You know, I am quite picky.

I have very distinct likes and dislikes when it comes to
significant issues like food, music and movies but it am also
quite fussy when it comes to trivial things like which type of
chili should be served with which meal. Aside from being
quite finicky with significant and also trivial things, I am also
quite selective when it comes to random things like, Drag Queens.

Yes, you heard me!

Today, we are talking about men who dress up in women's
clothing for entertainment, DRAG QUEENS!

You know, to be completely honest, I have never really been
fan of the whole drag thing. Not that I have a problem with
men dressing up as women and women dressing up as men,
but to me, I just kind of felt that that was something we did
as kids and are supposed grow out of it (sooner or later).
Growing up, I would always see Dame Edna on TV and seriously,
she used to always scare the crap out of me!

To me, Drag Queens are like clowns. That is, over made-up
comical performers in crazy costumes who make fools of
themselves for other's people's [condescending] entertainment.
If you have watched Stephen King's "It", then like me, you might
possibly be scared of clowns. There's an actual term for it:
Coulrophobia.

So it is only fitting that I too would be scared of Drag Queens.

However, years later all changed when two very influential drag
queens changed my life: the first being Ru Paul- America's
reigning Diva of drag Divas. I dunno what it is about Ru Paul
as it seems over the 20 years or so since she first came to the
public's attention, many drag stars have come and gone. Yet
there has always been something about Ru Paul, which I had
liked.

It might have had something to do with her "It's Raining Men"
video, which I watched when I was young[er] or perhaps
because of the fact that she can balance the fierce/funny with
warm and caring. Either way, my love affair for Ru Paul hit an
all new level when the famous words, "Lip Sync for Your Life"
hit our small screens. Ahh...'Drag Race', what a crack up!

Apart from Ru Paul, all other drag shows and acts have always
been, well, a "drag". And unfortunately, I do mean "drag" in
the bad way. Sorry, I know that is not good or very
GLBT-empowerring to say, but the good news is that one day
all changed.

Enter my good friend, Rye aka La Chiquitta, Volume's resident
drag sensation!

I have always been a fan of supporting friends on in their
artistic ventures be it their violin recital, their theatrical or
hip-hop dancing performance or even exhibition of their art.
What ever the venture, you will find me there supporting
my friends as they support my hobby of writing. In that
same light, I went on down to catch La Chiquitta's show
one day and my opinion of drag was changed forever!
She was not only great on stage but it was so nice feeling
akin to the performer on stage. I knew that person behind
all that makeup and watching a friend on stage gave me
the opportunity to change my opinion of drag shows as I
thoroughly enjoyed myself. I dont really know how to
explain it but having a friend in a show always gives it so
much more meaning, for spectator and performer alike.

So now you will always find me at all of La Chiquitta's
performances. Hells, I have even been in one of them myself!
Lol, I guess now I know how all of our parents felt when they
used to go to all of our primary school Christmas performances
each year without fail.

Here's wishing our city's first ever Drag Diva recording artist
La Chiquitta all the best with her new single in co-hoots with
DJ Stonedog. Thanks guys for always giving your best to put
on a good show at Volume because as you know, I am a very
picky bastard.

Your faithful Boy Scout blogger,

Hoy Boy

* La Chiquitta's debut single "Tranny In The House" is out this week.
Available exclusively @ Volume, Sat Nov 21.