or another tired drag show? It's more than that for many in the gay world. It's night after night of rehearsing a routine. It's a way to make extra money. It's having a good time both on and off stage. It's the star you become.

Drag queens and drag kings have often been looked down upon. Some feel that the gay rights movement would move faster if drag queens weren't always the media focus. But the drag world has often led the way for the gay rights movement. Drag, in large part, has raised more money for the various organizations throughout the country.

It is not cheap to do drag. The money

spent on music, costumes and entry fees to shows and pageants can be staggering. And a lot of work and rehearsal goes into drag. But we do it because we love to entertain you.

Drag performers reach to achieve stardom wherever they can. Either by being a local celebrity or going on to the stage or screen, as many drag performers have recently done. And some drag performers just love to wear dresses.

So the next time you see a drag queen or king, be sure to thank them for the work they have done for you. It's really not easy to do drag and basically, it is live theater that you are seeing. Like theater, the show is sometimes good and sometimes less than good. But, all in all, it's a good time. My motto for drag and life... "Life is grand, kiss my hand, I'm a star!"

Cleveland Pride '94 March Demands

We, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community of the Greater Cleveland area, demand of our local, state and federal public officials the following: ▾ Equal rights in child custody, adoption and foster care.

▾ State and federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

An end to racism, sexism, ageism and homophobia.

Increases in funding for AIDS education, research and patient care, and universal

access to health care including alternative therapy.

Reproductive rights and increases in funding for women's health issues, especially research for women's breast cancer.

▾ Truth in education and acknowledgment of gays and lesbians in all curricula.

▼ An end to violence to members of our community.

▾ Our civil rights in housing, employment and public accommodations.

We have a life . . . not a lifestyle.

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