Advertisement

Parting Glances: DQ4J Gatorade (Pt. 3)

GATORADE, Ariz.: I'm a skeptic concerning things supernatural; but the wonder-working weekend I spend reporting on the Drag Queens for Jesus confab is, well, miraculous – awe inspiring.
It's also ecumenical, as the three-day drama-queen pageant coincides with the 33rd anniversary departure to Greater Graceland in the Sky of Elvis Presley, king of kings (as in rock & roll, sideburns, sunglasses, pelvic-articulated gyrations and exit-cue peristalsis go).
With 100 drag queens, two-dozen Elvis look-alikes, a DQ4J Passion Play non-Equity cast of Jesus, Mary, Pontius Pilate, John the Baptist, Salome, 'Madonna', Judy Garland, Mae West, Pope Joan Rivers, assorted flagellants and semi-naked line-dance slaves, gathered, Gatorade (pop. 832) is transformed into Vatican City Meets Mel Gibson's S/M – sandals and mascara – Hollywood West at High Noon.
As usual, Rainbow flight attendant Chance Ankleman's posing early at poolside our last day, and, after giving me his trademark wink, flexing his biceps, tricepts, abs, glutes, suggests I join him for lunch at the town's No Spic, No Spam (Show You Green Card) Cafe.
"Two years ago I bought one of your hypnotic pictures," begins Chance, looking me reasonably straight in the eye, "And discovered your hidden 'for a good time call the artist' message and phone number. I called several times, but never got an answer. Frankly, I was disappointed. Do I get some sort of discount?"
(I must say Chance looks splendid in rainbow-colored Speedo with hidden uplift testicular support, and much more physically articulate than I do in my Passion Play, sequin-stitched, sag-crotch, WWJD-embroidered loin cloth.)
"I'm sorry, Chance, but I quickly grew out of my blue period. Now that I've gone exclusively sexting, my subliminal art messages have changed. An artist has to keep pace with his audience. Tell you what, Chance. I'll pop you for lunch."
It's reassuring to find proven once more – thousands of miles from home – and in a small hamlet like Gatorade – that the profession of choice among goodlooking gay men is waiter. "Goodness, what abs," ours greets us. "Goodness had nothing to do with it," replies Chance, off on another bout of winking.
Over our meal of tacos, chili, tortillas, we earful big-time gossip making the Gatorade rounds. "You may be out-of-towners," says Hunkers Jones, our waiter, "but three weeks ago, Rev. Dowler P. Sparks had lotsa explaining to do. He was caught by a Greyhound bus attendant baptizing a wetback in a stall in the men's room.
"Things quieted down a bit 'til the ACLU got involved. Rev. Sparks says he's got a right to baptize anybody he wants, anywhere he wants, as the spirit leads. Immigration should mind its own business, he says. Baptism's a matter of separation of church and State. I paid my 25 cents to use that damned stall …"
DQ4J THE CLIMAX: "I'm on stage at the Los Alamos A-Bomb Memorial Theater. The auditorium's packed. Not a vacant seat. The mayor's here. Rev. Sparks, front-row center, with what appears to be a recently baptized wetback. (Unfortunately, still wet behind his ears.)
"The gilded curtain rises. The overture to 'Jesus Christ Superstar' blares into high-kick tempo, and 100 Draq Queens for Jesus take center stage, blowing kisses everywhere, making signs of the cross, genuflecting – one by one joining a gigantic line dance of sheer mind-blowing jubilation. (You know how drag queens can mind blow. Or jubilate.)
Miracle of miracles, the audience rises and applauds wildly. One or two begin to speak in tongues. (Or, maybe Spanish.) Suddenly, out of nowhere a banner waves, "Have a blessed day. Get in drag for heaven's sake!" Everybody hugs.
I look adoringly at Chance. He winks lovingly at me. I wink back at him. He winks back at me. Life is good, even if it's occasionally a drag.

Advertisement
Topics: Opinions
Advertisement

From the Pride Source Marketplace

Go to the Marketplace
Directory default
Judgment-free, patient-centered vision care. We treat each vision patient with top-quality,…
Learn More
Directory default
Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce MemberWe are a full-service communications agency with…
Learn More
Directory default
Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce MemberAFFIRMATIVE DEPTH PSYCHOTHERAPY for LGBTQ+ folx IN…
Learn More
Directory default
High energy live music for weddings & corporate events. Playing all your favorite songs.
Learn More
Advertisement