Tommy Price A.K.A. Her Most Imperial Sovereign Majesty Empress VII Athena KS Couture Moore (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Tommy Price has a heck of a drag name and title — Her Most Imperial Sovereign Majesty Empress VII Athena KS Couture Moore.
A founding board president of the Imperial Court of Washington eight years ago, he’s been active in the charitable/social organization ever since. As Athena, he’ll be hosting and emceeing Monday night at the Court’s New Years Eve Variety Show from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Barking Dog (4723 Elm St., Bethesda, Md.). Admission is $80 with food and open bar all night. A portion of the proceeds will go to court charities such as the Shriners Kids Travel Fund, Chesapeake and Potomac Softball Association and The True Colors Fund. Current Emperor Trace Couture Kennedy-Smith will co-host.
All are welcome. Visit imperialcourtdc.org for details.
Price got into drag playing with his sister’s prom dresses 21 years ago and performs at Freddie’s monthly and occasionally at Green Lantern and Cobalt. He also works with the Screaming Queens of New York impersonating Jackie O and Marilyn Monroe.
“My goal for 2019 is to raise $100,000 for charities and increase our membership by showing our community how inclusive the Imperial Court truly is,” Price, a 38-year-old Missoula, Mont., native, says.
Price, who works by day in retail management, came to Washington 11 years ago with husband Dana Price for work. They’ve been together 21 years and live in Fairfax.
Price enjoys travel, art, sleeping and painting in his free time.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I came out when I was 17. My Dad was the hardest person to tell it took him five years for us to have a relationship and for him to accept me and Dana.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
Harvey Milk
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
The D.C. Eagle
Describe your dream wedding.
Our wedding was my dream wedding in West Yellowstone, Montana. It was very intimate with 35 of our closest friends and family. Our colors were royal blue and teal and my grandmother walked me down the aisle.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
Adult literacy
What historical outcome would you change?
9-11 would not have happened.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
The Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met.
On what do you insist?
We’re all a part of the human race and we as humanity need to stop with the labels.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
A post about positive changes for drag queens.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“The Drag Adventures of an Empress”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
I would tell people to not change. There is absolutely wrong nothing wrong with who you are.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
I believe in Jesus, and with that I believe that the view of God is like looking at a diamond. We will all see something different and we need to respect all views.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Get more involved with young people and get them exited to be involved. They need to stay curious and ever changing to stay relevant.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
Christion Dior couture
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
All of them. We need to stop the stereotypes.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“To Wong Foo”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Going to work.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
That’s a hard one. I have worked extremely hard for two titles that I am most proud of: my Miss Gay Arlington crown and my current title as Empress VII of the Imperial Court of Washington. They both represent who I am and what I’ve had to endure to attain them.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
How to save money and invest.
Why Washington?
This is my home and when my friends and family come to visit, I love playing tour guide. This city has so much history. I also find it very easy to make friends here and this is truly my home.
