Arts & Entertainment
Mamma Mia
Trans star of OWN reality show enjoying spotlight
Mia Ryan, one of the stars of ‘Houston Beauty.’ (Photo by Somer Turley, courtesy the P.R. Mentality)
Mia Ryan is one of the main characters on “Houston Beauty,” a reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
It’s set in the Houston-based Franklin Beauty School where owner Glenda “Ms. J” Jemison runs a tight ship. Mia, a native Texan who’s transgender and left a life of escorting, is one of the students working on a cosmetology license. The show debuted in late October and runs through Dec. 14. It airs on Saturday nights at 8 and 10 p.m. We caught up with Mia by phone a few weeks ago to talk about her experience on the show, which filmed in 2012.
She’s still in Houston but is taking a break from Franklin to care for an elderly relative. She says she’s “about halfway” through the process of earning her certification, which takes about nine months if one goes full time. She’s 18 now and started transitioning when she was 15.
Billed in her media kit as only the third trans woman to have a recurring storyline on a major network TV show, Mia says she didn’t seek out the opportunity. She simply learned a reality show was planned at the school at the time she happened to be enrolled there.
“I went to Franklin in an attempt to better my life and career and the show was just there,” she says. “I was kind of standoffish at first. I didn’t feel my life was something to be proud of with the things I was doing so it took me awhile to open up.”
She says the feedback so far has been highly positive.
“I opened up and allowed my life to be an open book to America,” she says. “Everyone has been really proud of me and I hope I can possibly inspire someone else.”
Anybody who’s seen the show knows the exchanges have wrought plenty of drama, necessary to sustain any reality show. Her exchanges with Ms. J — who has insisted on referring to her at times by the boy name she grew up with — have fueled some of the more heated moments.
“She is a good person but she has some growing up to do,” Mia says of the instructor. “She’s from the older generation and is just not too fond of alternative lifestyles.”
Mia says Ms. J did come around to some degree during the shooting, but says there were still tough moments.
“She had never experienced a Mia Ryan before,” she says. “I don’t know if it was because I was transgender or what. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why she treated me differently. Maybe she sensed more expectation in me and so she felt she needed to be harder on me, I don’t know.”
Mia says contrary to assumptions about reality TV, the situations and tensions seen on the show were not rigged.
“I think any viewer who watches these shows knows these things can’t really be faked,” she says. “Those were actual things that were occurring at the time. It was real and in some ways, it was a lot worse than what you actually see on the show. They had to do a lot of cutting and editing to get it down to an episode, so there was a lot more than what they used.”
Mia says the outspoken Queensley is the only person on the show she’s still in touch with regularly. She plans to continue at Franklin when she is able.
“Of course I never thought something like this would happen,” she says. I’d seen transgender people like Laverne Cox (of ‘Orange is the New Black’) and Isis King (of ‘America’s Next Top Model’) and I’ve been truly inspired by those women as well. I always wanted to do something inspiring to help people. I just didn’t think it would unfold like this.”
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
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