Dazzling and delightful, with a strong, fierce current of whipsmart feminism driving it forward. This moved me on a personal level —there are so many parallels in my own history, including being a part of this San Francisco drag scene. This is a reverent tribute to the irreverent queer rebels who trampled gender norms and wore trauma and taboos (and other T-words) like red carpet couture in the wake of the devastating AIDS crisis in San Francisco.
Monique is clearly a deeply informed and articulate feminist, and has preserved the language and cultural context of the queer community of the 90's and early 'oughts with awareness and respect to social progress. In other words, there may be some language or humor some folx may find distasteful. Hey, you're going backstage and into the private boudoir of a celebrated drag queen (faux real)—fasten your seatbelt! Hope you enjoy the ride!
This book feels like sitting at the kitchen table with a wise beloved elder. Maybe that's because it is a direct transcription from recordings made in Miss Beatrice's home! Her joyful and powerful wisdom is preserved here for those of us who were not honored to know her in her life. Inspiring and informative and precious.