Rudy Flesher: A Modern Day Renaissance Man

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar


Definition of polymath:   [n] a person of great and varied learning. Term often used to describe a “Renaissance Man”

 
The Renaissance Man

The Renaissance man (or woman) knows a great deal regarding a variety of topics and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences. He is man who has broad intellectual interests: he is also known as the Universal Man,  Italian ‘Uomo Universale’, an ideal that developed in Renaissance Italy from the notion expressed by one of its most accomplished representatives, Leon Battista Alberti (1404–72), that “a man can do all things if he will.”

     I was recently engaged in conversation with an Executive Director of a local agency when I was asked who, in my opinion, was the most exciting or dynamic figure currently in the LGBT community. Without a second of hesitation, I said Rudy Flesher. Asked to explain why, I said that I had become acquainted with this young man  socially but learned about the amazing individual he is thru social networking. While I knew Rudy was involved in so many incredible things improving our community, I was not quite sure what it all was all about! Of course, when asked to interview those in our community who are the epitome of activism, Rudy was my first choice. I will also say that he is certainly not only one of my most respected role models, I feel he is someone who in just a few short years that everyone will know, not just here in Philadelphia but on a much larger stage.  I set out to get to know this modern day Renaissance Man and spotlight all the amazing things he does! I expected to be impressed but what I didn’t expect was that I was about to be blown away! In my humble opinion, after this conversation with Rudy, I am going to say that he is MOST definitely our community’s most intriguing figure! It is my pleasure to share with you my first interview of a man I greatly admire!


D.M.: Rudy, you seem to be involved in so much! Can you share all that you do and all the organizations that you are involved with?

Rudy: I work as the Community Curator for Here's My Chance. We are a business that runs social good campaigns. So whether a non-profit is sharing a new program with their constituents or a business wants to share a story about how they are giving back to their community, we work with them to tell that story – from developing video content, social media, email or newsletter information, and more – basically anything and everything they need to share the good that they are doing.

     I sit on three boards. I am the Co-President of The Spruce Foundation, as well as the LGBTQ Youth Program Officer. I also sit on the Board of Young Involved Philadelphia and The William Way Community Center.

     I have also volunteered for Equality Pennsylvania this year, putting on two "Storytelling for Equality Fundraisers."

     I used to volunteer for TOY every year before I could afford the ticket to attend, and I got my volunteering start with the Philadelphia Film Festival and Q-Fest (then the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival).

DM: If you had to choose ONE passion to dedicate your time to, which would it be?

Rudy: It would have to be leadership development because that’s the issue that touches all others. When you participate in developing leaders, whether as a mentor or through a leadership development program, your impact is exponentially bigger than the energy you put in because you are empowering others to take action as well.

     I’m not a leader because I woke up one morning with the knowledge and skills to be – it’s a direct result of the incredible time and knowledge others have invested in me, especially through the Center for Progressive Leadership and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention out three of my biggest champions, who always hold a vision for me bigger than I even hold for myself – Mel Orpen, Chris Bartlett, and Brian Sims. There are many more, but these three are the first among equals. I couldn’t be more blessed to call them colleagues and friends.

DM: I am curious as to how you became so community-oriented. What were those things that influenced you and also, were there any role models or inspirations from your childhood that shaped who you are  today in terms of your community service?

Rudy: I was taught from a young age to learn and talk about the world around me, both from some wonderful teachers, and by my parents. Frankly I also give the cartoon “Captain Planet” a great deal of credit as well. It inspired me to always think of myself as having both the right and the responsibility to take action if I saw something happening that was wrong.

DM: What do you see as the biggest issue facing the LGBTQ community here in Philadelphia? How about nationally? Any ideas how you would try to remedy that?

Rudy: Philadelphia is an interesting situation because we’re one of only 11 cities nationally that gets a 100% of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, yet we live in a state that has NO statewide civil rights protections for LGBT people. That obviously needs to change so that all Pennsylvanians enjoy the non-discrimination protections we have for housing, employment, and public    accommodations. But if you’re looking specifically at Philadelphia, it changes; the issues vary across the LGBT spectrum.

     For trans people, and especially trans women of color, the issue is clearly safety. We have seen one tragic murder after another of transgender Philadelphians and I think that trans people are still far less understood and accepted by straight, cisgender people. (Cisgender means identifying with the sex and gender you are assigned at birth.) And sadly, there’s a fair amount of transphobia among LGB people too. The biggest impact might be in media portrayals and education rather than a legislative answer. DC has a great public poster project educating those working and living in the District about trans people. It’d be great to see a similar visibility and education campaign here.

     For LGB adults in Philly, since we have non-discrimination protection working and living, marriage inequality is the biggest single legal barrier here. And, this is where you’ll see I’m a cup-half-full thinker – we’re lucky that marriage equality is only illegal here, as opposed to constitutionally banned, as it is in 31 other states. For LGBT youth, though, the issues are bullying and homelessness. With a public school system in crisis and having far too few youth shelter beds at all, let alone ones safe for LGBT youth, these are some of our communities’ most urgent needs, but also a need of people who often have the least voice. One incredible, beautiful, shining beacon of hope is The Attic Youth Center, whose work with LGBT Philly youth is just off-the-charts phenomenal.

     Incidentally, all Philadelphians should be supporting Equality Pennsylvania, whether with time, talent, or treasure – AKA volunteer and send them money! They’ve helped pass most of the 29 local non-discrimination ordinances that protect roughly 1/3 of LGBT Pennsylvanians at a local level. They also have policy wins like working with PENNDOT to allow transgender people to change their ID more easily, helping PPL Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, add a gender non-discrimination policy, and lobbying Republican Congressman Charles Dent to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act.

     Nationally we’ve won on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and marriage is all tied up in the courts. There’s no way the current Tea-Party infused House will pass it, but we need to be building support with our allies to finally get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act passed. It has languished for decades, mot Americans want it, and ironically, most Americans think it already exists, which is why it’s hard to get traction on – it requires so much messaging directly to constituents in order to get them to push their Congresspersons to pass it.

DM: Where do you see yourself in 10 years both professionally and personally?

Rudy: Personally is the easier one, I think. I would definitely like to be married by then, with a kid or three. I see myself most likely staying in Philly, but I need to learn more about the protections for same sex parents before I do that, and I’d need to be more confident about the (hopefully improving) quality of our schools.

     Professionally, that’s a tough question. In the last two years I’ve made serious forays into the worlds of performing arts, writing, politics, and non-profits – and now I’m starting a job as Community Curator with Here’s My Chance, an innovative, local start-up. I can see the fifty year view of my life where I’ve had different careers as an entrepreneur, artist, and politician, but I’m at a crossroad, discerning what is for now, and what is for later.

DM: On a lighter note, can you share with us the “how/when/whys” on your iconic stage persona, The Notorious OMG?

Rudy:  I was in line at a film screening at QFest in 2010 and talking to my friend Heather Coutts, who is the artistic director of the Liberty City Kings Drag & Burlesque Troupe (LiCK for short). She was telling me about a documentary she was working on about the evolving art and community of drag kings. I was about to start my final coursework to complete by BA in Women’s and Gender Studies, and I offered to do my thesis on the history and gender theory behind drag kinging in order to help with the research. In turn she offered for me the opportunity to MC LiCK’s calendar release party.

     That night was totally magical, and not only have I been LiCK’s resident MC ever since, and have continued to perform with many of the people that I met that night outside of LiCK as well. Currently I MC LiCK’s monthly show, Vixens & Vagabonds, and my own variety show, Thank Goddess it’s OMG!, both at Tabu; I also MC Sister’s Burlesque Showcase.

     Growing up in my family, you got heard by being funny, and I combined that with the sex positive, queer affirming messages I heard from artists like Margaret Cho to bring people shows that are raunchy and fun, but also welcoming and positive as well.
DM: One final question, a more personal question, because after learning all about you, I am sure the readers will want to know, are you single? Looking?
Rudy: Single. Ready to date. But decidedly waiting for the right guy rather than rushing into something that isn’t right. ;D

     There you have it everyone! A million thanks to Rudy, a dynamic individual, for taking time out of his schedule to share all the incredible work he does to share a glimpse into his life! I knew I was going to be impressed but I honestly have to say, it goes so much deeper after speaking to Rudy! Here is a guy forging ahead to touch lives, making a difference, and impacting his community in so many positive ways! I am so excited to see where his path will lead him and I expect that he will be someone to make a mark in history. 

Read Related Posts...