Coming from the Northeast in the 90’s when being gay was by far not something to celebrate, I made a pact with myself to come out at the age of 21. I told my mother while we were stuck in traffic since I had just become the Chairperson for Temple Lambda Alliance-the lgbt group on campus. I told my father in a letter. Yes, a letter, there was no internet back then haha. Luckily I had found the support of my parents, but I don’t think not having that support would have stopped me in any way – you know how I am haha.

Once I was out there was no stopping me – I had the pride rings on, the T-shirt’s from 10percent.com, and once I was out of college I was an editor and columnist for the Philadelphia Gay News. And honey once I started drag there wasn’t a closet big enough.

In 2004, Fox 29 featured me in full drag as Barbara Streisand and showed clips of me all through her last televised concert to millions of people all across the country – not only was I now out, but I was an out drag queen. But once I found my tribe, I knew I wanted to make the future better for all of the kids coming out in generations after me – so fast forward twenty years later, I’m still doing my part to make our community as visible as I can.

I started Drag Queen Story Time here for parents and their kids at libraries across the tri-state area, my Miss Fancy Brigade bringing drag and a strong trans presence to the city’s biggest parade on New Year’s Day, and I work with as many local charities I can to just simply give back and be involved.

Every penny and opportunity I have made in my adult life has come from this community, and so it’s definitely a must to give back whenever and wherever I can. When you’re ready to be who you are and share yourself with the world, the universe will reward you for your bravery. I lived the life people wanted or expected me to live until I became 18, then my new life started when I came out. I would not change this life for anything in the world. If you’ve spent more than two minutes with me, you’ll hear me say “that’s gay!” a million times. When people ask me, “How are you today?” My answer is always, “I’m gay!” Yep, as gay as I can be – mostly dressed as a giant womanly clown and opening up for celebrities, performing stand up at Casinos, and touring as a Golden Girl. If I stayed in the closet who knows what hell I would be going through, or what lies I would be living. You get once chance at this thing called life kids – So come out – be proud – give back. It’s gay.