Best Newcomer: Gennifer withAG
Honoring those that entertain and uplift us in the LGBTQ community know how important our drag performers have been to our community through the years — raising money for those in need, raising awareness of our issues and just plain keeping us entertained. We know how important they still are. And we know that the last 12-plus months have been a trying time for drag.
As one of the latest targets for the homophobic and transphobic right wing, drag performers have seen themselves labeled as pedophiles, groomers and more by hypocritical zealots intent on destroying them and our community as a whole, while right-wing lawmakers around the country have been doing their best to make what these entertainers do illegal.
None of these attacks are based on any actual, factual evidence, just on hate and bigotry and the right-wing’s need to control and oppress anyone not like them.
Because of those attacks, and our drag performers’ courage in carrying on despite it all, we here at Dallas Voice, as we prepared for our 19th annual Readers Voice Awards, decided we wanted to do more to recognize our local drag entertainers. Yes, we have recognized the best of the best in drag in past years, but this year we have chosen to elevate that recognition, creating a new category devoted to all things drag and labeling these winners as the diamonds in our bejeweled RVA crown.
— Tammye Nash
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Best Newcomer: Gennifer withaG
When did Gennifer start doing drag and why? As a theater kid, I’ve always had a love for being on stage. This expanded into a love of makeup and costumes. I made my initial debut into drag almost 10 years ago during a college drag night. Then I spent the last few years focused on moving to Dallas and building my career. Two years ago, Analee Pleasured, a friend and now drag sister, Gaybingo invited me to volunteer for Gaybingo with the Resource Center. So I pulled out an old wig and dress and Gennifer WithaG was born. Gaybingo has given me a place to evolve and play with my drag, all while volunteering and supporting the community. I get to dress up like a glamorous bearded queen, raise money for the community, and entertain people. It’s the dream.
Where can people see you perform? I am a host for the Resource Center’s Gaybingo, so come see me the third Saturday of every month (except December) at the Rose room. MyResourceCenter.org has the full event calendar, event themes and donation information. You can also find me at various different events throughout the gayborhood. Check out my Instagram — @gennifer_withag — for my performances or to book me for events.
What is your drag philosophy? Be a kindness queen! Being thoughtful of fellow performers, show staff and the audience makes our world better. Be on time (Who has ever heard of an on time drag queen?!), always say please and thank you, have fun and make a difference. We as drag entertainers have such a unique position in the queer community to create escapism fantasy for our audience and to also amplify queer voices in our society. I truly think we have a responsibility to lift each other up. Drag just happens to be a really fun way to do that!
— Tammye Nash
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Best Drag QUEEN
BLEACH
Instagram.com/BleachPleasee
Best Drag King
Buck Wylde
Instagram.com/BuckWylde_DragKing
Best Emcee
Cassie Nova
Instagram.com/CassieNovaRocks
Best Newcomer
Gennifer WithaG
Instagram.com/Gennifer_WithaG
Best Drag Brunch
Hamburger Mary’s Dallas
4123 Cedar Springs Road, #100, Dallas
214-377-7446
HamburgerMarys.com/Dallas
Best Drag Pageant
Miss Gay USofA
USofA.org/Miss-Gay-USofA
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Best Drag KING: Buck Wylde
When did Buck Wylde starting doing drag? The first time I performed in was at a friend’s wedding in 2011 when the reception band surprised her by having me make a guest appearance in drag to live sing “Jungle Love” by The Time, and I did a bit of Morris Day-inspired drag. In retrospect, it was not good drag — LOL — but all drag starts somewhere. And it felt good, so it kind of gave me a taste of what performing as a drag king felt like. So in 2012, when someone from the roller derby team I was playing for said they had seen Mustache Envy at Sue Ellen’s and proposed doing a fundraiser with them, I jumped at the chance. I swept my hair up into a pompadour, drew on a John Waters Mustache, performed a duet with “Randy Bottoms” to a rockabilly number — and Buck Wylde was born.
A show producer happened to be at Sue Ellen’s for the fundraiser and messaged me asking if I wanted to come perform at a little show they were just starting up called “Tuesday Tease,” and I have been doing drag ever since.
Where can people see you perform? See my Instgram Page, @buckwylde_dragking, for my performance schedule.
What is your drag philosophy? I think drag is more important now than ever in Texas where lawmakers are actively trying to strip us our freedoms — bodily autonomy, gender identity and expression, trans rights — and banning diversity and inclusion programs in Texas universities. And I want people to understand that drag is not just what you see on RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s not just queens.
There is an entire community of drag kings, self-described “drag things” and nonbinary beings who are just as fierce, who deserve to be seen and who deserve representation in community shows. So I would like to encourage producers to normalize booking more kings, things and enby beings in their shows!
— Tammye Nash
