I remember my coming out with a lot of nostalgia and I should considering it was 25 years ago, it was a night of a lot of first‘s: my first kiss, first gay bar, first drag show, etc…? Just arriving in Houston, Texas; I didn’t know anyone and felt like a lost lamb in the big city, I got a job working with a company doing inventory for stores. The appeal of the job was working in a different locations everyday as well as working with a variety of people. This is where I met Charlene and Wendy; little was I to know the world that they would open up to me? Charlene and Wendy were the first lesbian couple I ever met or knew, they took me under their wing and we became fast friends.
We found ourselves one day with a 3 day weekend and Charlene has a great idea. We would go to Galveston to meet up with some friends for my first gay bar experience. There was something that I desperately tried to hide, that I had a strong attraction to Wendy. But how I could not betray them? They treated me like family and they were my only connection to the gay lifestyle. I imagine now that their relationship may have been somewhat strained after 12 years together? Maybe by helping me, they hoped to be able to reignite their passion for one another?
They picked me up that night for the drive to Galveston and on the way down the girls let me grill them with any questions about our night out.
“What do I expect? What do I do? What do I say? “I was babbling endlessly.
“Now Gina you have been to a bar before, the main difference is you’re going to be in a place filled with people who are gay and you won’t feel out of place. Nothing has to happen unless you want it to and we promise to save you if necessary? “They playfully joked at my naiveté.
We arrived and drove up to the Copa, it looked the same as any other bar, I don’t know what I expected a big sign that said “GAY BAR?” We walked inside and there was nothing unusual loud music, dance floor, pool tables, etc… nothing out of the ordinary. We met with their friends Dina and Susan who had saved a great table for my coming out party, though scared, I found myself very intrigued and made mental notes of everything in the bar like a detective on a big case.
“Gina, come on over and sit down, there is going to be a show tonight and baby you ain’t seen nothing yet! People come from all over to see the girls perform their show!” They built up my expectations and with Cheshire cat smiles; we all waited for the performances to begin.
When the show began I was instantly mesmerized by the women doing impersonations of Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, etc… I noticed people giving them $1 bills as tips based on their popularity or performance, I was fascinated by their beauty and stage presence. I anxiously got up and started tipping every performer, Ms. Ross was the first one I tipped and I nervously held out my money waiting for her to approach, when while singing she stopped in front of me, leaned in kissed me gently and took my dollar. I walked back to the table excitedly asking my friends if they saw me get that kiss?
“Yes Gina we saw you!” and by the end of the show I was so in love that my friends finally had to reveal to me that they were really men in women’s clothes! I was so heartbroken and disillusioned that I just couldn’t believe it! But I tell you what, my passion for drag queens stays with me to this day and they steal my heart every time! They are awesome, gorgeous, entertaining and after-all I did fall in love and get my first kiss from Ms. Ross on that night!
So the night was a roaring success for me, although I did not meet anyone that night. I learned that though the temptation to go after Wendy would have been easy, it was not in me to do that to a friend. The reality is that a relationship can survive the bumps and bruises of life, if 2 people really love each other? As for Charlene and Wendy, they were able to rekindle their love that night in Galveston and the last I knew of them, they are still together to this day. As for me; my night of so many first’s opened doors for me that I whole heartedly embrace and continue busting down on a daily basis. Ms. Ross, the honors belong to you … Hello Ms Heartbreak, I’ve been expecting you!
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