Arts & Entertainment
Local queens on Facebook name flap
Site’s new policy a hardship for some
From left, Birdie LaCage, Heidi Glum and BaNaka (Washington Blade photo of LaCage by Blake Bergen; Blade photos of Glum and Ba’Naka by Michael Key)
Despite meeting with drag queens in San Francisco last week, Facebook is still declining to change its policy of requiring people use their real names on the site. The company has been deleting accounts with fake names after investigating user complaints, as many news agencies have reported.
Although having or starting fan pages is a viable alternative, many queens who have long-established profiles under their drag names and fans accustomed to getting performance information that way, the sudden enforcement is a hardship, some say.
Opinions vary among local queens.
“This witch hunt for drag queens is really ridiculous,” says Dustin Michael Schaad, who performs full-time as Ba’Naka, a multiple winner of Blade Best of Gay D.C. awards and a Town headliner. “There are much bigger fish to fry. Why are they not looking into some of the bullying reports they’ve had and targeting those accounts? I don’t get the need to target drag queens specifically.”
Miles DeNiro, also a former Blade winner as Heidi Glum, says the policy has more serious ramifications for others and says it’s not a big deal for drag queens.
“I don’t live full time as Heidi,” he says. “I’ve always done mine with my name, then Heidi in parenthesis. … I’ve been getting work out of state, other places. I actually feel more sorry for my trans people but for a drag queen, it’s preposterous. I have my own fan page and Miles is my Facebook profile so I just tag my fan page and cross promote that way and it’s never been a problem.”
Collin Ranney, who performs locally as Birdie LaCage, has heard that argument but doesn’t buy it.
“My question is why should I have to (create a fan page instead of a profile)?,” he says. “It’s a different type of interaction. If I’m allowed to portray myself the way I want within the real wordl, why can’t in the cyber world. I don’t see Instagram or Twitter or Tumblr or even Grindr for that matter forcing me to do so,” he wrote in an e-mail. “This new policy does not only affect drag queens, it affects DJs, entertainers, some celebrities and anyone else who prefers to keep their personal life and their public life separate.”
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
