My coming out happened in Texas and after a very turbulent year of coming out, falling in love, college and eventual heartbreak, etc…. I decided with a very heavy heart to return home to Georgia to live with my parents while I found work and tried to find an outlet for my new found sexuality. In the small town where I lived there were only 2 gay bars, one of which was downtown but not very lesbian friendly and the other, 2 blocks away from the city jail. I can’t even remember today, how I came to discover May‘s, which was located in one of the worst parts of town!
I worked up the courage to go to May’s alone, the place inside was dark, dingy and not very inviting. It was early so I settled down at the bar and was approached by Lynn, a nice looking femme with long dark hair. We hit it off and she began to introduce to me to all of the regular customers… This is where I met Cindy, who was in school for theatre art production and makeup. After talking with her for a couple of hours, we came up with the idea of creating a local male impersonator, today known as Drag Kings.
If you have followed my many exploits through the articles on LoveDetour? Then you will recall that technically my first love and first kiss came from a drag queen imitating Diana Ross. Ever since then I have had such a fascination with drag queens that still to this day, I just can’t resist them, they mesmerize me every time.
She loved the idea and said “Gina, You can do it! I have all the knowledge and makeup from school and if you’re serious? I can transform you!” Her enthusiasm was so great, that we spent the rest of the night with her explaining, how the transformation would take place!
May’s had a weekly drag show and I asked May, if I could try out this new idea? She was intrigued by the idea and gave me her Ok to go for it!
Cindy and I got together one night, so that she could teach me how to apply the makeup. I watched patiently as she cut hair into very fine stubbly cuts and began putting spirit gum on my face, then little by little applying the fine hair with a make- up brush. Within in 1 hr, Cindy had transformed me, and looking into a mirror, I saw myself sporting a full beard and mustache … so in the summer of 82, I became Midnight Cowboy. Since I had lived in Texas, I had the cowboy hat with feathers clips reaching the floor and finally I dressed all in black completing my new look.
The next step was finding the right song that would get the crowd involved in the show. It was not as easy as it seemed and as I followed this path I learned to appreciate this fine art more and more. I sat and talked with many Drag Queens and they were excited for me, each giving me their special insight. They gave me advice on how to carry myself, accept tips, the gestures to draw the crowd in, music etc…It was a honor to work with these entertainers and watch them as they transformed themselves from ordinary men to “Fabulous Looking Women!”
Finally on a Saturday night, Midnight Cowboy was in the line up…I got there early joining the girls in the back … the girls were in awe as the makeup began transforming a woman into a man…we were all impressed with each other’s special creative gift.
I was scheduled to be #4 in the line up…while I waited I had a few shots of Jack Daniels trying to calm my nerves for what was either to be a great success or a great failure. I had chosen the song “You never even called me by my name” by David Allen Coe…so as I heard my name announced and the music begin, Midnight Cowboy walked out onto the stage… There was a strange hush over the crowd at first…but you could soon see their puzzlement turn to amazement as they caught onto to the idea of what they were seeing. Women, men and other entertainer‘s, all coming up to tip me whispering words of praise and encouragement, there were even a few indecent proposals…but that is a story for another day dear reader’s…as Midnight Cowboy walked off that stage a star was born.
I worked doing drag for 3 yrs, even performing in Atlanta Georgia and being honored enough to be asked to be in a show, at one of the best drag bars of that time Illusions. It is an incredible feeling being any kind of entertainer, performer, artist, etc…it is something that calls to an inner spirit within you…the applause, the smiles, the appreciation, etc… for if one person goes away happy.. It is all worth it!
Until next month, have faith the next adventure is right around the corner!
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