-->

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Feminine Differential - How Do You Zip A Back Zipper?


I love this illustration.





Or the best of the best, find a willing partner to do the deed. But that is a whole other discussion. What is your solution?




Monday, March 30, 2020

Dancing With The Stars - Courtney Act



Shane Gilberto Jenek / Courtney Act

Note: Please watch the YouTube Dance Video below -  At about 16 minutes you are in for a big shock.  What amazing talent.


(Wikipedia) Shane Gilberto Jenek born 18 February 1982, better known under the stage name Courtney Act, is an Australian drag queen, pop singer, entertainer and reality television personality. Courtney first came to prominence competing on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. After the show, she released her debut single, "Rub Me Wrong", which peaked at No. 29 on the ARIA Singles Chart in 2003, while auditioning for Australian Idol, she also became the first LGBT contestant to openly appear on a reality TV talent show.

In 2014, Courtney was one of the runners-up in season six of RuPaul's Drag Race.

In January 2018, Courtney appeared on season 21 of Celebrity Big Brother UK and ultimately won the series with 49.43% of the final public vote. Courtney also began hosting The Bi Life, the UK's first bisexual reality dating show, on E!.

In 2019, Courtney competed and was runner-up on season 16 of the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, where Courtney was paired with Joshua Keefe. This made Courtney and Keefe the first same-sex pairing in the history of the Australian version, as well as the second same-sex pairing on any version of the show..

From Courtney Site:


And yet, Courtney Act is more than just gender or drag. She is a contemporary artist who embodies the zeitgeist of an era. One of the first artists to show their gender fluidity as well as their natural talents when boy, Shane Jenek, was passed by during the auditions for season one of Australian Idol, he came back the next day as girl: Courtney Act. Courtney showed the judges so much more than her music ability and went on to be one of the most iconoclastic contestants the show has ever seen and was signed to Sony/BMG; embarking on a national arena tour with her fellow Idols.



Courtney/Jenek prefers the pronoun she when referring to Courtney and he when referring to Jenek.

I want to thank the blog Gussup Gurl for this beautiful find. 



Saturday, March 28, 2020

Friday, March 27, 2020

Something To Do At Home - Girl Time

The Best OPI Shades Of All Time


If you are going a little stir crazy, there are little things we can do to break the monotony and still have girl-time.

Let your hair grow; after all we are going to the office and when will you have a better opportunity. Shampoo, use rollers and blow-dry. If that is too obvious for your Skype meeting, then why not just do your nails. Let then grow, trim into a feminine shape and use a neutral shade.  Who is going to notice, the USP guy and who cares?  Here is a YouTube on Giving Yourself a Manicure.   

Don't have any nail polish? Amazon delivers. 

Here is an article from the ZOE Report about The Best OPI Shades Of All Time, According To Celebrity Manicurists.  OPI is my favorite brand.  

These happen to be my favorite colors as well:



What are your suggestions for getting through this time at home? We may be confined, but Escapes are possible. Value your girl-time





Thursday, March 26, 2020

The Great Disruptor

In 2016 America was so stable we decided to send a collective message to our national leaders that we were fed up. Our last remaining nagging problem - partisan politics. In the 2016 election the choice was obvious - a career politician or a non-politician. Let’s elect an outsider, a businessman, a disruptor

It had been generations since we drafted young men to fight in an unpopular foreign war. We now sent professional soldiers who volunteered to do our bidding. They were willing able and devoted to the causes we assigned.  Mercenaries who fought and could manipulate drowns that kill for afar. War was now like a video game. 

911 scared us to the point of us willingly giving up personal freedoms and privacy. But it solved the problem. Only minor incidences occurred after that.  

Crazy gun violence was perpetrated against school children but again, with each attack, the gun sales lobby prevailed by fear-mongering. They told us, “What are a few children’s lives against our personal god-given, "pry the guns out of my cold dead hands”, right to arm ourselves?  These were isolated events and children don’t vote. 

Our 401K accounts kept growing, and banks promised, with fingers crossed, they would never let that kind of greed that caused the previous recession, happen again. We believed them and relaxed the regulations that got us into the 2008 Great Recession. The 401K accounts kept growing. Everyone who wanted a job found one; even if not a living wage. 

We convinced ourselves we were living in luxury because we could finance for two years grossly overpriced iPhones; even when they needed to be replaced every year to be “current”.  We had high definition TVs that could stream on-demand anything our hearts desired. We were distracted and lulled into false security. 

The rich got richer and the middle class evaporated. The working poor who had no savings were pacified by artificially low pay having employment. You could get a 50 cent an hour raise by changing jobs. They would be OK as long as they had a job or did not get sick. "We can make it month-to-month!” They told themselves, “So what if I have to work until 80 years old. I like working”.  

So with this false sense of security, we decided to send a message to Washington. To accomplish this we elevated an imbecilic, serial-bankrupt, reality TV star to the presidency as a populist attack on the bureaucracy. After all, how much damage could he do?  Everything was working pretty well.

It did not take long before we saw his true colors by giving tax cuts to his rich buddies, and going after the weak as bullies always do. Why complain when he was doing just what we sent him to do – disrupt.  Even if you did not agree with some/all of the decision he was disrupting. Big high-five - Stick it to the establishment. 

Now we have a crisis on our hands.  A disaster not of any one person's making. Nonetheless, a huge disaster that must be managed. A disaster that demands a real leader.  A leader that does not require a ego stroking from "yes" men. A leader that shows compassion. Incompetency is not going to cut it. Fear and panic must be abated.

We are days away from our "Rock Hudson Moment", when a beloved public figure or family member succumbs to the coronavirus. I am hearing from a family member, on the front line of medical care, how inadequately prepared her ER is.   

How bad can it get? Until we find a strong leader we are poised to find out. Historically one comes to the fore. E.g. Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, Roosevelt in the Great Depression and Churchill in World War II. Let’s hope it does not take too long. 


__________________

 
Just that some challenges simply cannot be met without a collective response of the sort only government can provide. That may seem obvious today, but it runs counter to the political currents. Perhaps we’ll remember when we leave our isolation and return to the public not to glibly denigrate the institutions and civil servants that protect it, or ever to stop pushing them, with respect, to be better.   Jordan Himelfarb  / The Toronto Star Newsletter 



Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend















BY:  Alina From the site Coster


Can men wear diamond rings?

Just get straight to the point: yes! Of course, men can wear diamond rings. First of all, there is the traditional wedding band. But the signet ring also falls under diamond jewelry for men.

This is practically the piece of jewelry man are most happy to wear: the wedding ring. The wedding ring one does not need a lot of explaining: it is the ring that shows your commitment to your loved one. It is not uncommon for men to wear a wedding ring with one or more diamonds in it. After all, the diamond
represents strength and love. Isn’t that what marriage is all about? Wedding rings for men come in all sorts and shapes. Some contain one (large) diamond, like a solitaire ring. 

Others feature a cluster of diamonds. But there are also men who prefer something less flashy and rougher. They can go for black diamond rings. The robust and sturdy look is something many men can get behind. Diamond wedding rings for men often contain a brilliant cut or the princess cut. The brilliant is an all-time traditional favorite. But the square princess cut also increases in popularity. We see that all square or angular diamond cuts work well in engagement rings for men.

From the Daily Mail in 2011:

If ever there was a sign that times are a-changing, it may be the rising popularity of men's engagement rings.'Management' rings are said to gaining popularity among heterosexual couples who have a forward-thinking outlook on relationships, with equality-minded men happy to make the same public 'pre-commitment' as women.From online jewelers to local boutiques, U.S. retailers are more often providing engagement options for men as well as women.Amanda Gizzi from the Jewelry Information Center recently told GalTime.com that 'engagement rings for men are a new concept here in the United States.'Men and women both wear engagement rings in a lot of countries around the world. For the United States it has never been our tradition. Therefore, it is a foreign concept to most people.'

  _________________



Personal Note:  I wear a diamond  solitaire ring almost all the time when out.  I purchased it in Palm Beach from a prestigious jewelry store on Worth Avenue several seasons ago.  It was summer and I may have been the only sale of the day.  I made the owner very happy that afternoon.  

I always get compliments and oddly the most on airline flights. The flight attendants on many flights notice and either smile or comment. 





Trues life meets Fantasy - Works For Me
From Eves Rib


Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Men's Skirts and Blouse - Unisex?

Cacao linen skirt for men in hakama style - Organic eco sustainable clothes

These are real offers / ad on ETSY - Cacao linen skirt for men in hakama style - Organic eco sustainable clothes.  The shirts is even listed as a blouse.  interesting. 


Hygge linen top shirt - Eco unisex loose blouse tunic for men and women



What do you think?  Would you wear it?

Monday, March 23, 2020

Easy "STEP-BY-STEP" Makeup Tutorial

 THE ULTIMATE STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL FOR PERFECT FACE MAKEUP APPLICATION (From Makeup.com)



Makeup application can be a complicated business, as we all follow our own set of rules and protocol when it comes to putting our faces on. Sometimes we get so stuck in our routine, we forget to stop and reflect on it. Do you ever wonder if you’re actually going about your makeup application correctly? We certainly do, so we asked makeup guru Alana Dawn to take us through the process, from start to flawless finish. Follow these seven basic steps for flawless makeup every time. 


Get ready for Makeup 101 — class is now in session!



STEP 1: Start with a clean slate. Make sure your face is fresh and moisturized before putting any product on it. Then, apply primer with your fingers to ensure your makeup lasts all day.

STEP 2: Using a duo fiber brush (the kind with white tips!),  apply foundation all over the skin and blend it onto the neck. We love Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for this.

STEP 3: Apply concealer below your eyes in the shape of a triangle. This technique ensures natural-looking coverage, brightens up your face and draws attention to your eyes.

STEP 4:  Apply highlighter along the top of your cheekbones, on the Cupid’s bow, chin and in between the brows. Then, swipe a contour powder along the sides of your nose, along the forehead (near your hairline) and hollows of your cheekbones.

STEP 5: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, extending up toward the temples.

STEP 6: Apply a light gold, shimmery shadow (or any shadow of your choice) to the lids and just below the lash line. Using a fluffy, blending brush, dust a soft brown shade into the crease and blend outward. Fill in your brows using a brow pencil or powder. Swipe on some mascara and your eye makeup is set!

STEP 7: Using a lip brush, swipe on a natural, rosy pink lipstick and you’re good to go!



Saturday, March 21, 2020

What Will Really Matter






Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Write a letter, call an old friend, work in the garden, leave a note for the neighbor who lives alone, read, rest, take an online course, play, stay close to your family (say you love them), but most of all, be nice.  





I [We] Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (1978)

"And I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive!"

Friday, March 20, 2020

Catch of The Day - My Boot Challenge



Naturalizer Allie
"Endless versatility - Timeless style."
 "The pointed toe bootie is chic beyond belief. And that’s an understatement."



I have a double whammy when it comes to boots. We are not talking snow boots here, but sexy high heel boots - The kind the Kinky Boots sang about with the "The Sex is in the Heel." In my book, high heel boots are the pinnacle of femininity.     

My problem is very few boots, almost none, will ever fit my feet. Although well within a typical female size of 9, I have an unusually high arch and large calf.  While ascending a stair case wearing a skirt one day after work, a woman commented, "You must be a dancer?"  I thanked her profusely and mentioned that most who don't comment are probably thinking, "Power Lifter".  We had a good laugh together. Needless to say that even after trying many wide-calf tall boots I have almost given up on the sexy variety.    
Pikolinos Roma Booties

I have found a friend in Pikolinos bootie and wear then regularly when traveling to cold climates.  They are a walkable, heeled booties that works for me. No one would ever mistake them for sexy but they work on a functional feminine level.


I was please to find the above bootie on-line at Naturalizer. With the elastic insert on both sides they accommodate my high instep, and come in a "Wide" up to a size 11.  And yes, the "pointed toe" is sexy, peekng out from under your jeans. The heel height is  3 1/4" and that is always the first item I look for in a description. I got a pair a month ago and checked recently and found the price to be about $70.00 - which represents 50% off.  

These look great and are as comfortable to wear as any high heel shoe. A catch of the day if you like sexy booties.  The Sex is in the heels.        



Thursday, March 19, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Billie Lee

Billie Lee

Billie Lee is a transgender woman, activist, and blogger currently living in Los Angeles. You may also recognize Billie from the hit reality show Vanderpump Rules on BravoTV. She continues to work with Buzzfeed and others in the trans community to create videos that aim to educate on trans issues. 

__________________

This is a portion of the "About Me" from Billie Lee's Blog.  Please read it all:

The journey to self-love brings you down a dark alley of emotional energy like shame, guilt and abandonment. If I want to fully love myself I must begin where it all started.
My name is Billie Lee and I am transgender. I was born and raised as a boy.  As a child I was forced to play the male role: “Billie, hold your fork more like a boy,” “Billie, only sissies walk like that.” I honor my parents for what they knew. They were only trying to protect me with the knowledge they were given. After being taken in and out of school, misdiagnosed with childhood depression and OCD, my parents just assumed I would turn out gay. I was shocked to learn after all the times being sent home crying for feeling too feminine for a boy’s body no one diagnosed me as transgender. A part of me is pissed, I want to scream, “Who was in charge? Did anyone give a fuck?”

Of course, now I know not everyone knew about gender identity issues, especially in a small Midwest town.  After leaving my hometown and discussing my gender identity issues with a therapist, I immediately started the physical transformation which began with lots of hormones and ended with major surgeries. I flew all over the world to see the best of the best. Vagina in Thailand, nose and lip-lift in Beverly Hills. I wanted to look like me, not some girl who had a lot of plastic surgery. During any transformation in life you are vulnerable, like an open wound just waiting to heal. Most trans people, including myself, deal with a lot of bullying, which I thought would be over after high school. But during my awkward transformational stages I was beat up by society. I couldn’t get a job for over a year, and dating was not even an option. I felt all the doors close and it was extremely lonely.



As the healing ended and I was forced to face the world as me, Billie Lee, a beautiful woman, I was so shocked at all the possibilities. Every door just opened up for me, it was as if the red carpet was rolled out. Job opportunities were everywhere, boys were lined up. I thought, “Wow, society finally accepts me! I’ve finally made it!” I literally walked around, and still do, amazed by what my beauty does for me. As society accepted me as a woman, I thought, “This is the dream! I’m finally the cool kid on the block.” No one questioned anything.







Billie Lee Talks Transitioning, Vanderpump Rules & Talk Show Goals

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The New Reality - Surviving A Pandemic

Jenga - Getty Images 

This morning I awoke from my mild re-occurring bad dream. The one where I have skipped all my college classes for a whole semester and now must face the prospect of exams and telling my grand-parent why I flunked out of school. This is something I never did and wonder many mornings, why this dream?

This morning was different. Now awake, the nightmare we are facing seems much worse.  Pulling the cover back over my head was not going to help.  Segments of our economy are facing shutdown. Markets are reacting wildly, unable to stop the spiral down into territory unknown/unimaginable. Retail as we know it, likely will never return with mass store closings ensuing. 

Yes, a global pathogen. There is nothing new here - the Black Death was a devastating epidemic of the bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. Over a period of  five years, it would kill more than 20 million people in Europe – almost one-third of the continent’s population.  (history.com/topics/middle-ages/black-death) The indigenous peoples of the Americas were spared these plagues until Eurasian diseases such as influenza, pneumonic plagues, and smallpox devastated the Native Americans, who did not have immunity to them - global travel's first pandemic.   

Today we have vast scientific knowledge to understand pathogens but still lack the ability to do simple preventable measures. This past week one passenger who was sick flew from New York (JFK) to Palm Beach (PBI). What an incredible selfish act that unnecessarily exposed many. There is a lesson for all of us here. You cannot fix stupid. 

I do not subscribe to the panic that seems to be occurring. Yesterday I saw one woman leaving my Publix Market with three carts full. She pushed one full cart, her teen daughter pushed another and a Publix bagger pushed another. I was not sure on going in, if I would find anything left. 

The post-mortem on the next four weeks will likely turn up many faults. The nation’s inadequate coronavirus testing has meant that the true scope of the problem is still unknown. More importantly, a lack of leadership at the top. A reporter asked the president if he took responsibility for the failure of the government he leads to resolve this sooner. “No,” he replied, “I don’t take responsibility at all”.

Another reporter asked if he [Trump] took responsibility for dissolving the White House office charged with coordinating responses to pandemics. (Beth Cameron, its former director, has an op-ed explaining how damaging this move was.) Trump denied any responsibility for this decision, too. “You say me, I didn’t do it … I don’t know about that,” he huffed, calling the query a “nasty question,” and cutting off the reporter’s microphone.

Still on February 29 Trump was calling the Coronavirus the 'Democrats' 'new hoax'. Watch the video and understand that precious time was lost.

  

New York Magazine - Intelligencer:


Trump has been quick to take credit for the economy up to last week, but now our reality has changed.  Harry Truman once said, “The buck stops here.” It is the most hackneyed cliche about the presidency, and leadership in general. Trump has never had to follow this principle, in a career that ran from inheriting $400 million from his father through various bankruptcies. Trump instead follows the ethos of a different famous leader — Tony Soprano, who once said, “Shit runs down hill, money goes up.”
"Every state doing their own thing, different cities doing their own thing, it's confusing, it's chaos," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday night. "The federal government should come up, step in, and say this is what we're going to do..."

Never have we needed a strong leader more.  Anyone at this point that can be a strong leader, please step forward.  Our Jenga stack has not collapsed and it is not too late. I am personally in the demographic that could see the worst of the Covid-19's' effects. This is personal. 

In the absence of leadership, let us all do our part to get through. 



__________________

I plan to continue to write and will make personal comments as to my health status if changes occur.  Please comment and we can use this and other forums to break the tedium that will ensue. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Avoid large groups. Let us all ESCAPE this challenge healthy, smarter and stronger.


   









Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Rookie Mistakes

There are problems that occur in sports that are attributed to “Rookie Mistakes". Few rising professional athletes are rookies in a true sense, either coming up through a farm league or college sports program. However, rookie mistakes happen when the rules that a player has been playing under are different in the professional arena.  

The same is true when one graduates from recreational cross-dressing to venture into the real everyday world;  whether it be socializing, volunteering or working in a secondary career. Example: As Rhonda in an office environment, I noticed that few of my fellow female co-workers wore dresses/skirts every day. Occasionally OK. However, if I wore them every day, I did not blend with the rest of the staff. Feminine cut pants were added to my wardrobe.  

Being a rookie and learning on the job does not mean you lack the skills. You just adapt to the new environment.

Lucille Sorella’s site “Femme Secrets” posted a discussion on “Male to Female Fashion Rules Worth Breaking". Let’s face it, there are few fashion rules in today’s culture.  Even the old “No white shoes after Labor Day” seem silly.  Styles go/come and then mesh together into an acceptable combination of "wear what you like". A perfect example is skirt length; just choose what looks best for you.  

Just for reference, here is the FemmeSecrets.com abridged list. I have paraphrased and detailed some of my “Rookie Mistakes”. 

Mistake #1 - Always dress as feminine as possible.

Whether your style is tomboyish, androgynous, or ultra-feminine be yourself with an eye to seeing what others are wearing.  Ultra-feminine is perfect for support group parties, clubs, and cocktail receptions, however not for helping stuff envelopes on a volunteer job.

Mistake # 2 - Restrictive shape wear is a must to tame the male body. 




Breast forms, a corset, gaff, and hip pads can transform the most masculine body into an hourglass. shape. When you want to feel like a "bombshell", shape wear is a girl’s best friend! However, on more than one occasion I needed to visit the lady's room to adjust/remove a shape-garment that was literally causing pain. Plan accordingly. Next time out, look around and see how many hourglass figures you see - restrictive shape wear is seldom necessary. 



Mistake #3 - Always wear high heels – The higher the better. 


While high heels are undoubtedly sexy and feminine, there’s no rule that says you must wear them all the time. I came home from a cocktail reception one evening and had to soak my hurting feet in an ice bucket.  That evening, I actually had to leave before it was over because of my hurting feet. Staying would have been much more fun. 




Mistake #4 - Matching from head-to-toe – over planning.

While you should always look coordinated, forget about old fashioned rules that say you must match from head to toe. Not only is this boring, but it also tends to look costumey and dated, as in my mothers 50s' look. Shoes need not match, purse, dress and jewelry. 

There is a lot of advice available all over the internet that shows pulled-together looks without going overboard.  My friend's wonderful blog, Susan after 60 has many great every day suggestions. A woman with class. Thanks Susan.     





Susan Street's Fashion Blog 


Avoid rookie mistakes. 


Monday, March 16, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Eve Lindley



Eve Lindley

"Dispatches From Elsewhere" Star [Transgender] Eve Lindley Chats About The New AMC Anthology Series







Dispatches From Elsewhere" Star Eve Lindley Chats About The New AMC Anthology Series
AMC’s original anthology series, "Dispatches from Elsewhere," created by and starring Jason Segel, is centered around four people who feel there’s something missing in their lives.

This foursome is brought together by chance when they stumble onto a puzzle.

As they begin to accept mysterious challenges, they come to find that the mystery winds deeper than they imagined.

Starring alongside Segel are Sally Field, Richard E.

Grant, André Benjamin and Eve Lindley.BUILD is a live interview series like no other—a chance for fans to sit inches away from some of today’s biggest names in entertainment, tech, fashion and business as they share the stories behind their projects and passions.

Every conversation yields insights, inspiration and plenty of surprises as moderators and audience members ask questions.


________________

Here is what the Observer said about,hHow Jason Segel Cast Eve Lindley in AMC’s ‘Dispatches From Elsewhere’:
“We held a casting call and Eve came in and I have to say, from the moment she started reading those lines, I knew that I had found my Simone, and that I would rewrite the part wherever needed to bring out these qualities that Eve was blessed with on her own,” he tells Vulture. “She’s an amazing actress and she made the part more complicated and gave Simone more depth than I ever could have managed on my own as a writer.”

Also read the Advocate article "Trans Actress Eve Lindley Stars As Romantic Lead in New Surreal Series" (Thanks Caitlin for giving me this article)








Video Credit: AOL Build VOD - Duration: 17:54s 

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Rhonda's Political Week In Review 3/15/2020

The Real March Madness







David Rowe.







Matt Davies’ political cartoons

Friday, March 13, 2020

Catch Of The Day - Making Jeans Work



If you are not careful jeans can can look "Tom Boy" and can detract from your feminine presentation.  This season's skinny jeans have taken off and you see them everywhere. This creates a fitting problem when some jeans become almost leggings. This is my first season experimenting with this look and do like the look on me. It makes my short legs look longer and the ankle cut (29") on jeans hits perfectly at the top of my shoes.  

The above jeans are Talbots' Slim Ankle Jeans - Tulip Print.  Sorry, almost completely sold out and I got the last pair of size 8.  Keep a watch, for I have seen this style/pattern repeat. The jeans have a lot of good stuff going on; slim cut, high rise with slimming panel, subtle girly tulip print and medium wash color. They really are form fitting and are unmistakably feminine; expect complements.

There is very little that you do not already have in the tops or shoe department that will not look good with these jeans.  The flats are also Talbots' Poppy Bow - Dot Print.  The sandals are Michael Kors Holly Sandals from last summer and the heels are Sam Edelman, Striped Hazel Pumps. You may be able to do a Google search and still find the sandals and heels.    

     Macy's Free People

Any stripe-top/t-shirt compliments the jeans and looks good. The one shown is Amazon's Zeagoo Off The Shoulder Convertible Tunic Top ($9.90). This Macy's Free People Fever Dream T-Shirt would also work and is on sale this weekend.

Don't shy away from the jeans casual look. Look for subtle touches that make for the feminine differential and enhance your presentation. if you go to the market or mall on any day, this is the look you see. Blending in does not have to be drab or boring while still being your real self.



Enjoy!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Rupaul



No matter your opinion of drag you must respect Rupaul as an entertainer. Here are some of his accomplishments as noted in Wikipedia:  An American drag queen, actor, model, singer, songwriter, and television personality. Since 2009, he has produced and hosted the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, for which he has received six Primetime Emmy Awards, in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.  


Terry Gross of NPR did a very enlightening interview this week that discussed "RuPaul's Recipe For Success. Love Yourself And Stay Flexible!"  Such good advice. 

I personally am not a big fan of DRAG as entertainment, although my first outing/escapes were to clubs featuring drag. There I did find an accepting venue that was both welcoming and enlightening. Rupal's major accomplishment is the elevation of drag from seedy clubs to mainstream entertainment. His comment during the interview:


But also, I knew that, commercially, as someone who's paying attention, that if  I wanted to make it [drag] mainstream, I would have to be non-threatening to Betty and Joe Beer Can. And what I did was I came up with a recipe, which was one-part Cher, two-parts David Bowie, one-part Diana Ross and two heaping spoonfuls of Dolly Parton.
It worked! And that we can respect.  



______________



RuPaul is known for not taking gender seriously, and for transgender performers, his comments have been problematic. After an inappropriate tweet he did reel his words all the way back - “I understand and regret the hurt I have caused,” he wrote. “The trans community are heroes of our shared LGBTQ movement."  Apology accepted.


Rupaul