January 14, 2000

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

eveningsout

Four careers, two spirits, one Trinity Unitarian minister, in drag, sings torch songs like the best

by Michelle Tomko

If you were told that there was a "selfordained, Jewish spiritual Unitarian pagan minister," drag queen, trained masseuse who could sing torch songs live like Liza or Ella, and write a sassy advice column besides, you would probably be more apt to believe that Rush Limbaugh is going as Tinkie Winkie for Halloween next year.

But it's true, and it is happening in none other than Provincetown, Massachusetts. It's here that Jamie Grace, a.k.a. Trinity, sings live in drag to sold-out houses, preaches at the Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown, writes an advice column in Provincetown magazine, and works as a masseuse. Take one part Liza, three parts Barbra, five parts Joan Rivers, and one part Ru Paul, shaken not stirred, and you have Trinity.

"You have to take risks or you can't grow spiritually" said Grace in a recent phone interview. That's just what he did at a party he threw in 1996 while attending Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California where he received his masters of divinity degree.

"Basically I threw a drag party for priests." said Grace. This was the first time that he had ever done drag. It was on this night on October 11 that Trinity, a name referring to the biblical trinity, was born.

"Trinity is my mother," is the phrase that Grace used to describe his alter ego. "Trinity is a classy performer you can bring your grandmother to. Live singing is the future of

drag. Lip synching is the vaudeville of drag. Raunchy is easy. Whenever I'm on stage and am about to swear, I say: I'm gonna swear, everybody cover their ears."

But trust me, you never want to cover your ears when Trinity is in listening range. Her two CDs, produced by Sunrise Records, are amazing. A Good Man Is Hard to Find and the more recent That Lady Can Swing, are both packed with old swing and jazz classics that are beautifully done. From "Blues on the Night" to "Black Coffee," to a modern version of Marilyn Monroe's special birthday wish to "Mr. President," all songs are sung from the heart.

This isn't digitally conjured music, either. Trinity performs with the Chris Luard Orchestra, a ten-piece swing band that lends brass and class to the already smooth sound. You won't believe your ears. You never think for a moment you are listening to a drag queen sing.

Trinity is all vamp, all style, and all woman. If you were at a dinner party and were told you were listening to a torch song.anthology produced in the 1950s, you would believe it. In fact, when this CD was being reviewed, a passerby remarked, “That's a drag queen?”

"There's no room to be two dimensional," said Grace when asked why he doesn't ever lip synch. He said he learned about being real when he was studying to be a hospital chaplain. "Basically, my job was to hold people's hands who were dying of AIDS.”

The Reverend Trinity's message on the pulpit, preached in drag, centers around the idea that drag queens and cross-dressers have

a special spiritual message that gives balance to the split male and female world we live in. In a recent article, he explains that in some Native American cultures, gay men or crossdressers were referred to as "two spirit," while lesbians or tomboys were called "brave hearts." Both were given special places in the tribe, and husbands and wives respectively.

He also refers to the story of Moses on Mount Sinai when he asks God's gender. The reply of the voice of God was, "Tell them, I am that I am."

As for Trinity's advice column, she is what she is very opinionated with an answer for everything. The mission statement of "Tell Trinity" is to "support people in making their life, relationships, work and sexuality something that is an extension of their own personal adventure, their own private desires and their own intimate powerful self creation." The result of this mission is a vibrant, funny, intelligent, witty advice column that even the most seasoned Ann Landers could get tips from.

The advice differs from serious tips on dealing with death to such witticisms as "Hairy legs are natural, but opaque nylons are available in many colors."

Grace admits the column has also broadened his horizons. He has learned to not judge,

and accept concepts like open relationships or dating people who are married to help his readers.

But, it is often not without some tongue and cheek. In addition to the column, Tell Trinity offers top-ten lists. Two of her "Ten tips for dating someone married” are "Keep asking your higher power: How the hell did you get me into this mess?" and "Forget fantasizing about the future. There is none."

But if you're not going to be in P-town, Miami, or Berlin any time soon to catch a live performance of Trinity, don't despair. You can find Trinity at www.telltrinity.com. and order a CD, read excerpts from her column, and even ask her a question. If you love jazz or swing, you need these CDs. And we all could use a little advice from time to time.

Because there's no such thing as this.

If you really loved me

Maie Daems, as Lucie, and Vincent Perez, right, as Viviane, share a sad moment at the funeral of beloved painter Jean-Baptiste in the French, subtitled film Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train playing at the Cleveland Cinematheque January 21, 22 and 23.

The film centers around the funeral arrangements of a bisexual, narcissistic painter who lives in Paris but insists on being buried in the faraway city of Limoges. He declared that those who loved him would be willing to make the journey.

Those who love him include his alienated son, his daughter, whom everyone calls his "granddaughter,” Viviane, who is transgender, a gay couple who are going through break-up, friends, lovers, exlovers, and acquaintances.

Most of the action takes place on a train. Director Patrice Chereau tries to make the audience member feel like they are a stranger on the train trying to piece together bits of dialogue in a real Chekovian

manner

This film is a cure for Hollywood plots that end in neat little packages and for the average coming out film, as the gay issues are dealt with in a matter-of-fact way and aren't the central theme of the movie. The movie deals with gay people dealing with a crisis other than that of being gay

Michelle Tomko

Keep our number in your wallet instead.

ZD ||||

ZUKERMAN, DAIKER & LEAR CO.,L.P.A.

Attorneys at Law

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Edele Passalacqua

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