Drag Season - Palm Springs Pride

It feels like there are Gay Pride events

happening all year around!

I don't think that's wrong,

especially now, as the far right

is trying to drag us back decades

to when all the hard fought for

rights and acceptance for us did not exist.

This November, 

I celebrate Gay Pride by donning

accidentally deranged drag

and hopping on a float.

What had happened was this;

Last year I got a text asking if I would like to join 

The Best In Drag Show queens

on their float.

As excited as I was, I could not, as I was dog sitting over the weekend.

(Ironically, I was dog sitting for guys who went to Palm Springs for the Pride weekend.)

 This year,

I made note to keep Palm Springs Pride open on my calendar

so that I could excitedly reply, 
"Boy Howdy, Yes! I would love to!"

Well, I didn't get an invitation,

prolly 'cause they had plenty of queens.

But I kept the weekend open...

so I invited myself.

Look, I won in 2018 and I wanna do my part

to continue helping out the organization and 

The Alliance for Housing and Healing.

Usually the group of queens

stay in a house, get a good night's sleep

then wake in the morning, slap on their faces

and head over to the parade.

Since I invited myself,

I wasn't privy to the fancy housing.

So, I stayed in West Hollywood, woke up extra early, beat my face,

(it looks literal)

and drove two hours to Palm Springs 

before the 9:30am gathering time.

Let's discuss the drag...

Reba Areba looks deranged!

Now, I didn't really look at my "look"

before putting it together the morning of...
it all worked in my head:
Float is a boat, swim/lounge wear, 

sun hat,

wig that accommodates hat. 

Got it.

Maybe it all started going wrong when I decided to add

the lower lashes just 'cause...

also, it doesn't help that I can't ever get my right lashes to not flop forward.

Actually, it doesn't look all that crazy until I add the 

the super curly red wig

and the hat.

Anyway, my look went from 

"Possibly cute" to

"This is what happened to Baby Jane" 

I must remind myself to put everything together before I leave the house,

just in case I have to make some mitigating adjustments.

Instead, I changed into my swim suit next to a porta-potty

outside the Palm Spring Visitor's Center

and didn't put the wig & hat on until I was parked on Indian Canyon Drive.

So, there was really nothing I could do at that point,

but embrace it and enjoy a deranged ride on a boat float.

This is a photo I stole from someone.

Anyway, that's us

Best In Drag Show;

Glamour & nutz!

Here are the fab gurlz who were gracious enough to let me ride the boat:

Madison Square Garden,

Best In Drag 2022 winner!

And here are some lovely people I saw in the street,

who didn't run when they saw me...

After the parade,

we made our way over to 

Eight4Nine

for a delicious brunch!

Afterwards, they headed off for more Pride events

and I headed home before I got spotted & committed.

All in all, it was a lovely day

and I got some shots

of parade goers and shirtless men.

You may enjoy these photos, if you'd like.

Just remember,

as you peruse the pics

that we CAN NOT take for granted

the rights, freedoms and level of acceptance that we have today!

Please, VOTE!

Vote for the people who will actually represent you and your best interests

and vote AGAINST oppression!

And now, this:

Jason Stewart & Terry Ray

Luis Camacho Xtravaganza

Halloween in WeHo 2022

Despite my deep desire to just stay in this Halloween night, 

especially after the Halloween crush that killed over 150 people in Seoul, Korea,

I found myself in downtown WeHo singing 

You're The One That I Want

with 7 Bad Sandies.

Originally, I was going to stay in...

Then, my friend, Chris Pudlo, invited me to a party at his home.

I thought, "I'll do that. It's nearby and I can see costumed people

as I walk there - Away from downtown WeHo."

Then, muh DAB, Dudley informed me that he 

and a few of our friends were going to hang out and watch something

before they head out to the boulevard starting at 2 or 3 pm.

Feeling a little tired of work, I thought,

"Well, I can start out with them and walk over to Chris' from

downtown WeHo."

I took a few personal hours away from work,

slapped on my laziest costume in years and joined Dudley and the fellas.

When I got there, there was less watching something

and more 7 guys getting into Bad Sandy drag.

It promised to be a a fun group costume.

And, it was!

Before we knew it, the sun was setting and it was time to hit the streets.

It was only a little before 6, so I had a few hours to kill before the party.

I remained with the Sandies, carrying their music source as  

You're The One That I Want

played on an endless loop.

The Bad Sandies were a hit!

Channel 5 news ate them up

Folks on the street loved them

And a savvy DJ put 

You're The One That I Want

on the moment the Sandies walked into Gym Bar

and the crowd went wild!
Everyone joined in.

Despite my worries of a rogue Halloween mob taking over the streets of WeHo,

it turns out that it was busy, but not scary crazy crowded, 

so I felt relaxed enough to hang with the Sandies awhile...

(Fake cigarettes; the Sandies weren't THAT bad!)

Before I knew it,

it was 10pm

and I was pooped.

I sent Chris psychic regrets and 

walked home.

All in all, 

it was a nice, fun evening out

and I got a bunch of pics

on the street and in bars

Motherload, Heart and Gym Bar.

I also got to see a few friends on the street...

Like, John Coulter

You may recall that he made my wonderfully delicious

costumes for Best In Drag Show 2018!

Additionally, I got some fun shots

of holiday celebrations, spewky stuff 

and hot guys.

ENJOY!

P.S. this is a public apology to Chris Pudlo

for not showing up to the party after accepting his invitation.
I'M SORRY!

Can anyone name this actor?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2022 MEMORIES!!