By Jerome Stuart Nichols
Michigan Pride Entertainment Schedule
2:30-3:30 p.m. Drag Show with Host Delicios
3:45-4:30 p.m. Kate Peterson of Nervous but Excited
4:30-5:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles Band
5:45-6 p.m. Volunteer of the Year Award/Announcements
6-6:45 p.m. Mimi Gonzalez (co-Host/comedian)
6:45-7 p.m. Special guest opening for Trinity K.Bonet
7-7:45 p.m. Trinity K. Bonet
8-10:45 p.m. Dance party with the DJ
For more info on Michigan Pride, visit http://michiganpride.org
Of all the queens to grace the "RuPaul's Drag Race" stage, few have been as polished, poised and drop dead gorgeous as season six contestant Trinity K. Bonet. That might explain why, despite failing to snatch the crown, it took a miracle and several virgin Louboutin sacrifices to pin her down for an interview.
While she may be constantly on the run, Bonet is always one to make herself available for a roaring Pride crowd. She'll be available for adoration and generous tipping when she performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 during Michigan Pride in Lansing's Old Town.
The only actual talk time I had with her was just as she boarded a flight out of Atlanta, after being delayed to her gate by some rabid fans. Some bossy flight attendants and janky cell reception cut the conversation short, but still, Ms. Bonet worked that call like a "Drag Race" competition.
During her time on the show, Trinity proved to be one of the most endearing contestants yet. From her modern, elegant style to her shy-as-a-roaring-lion personality, she became an early underdog favorite.
The second queen in "Drag Race" history to come as out as HIV positive, she'd also become a spokesperson for the HIV/AIDS community.
Since the end of season six, Bonet has continued to combat HIV stigma.
"I have a really close fan base of followers who believe in me and my journey dealing with HIV," she says. "I also have a lot of people who I counsel. They are dealing with this just like I am, and that makes us family. On my Facebook page, I have an address book of all the people who have contacted me. Every now and again, I speak to them to make sure they're OK. I can't save the world just yet, but I can help a few."
And it starts with visibility – if you've got it, flaunt it.
"I owe it to anybody I come in contact with to be honest and open," she says. "I chose to be visible, because if people don't see for their own eyes that it's OK then they will never know what OK looks like."
Like any good drag queen these days, and outside her self-imposed HIV educator role, she's keeping busy with performances all over the globe, an upcoming web series and a debut single due out later this year. She's also set to open The Paint Factory in Atlanta in April 2015 (she describes it as simply "a spot for women to come get dolled up.")
When it comes to getting herself glammed, she lives for every moment – especially the ones on stage. Considering she's been booking shows all over the world, she's taking full advantage of her queen status, even if she wasn't the crowned victor. Criticized for her oft-muted performance on "Drag Race," she's moved on – because could you imagine what that could do to her expertly applied contouring?
"I don't like to go into ('Drag Race') much 'cause it was a obstacle in my life I got through," Bonet says, "but no bad love. It made me who I am today."
And who she'll be the day she takes the Michigan Pride stage. For her performance, Bonet promises "a great show."
"I haven't really thought about what I will do," she says, "but I don't leave anything less then a great impression."
