WEBVTT

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<v speaker_0>Go ahead and get

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<v speaker_0>started. Do you

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<v speaker_0>feel comfortable and ready?

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<v speaker_0>

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<v speaker_1>Yes.

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<v speaker_0>Okay, awesome. If you

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<v speaker_0>would start with

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<v speaker_0>your name.

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<v speaker_1>Hello, my name is

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<v speaker_1>Britney Ramirez.

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<v speaker_0>And if you would

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<v speaker_0>tell me a

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<v speaker_0>little bit about, um,

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<v speaker_0>where it is

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<v speaker_0>that you're from.

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<v speaker_1>I'm originally from Robstown,

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<v speaker_1>Texas, a small

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<v speaker_1>town south of Corpus

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<v speaker_1>Christi. Um, born

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<v speaker_1>and raised there, loved

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<v speaker_1>it. Uh, my

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<v speaker_1>family's still there. Go

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<v speaker_1>back and see

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<v speaker_1>them whenever I can.

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<v speaker_1>

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<v speaker_0>And is that where

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<v speaker_0>you came out

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<v speaker_0>and like went through

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<v speaker_0>and some understanding

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<v speaker_0>of who it is

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<v speaker_0>that you are?

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<v speaker_1>I pretty much came

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<v speaker_1>out directly from

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<v speaker_1>the womb. I've always

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<v speaker_1>had expressed myself

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<v speaker_1>as an entertainer even

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<v speaker_1>growing up. I

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<v speaker_1>did have lots of

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<v speaker_1>family support, and

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<v speaker_1>I was also very

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<v speaker_1>active in school,

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<v speaker_1>and I actually came

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<v speaker_1>out into the

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<v speaker_1>LGBC- LGBT scene

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<v speaker_1>as a 15-year-old, so

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<v speaker_1>I've kind of

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<v speaker_1>been around for a

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<v speaker_1>while. [laughs]

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<v speaker_0>So thinking a bit

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<v speaker_0>about saying the

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<v speaker_0>LGBT scene is what

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<v speaker_0>was it like

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<v speaker_0>at that time?

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<v speaker_1>Oh my God, it

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<v speaker_1>was amazing. Uh,

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<v speaker_1>when I came out,

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<v speaker_1>of course I

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<v speaker_1>wasn't able to get

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<v speaker_1>into the club,

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<v speaker_1>so I would ride

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<v speaker_1>with my friends

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<v speaker_1>that were older, and

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<v speaker_1>I would hang

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<v speaker_1>out at the sea

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<v speaker_1>wall while they

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<v speaker_1>would go out. And

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<v speaker_1>back then, as

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<v speaker_1>odd as this may

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<v speaker_1>sound, there was

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<v speaker_1>a lot of people

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<v speaker_1>that would hang

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<v speaker_1>out there, and we

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<v speaker_1>would listen to

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<v speaker_1>music and dance and

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<v speaker_1>choreograph routines and

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<v speaker_1>just kind of talked

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<v speaker_1>about being from

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<v speaker_1>little towns. You would

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<v speaker_1>see people from

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<v speaker_1>Sinton, from Taft,

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<v speaker_1>from Odem, from Kingsville,

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<v speaker_1>and we all

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<v speaker_1>weren't old enough to

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<v speaker_1>go in, but

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<v speaker_1>we definitely had our

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<v speaker_1>older friends that

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<v speaker_1>would bring us and

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<v speaker_1>kind of were

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<v speaker_1>teaching us the ways

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<v speaker_1>of the scene.

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<v speaker_1>But, uh, what we

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<v speaker_1>did see from

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<v speaker_1>the pictures and the

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<v speaker_1>flyers and everything

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<v speaker_1>they talked about, we

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<v speaker_1>were like mesmerized

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<v speaker_1>because they had like

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<v speaker_1>gay rodeos. They

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<v speaker_1>had, uh, I mean,

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<v speaker_1>contest. I mean,

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<v speaker_1>the queens were amazing.

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<v speaker_1>I, I had

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<v speaker_1>never really seen a

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<v speaker_1>queen till I

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<v speaker_1>was old enough to

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<v speaker_1>go into the

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<v speaker_1>bar, and once I

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<v speaker_1>did that, I

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<v speaker_1>was like, "Okay, this

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<v speaker_1>is what I'm

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<v speaker_1>meant to do. This

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<v speaker_1>is what I'm

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<v speaker_1>going to do for

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<v speaker_1>the rest of

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<v speaker_1>my life."

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<v speaker_0>How would you say

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<v speaker_0>the scene compares

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<v speaker_0>now to then?

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<v speaker_1>Ooh. Good

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<v speaker_1>question. I mean, well,

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<v speaker_1>because I was

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<v speaker_1>looking at it from

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<v speaker_1>a sixteen-year-old point

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<v speaker_1>of view, so o-of

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<v speaker_1>course it was

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<v speaker_1>larger than life. But

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<v speaker_1>there was so

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<v speaker_1>much unity. Even though

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<v speaker_1>there wasn't technology

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<v speaker_1>as there is now

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<v speaker_1>for you to

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<v speaker_1>showcase your successes or

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<v speaker_1>even events, for

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<v speaker_1>some reason we all

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<v speaker_1>knew. You know,

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<v speaker_1>we had this network

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<v speaker_1>of everything that

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<v speaker_1>was going on in

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<v speaker_1>smaller cities, in

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<v speaker_1>smaller towns, and these

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<v speaker_1>communities would work

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<v speaker_1>together. The pageants had

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<v speaker_1>twelve or thirteen

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<v speaker_1>contestants. You know, we

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<v speaker_1>had a, uh,

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<v speaker_1>gay rodeo here. We

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<v speaker_1>had a, uh,

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<v speaker_1>Silver Dolphins Leather Club.

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<v speaker_1>We had, uh,

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<v speaker_1>soccer-- not soccer, um,

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<v speaker_1>volleyball tournaments,

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<v speaker_1>uh, gay days

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<v speaker_1>at the beach. It

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<v speaker_1>just seemed very

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<v speaker_1>unified. And not that

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<v speaker_1>it is not

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<v speaker_1>unified now, but I

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<v speaker_1>just think that

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<v speaker_1>now there's just so

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<v speaker_1>much variety in

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<v speaker_1>everything that not everybody

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<v speaker_1>works together. I

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<v speaker_1>think back then we

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<v speaker_1>had no choice

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<v speaker_1>but to work together.

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<v speaker_1>You know, so

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<v speaker_1>we were... It, it

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<v speaker_1>seemed a lot

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<v speaker_1>more stronger.

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<v speaker_1>I, I don't

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<v speaker_1>know if that makes

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<v speaker_1>sense, but I

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<v speaker_1>guess for a sixteen-year-old,

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<v speaker_1>it just seemed

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<v speaker_1>like, wow, there's a

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<v speaker_1>community out there

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<v speaker_1>that I had no

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<v speaker_1>idea existed. Even

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<v speaker_1>though I was only

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<v speaker_1>sixteen miles away,

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<v speaker_1>it might as well

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<v speaker_1>have been sixteen

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<v speaker_1>hundred miles.

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<v speaker_0>So when you were

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<v speaker_0>sixteen, who were

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<v speaker_0>some of the, like,

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<v speaker_0>public figures in

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<v speaker_0>the community back then?

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<v speaker_0>

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<v speaker_1>Well, fun fact, I

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<v speaker_1>always liked to

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<v speaker_1>dance, so when I

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<v speaker_1>first came out

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<v speaker_1>into the scene, my

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<v speaker_1>first job was

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<v speaker_1>dancing backup for the

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<v speaker_1>local queens. So

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<v speaker_1>I would choreograph talents,

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<v speaker_1>and that's how

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<v speaker_1>I kinda got into

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<v speaker_1>sneaking into the

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<v speaker_1>bars 'cause I was

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<v speaker_1>dancing backup. Even

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<v speaker_1>though I would dance

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<v speaker_1>backup and then

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<v speaker_1>have to leave, it

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<v speaker_1>was still an

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<v speaker_1>opportunity to be seen.

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<v speaker_1>Um, Victoria West,

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<v speaker_1>loved her. Ashley Everett,

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<v speaker_1>she was from

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<v speaker_1>my hometown. Um,

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<v speaker_1>Angel, Oprah

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<v speaker_1>Demaro. I got to

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<v speaker_1>work with a

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<v speaker_1>lot of amazing entertainers,

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<v speaker_1>uh, two of

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<v speaker_1>which went on to

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<v speaker_1>become Miss Gay

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<v speaker_1>Texas, so that was

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<v speaker_1>pretty awesome. Back

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<v speaker_1>then, that was like

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<v speaker_1>the mecca, and

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<v speaker_1>Texas has always been

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<v speaker_1>known for their

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<v speaker_1>larger than life performers.

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<v speaker_1>So-- And Corpus

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<v speaker_1>too at the time

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<v speaker_1>was kind of

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<v speaker_1>known for its amazing

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<v speaker_1>performers because there

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<v speaker_1>was so much talent

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<v speaker_1>here and lots

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<v speaker_1>of contests, lots of

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<v speaker_1>events. It was

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<v speaker_1>a mecca of entertainment.

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<v speaker_1>And this is,

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<v speaker_1>God, '89, '90,

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<v speaker_1>'91. So different

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<v speaker_1>times, amazing, and we

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<v speaker_1>were just coming

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<v speaker_1>off of kind

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<v speaker_1>of getting the AIDS

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<v speaker_1>epidemic under control.

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<v speaker_1>Like the sense of

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<v speaker_1>panic was gone

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<v speaker_1>for the time being,

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<v speaker_1>and we were

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<v speaker_1>working more on showcasing

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<v speaker_1>talent, showcasing individuals,

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<v speaker_1>showcasing organizations. It was

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<v speaker_1>pretty amazing. I

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<v speaker_1>w- I've been very

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<v speaker_1>lucky and to,

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<v speaker_1>you know, to be

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<v speaker_1>fifty-three years old

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<v speaker_1>a-and still be relevant,

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<v speaker_1>still be out

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<v speaker_1>here, still be performing

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<v speaker_1>is amazing. I'm,

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<v speaker_1>I'm so lucky. I

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<v speaker_1>say that all

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<v speaker_1>the time.

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<v speaker_0>Thinking a bit about

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<v speaker_0>venues as well-

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<v speaker_1>Mm-hmm

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<v speaker_0>...that really hosted, I

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<v speaker_0>think, our community's

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<v speaker_0>culture, um, what

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<v speaker_0>was the options then?

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<v speaker_0>'Cause today it's

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<v speaker_0>The Hidden Door.

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<v speaker_1>Oh my God, there

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<v speaker_1>was, um, lots--

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<v speaker_1>And you know, the

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<v speaker_1>crazy thing is

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<v speaker_1>there was lots of

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<v speaker_1>lesbian bars. Um,

00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:23.340
<v speaker_1>so there was,

00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:25.300
<v speaker_1>um, when I came

00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:26.200
<v speaker_1>out, there was

00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:27.300
<v speaker_1>a place called The

00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.900
<v speaker_1>Top Hat, which

00:05:28.900 --> 00:05:29.820
<v speaker_1>was kind of like

00:05:29.820 --> 00:05:32.000
<v speaker_1>a premier, uh,

00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:33.340
<v speaker_1>piano bar. It was

00:05:33.340 --> 00:05:34.620
<v speaker_1>pretty awesome. Now,

00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:35.280
<v speaker_1>of course, I would

00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:36.080
<v speaker_1>just kinda go

00:05:36.080 --> 00:05:37.080
<v speaker_1>in just to see

00:05:37.080 --> 00:05:38.480
<v speaker_1>like rehearsals or

00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:39.290
<v speaker_1>to dance for people,

00:05:39.290 --> 00:05:39.760
<v speaker_1>so I really

00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:40.940
<v speaker_1>didn't experience it, but

00:05:40.940 --> 00:05:41.580
<v speaker_1>I just remember

00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:43.660
<v speaker_1>it seeming amazing.

00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:45.120
<v speaker_1>Uh, then there

00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.060
<v speaker_1>was, uh, The Parallel,

00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:48.840
<v speaker_1>which later became

00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:50.840
<v speaker_1>Connect. The Parallel was

00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:51.680
<v speaker_1>pretty cool. Of

00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:52.520
<v speaker_1>course, The Hidden Door,

00:05:52.520 --> 00:05:54.872
<v speaker_1>The Other Door.Um,

00:05:54.872 --> 00:05:56.192
<v speaker_1>there was about

00:05:56.192 --> 00:05:57.212
<v speaker_1>six to eight bars,

00:05:57.212 --> 00:05:58.852
<v speaker_1>but constantly opening,

00:05:58.852 --> 00:05:59.852
<v speaker_1>you know? There was

00:05:59.852 --> 00:06:01.072
<v speaker_1>always something going

00:06:01.072 --> 00:06:02.291
<v speaker_1>on. There was no

00:06:02.291 --> 00:06:04.352
<v speaker_1>lack of representation

00:06:04.352 --> 00:06:05.212
<v speaker_1>with the bar scene,

00:06:05.212 --> 00:06:07.412
<v speaker_1>for sure. And

00:06:07.412 --> 00:06:08.572
<v speaker_1>back then, The Hidden

00:06:08.572 --> 00:06:10.332
<v speaker_1>Door didn't allow

00:06:10.332 --> 00:06:11.572
<v speaker_1>queens in there. It

00:06:11.572 --> 00:06:12.232
<v speaker_1>was more... And

00:06:12.232 --> 00:06:12.832
<v speaker_1>if you did, it

00:06:12.832 --> 00:06:13.432
<v speaker_1>was more the

00:06:13.432 --> 00:06:15.262
<v speaker_1>campy queens, like charity

00:06:15.262 --> 00:06:16.332
<v speaker_1>queens or queens

00:06:16.332 --> 00:06:17.282
<v speaker_1>that were raising money,

00:06:17.282 --> 00:06:18.252
<v speaker_1>so they didn't

00:06:18.252 --> 00:06:19.452
<v speaker_1>really take it serious

00:06:19.452 --> 00:06:20.152
<v speaker_1>even though their

00:06:20.152 --> 00:06:21.612
<v speaker_1>work was amazing. They

00:06:21.612 --> 00:06:22.232
<v speaker_1>were doing it

00:06:22.232 --> 00:06:23.512
<v speaker_1>more to raise money

00:06:23.512 --> 00:06:24.232
<v speaker_1>and awareness for

00:06:24.232 --> 00:06:26.172
<v speaker_1>their charities. It wasn't

00:06:26.172 --> 00:06:27.432
<v speaker_1>till

00:06:28.472 --> 00:06:30.952
<v speaker_1>2007 or

00:06:30.952 --> 00:06:32.452
<v speaker_1>2006 that they

00:06:32.452 --> 00:06:34.292
<v speaker_1>actually started having

00:06:34.292 --> 00:06:35.632
<v speaker_1>shows at The Hidden

00:06:35.632 --> 00:06:36.192
<v speaker_1>Door, and it

00:06:36.192 --> 00:06:36.832
<v speaker_1>became more of a

00:06:36.832 --> 00:06:37.952
<v speaker_1>show bar. And

00:06:37.952 --> 00:06:38.472
<v speaker_1>I was there for

00:06:38.472 --> 00:06:40.192
<v speaker_1>22 years, believe

00:06:40.192 --> 00:06:40.652
<v speaker_1>it or not, and

00:06:40.652 --> 00:06:41.252
<v speaker_1>I loved it.

00:06:41.252 --> 00:06:42.512
<v speaker_1>I mean, Jim Brown

00:06:42.512 --> 00:06:43.592
<v speaker_1>was instrumental in

00:06:43.592 --> 00:06:44.672
<v speaker_1>my growth. He was

00:06:44.672 --> 00:06:45.941
<v speaker_1>instrumental in everything

00:06:45.941 --> 00:06:46.972
<v speaker_1>that I did and

00:06:46.972 --> 00:06:47.392
<v speaker_1>a lot of

00:06:47.392 --> 00:06:47.952
<v speaker_1>what we did as

00:06:47.952 --> 00:06:49.552
<v speaker_1>a community. Um,

00:06:49.552 --> 00:06:50.222
<v speaker_1>he is no longer

00:06:50.222 --> 00:06:51.012
<v speaker_1>with us, and

00:06:51.012 --> 00:06:52.192
<v speaker_1>now it is under

00:06:52.192 --> 00:06:53.252
<v speaker_1>new management with,

00:06:53.252 --> 00:06:55.612
<v speaker_1>um, Bill Williams. And,

00:06:55.612 --> 00:06:57.052
<v speaker_1>uh, Bill, uh,

00:06:57.052 --> 00:06:57.692
<v speaker_1>we call him Daddy

00:06:57.692 --> 00:06:59.152
<v speaker_1>Bill. And they're

00:06:59.152 --> 00:07:00.112
<v speaker_1>doing some amazing work,

00:07:00.112 --> 00:07:00.752
<v speaker_1>too. You know,

00:07:00.752 --> 00:07:02.082
<v speaker_1>they make sure that

00:07:02.082 --> 00:07:03.652
<v speaker_1>Texas Riviera Empire,

00:07:03.652 --> 00:07:05.402
<v speaker_1>Coastal Bend Trans Alliance,

00:07:05.402 --> 00:07:07.032
<v speaker_1>Friends For Causes,

00:07:07.032 --> 00:07:08.102
<v speaker_1>all of these amazing

00:07:08.102 --> 00:07:09.232
<v speaker_1>organizations that are

00:07:09.232 --> 00:07:11.052
<v speaker_1>grass-rooted are getting that

00:07:11.052 --> 00:07:12.032
<v speaker_1>visibility that they

00:07:12.032 --> 00:07:12.542
<v speaker_1>need and have a

00:07:12.542 --> 00:07:13.192
<v speaker_1>place to call

00:07:13.192 --> 00:07:14.632
<v speaker_1>home and do these

00:07:14.632 --> 00:07:15.612
<v speaker_1>charities at, whether

00:07:15.612 --> 00:07:16.552
<v speaker_1>they're barbecues, whether they're

00:07:16.552 --> 00:07:18.192
<v speaker_1>shows, whether they're,

00:07:18.192 --> 00:07:19.962
<v speaker_1>uh, bingos, anything. I

00:07:19.962 --> 00:07:20.851
<v speaker_1>mean, they've always

00:07:20.852 --> 00:07:22.192
<v speaker_1>been supportive. So the

00:07:22.192 --> 00:07:23.052
<v speaker_1>longevity of this

00:07:23.052 --> 00:07:24.542
<v speaker_1>place is amazing. I

00:07:24.542 --> 00:07:25.452
<v speaker_1>think they're celebrating

00:07:25.452 --> 00:07:27.492
<v speaker_1>45 years. Or-

00:07:27.492 --> 00:07:27.872
<v speaker_0>48.

00:07:27.872 --> 00:07:29.612
<v speaker_1>48? Oh, see. [laughs]

00:07:29.612 --> 00:07:29.632
<v speaker_1>

00:07:29.632 --> 00:07:30.272
<v speaker_0>[laughs] Time flies.

00:07:30.272 --> 00:07:30.692
<v speaker_1>I know. [laughs]

00:07:30.692 --> 00:07:31.952
<v speaker_0>Um, so shifting focus

00:07:31.952 --> 00:07:32.632
<v speaker_0>a little bit,

00:07:32.632 --> 00:07:33.992
<v speaker_0>especially as a community

00:07:33.992 --> 00:07:35.072
<v speaker_0>trailblazer for the

00:07:35.072 --> 00:07:37.092
<v speaker_0>trans community, what has

00:07:37.092 --> 00:07:38.172
<v speaker_0>that experience been

00:07:38.172 --> 00:07:38.872
<v speaker_0>like for you? Really,

00:07:38.872 --> 00:07:39.572
<v speaker_0>I think part

00:07:39.572 --> 00:07:41.512
<v speaker_0>of the dis- exploration

00:07:41.512 --> 00:07:42.832
<v speaker_0>of finding that

00:07:42.832 --> 00:07:45.052
<v speaker_0>self, finding your self-identity

00:07:45.052 --> 00:07:46.172
<v speaker_0>through that, and

00:07:46.172 --> 00:07:47.432
<v speaker_0>then at what point

00:07:47.432 --> 00:07:48.292
<v speaker_0>during that journey

00:07:48.292 --> 00:07:49.712
<v speaker_0>did you also identify

00:07:49.712 --> 00:07:51.092
<v speaker_0>that entertainer portion

00:07:51.092 --> 00:07:52.872
<v speaker_0>of yourself, um, as

00:07:52.872 --> 00:07:53.472
<v speaker_0>you grew as

00:07:53.472 --> 00:07:54.632
<v speaker_0>an individual?

00:07:54.692 --> 00:07:55.292
<v speaker_1>Well, I think that

00:07:55.292 --> 00:07:56.332
<v speaker_1>entertaining is what

00:07:56.332 --> 00:07:57.202
<v speaker_1>got me into the

00:07:57.202 --> 00:07:58.592
<v speaker_1>business. I think

00:07:58.592 --> 00:07:59.312
<v speaker_1>what I did is

00:07:59.312 --> 00:07:59.892
<v speaker_1>when I was

00:07:59.892 --> 00:08:01.032
<v speaker_1>dancing backup for these

00:08:01.032 --> 00:08:02.531
<v speaker_1>individuals, I was

00:08:02.532 --> 00:08:04.292
<v speaker_1>also backstage learning how

00:08:04.292 --> 00:08:05.112
<v speaker_1>to do makeup,

00:08:05.112 --> 00:08:05.752
<v speaker_1>learning how to do

00:08:05.752 --> 00:08:07.411
<v speaker_1>hair, learning how

00:08:07.412 --> 00:08:09.032
<v speaker_1>to do the art,

00:08:09.032 --> 00:08:10.132
<v speaker_1>because it is

00:08:10.132 --> 00:08:10.692
<v speaker_1>an art. I mean,

00:08:10.692 --> 00:08:12.052
<v speaker_1>it's an amazing

00:08:12.052 --> 00:08:14.172
<v speaker_1>craft. And, um, I

00:08:14.172 --> 00:08:15.482
<v speaker_1>started performing in

00:08:15.482 --> 00:08:16.812
<v speaker_1>'91. I won my

00:08:16.812 --> 00:08:17.832
<v speaker_1>first contest, which

00:08:17.832 --> 00:08:19.132
<v speaker_1>was South Texas Newcomer.

00:08:19.132 --> 00:08:21.032
<v speaker_1>Uh, loved it,

00:08:21.032 --> 00:08:22.292
<v speaker_1>great opportunity, gave me

00:08:22.292 --> 00:08:24.191
<v speaker_1>lots of visibility.

00:08:24.192 --> 00:08:26.452
<v speaker_1>And then I transitioned

00:08:26.452 --> 00:08:28.812
<v speaker_1>in '93. So

00:08:28.812 --> 00:08:30.332
<v speaker_1>once I transitioned, m-

00:08:30.332 --> 00:08:31.392
<v speaker_1>everything pretty much

00:08:31.392 --> 00:08:32.792
<v speaker_1>shifted, because I kinda

00:08:32.792 --> 00:08:33.312
<v speaker_1>wanted to be

00:08:33.312 --> 00:08:34.132
<v speaker_1>the star. I didn't

00:08:34.132 --> 00:08:35.132
<v speaker_1>necessarily wanna be

00:08:35.132 --> 00:08:36.922
<v speaker_1>dancing for anybody. And

00:08:36.922 --> 00:08:38.012
<v speaker_1>in '94, I

00:08:38.012 --> 00:08:39.432
<v speaker_1>changed my name legally

00:08:39.432 --> 00:08:41.251
<v speaker_1>and started working,

00:08:41.252 --> 00:08:42.612
<v speaker_1>um, outside of the

00:08:42.612 --> 00:08:43.592
<v speaker_1>club scene, started

00:08:43.592 --> 00:08:44.832
<v speaker_1>working, you know, a

00:08:44.832 --> 00:08:46.672
<v speaker_1>nine-to-five job, and

00:08:46.672 --> 00:08:47.512
<v speaker_1>I loved it. And

00:08:47.512 --> 00:08:48.432
<v speaker_1>I did that

00:08:48.432 --> 00:08:50.472
<v speaker_1>for quite some time.

00:08:50.472 --> 00:08:51.492
<v speaker_1>And I wanna

00:08:51.492 --> 00:08:52.472
<v speaker_1>say that the first

00:08:52.472 --> 00:08:53.272
<v speaker_1>40 years of

00:08:53.272 --> 00:08:53.982
<v speaker_1>my life I was

00:08:53.982 --> 00:08:54.912
<v speaker_1>pretty selfish. I

00:08:54.912 --> 00:08:56.212
<v speaker_1>kind of just, kind

00:08:56.212 --> 00:08:57.292
<v speaker_1>of my own

00:08:57.292 --> 00:08:59.152
<v speaker_1>experience, my life, what

00:08:59.152 --> 00:08:59.952
<v speaker_1>I had going

00:08:59.952 --> 00:09:01.372
<v speaker_1>on. But it wasn't

00:09:01.372 --> 00:09:02.232
<v speaker_1>till I met

00:09:02.232 --> 00:09:03.832
<v speaker_1>Katana Sanchez, who is

00:09:03.832 --> 00:09:04.932
<v speaker_1>a local, um,

00:09:04.932 --> 00:09:06.932
<v speaker_1>trans advocate, and she

00:09:06.932 --> 00:09:07.912
<v speaker_1>kind of made

00:09:07.912 --> 00:09:09.512
<v speaker_1>me realize that I,

00:09:09.512 --> 00:09:10.471
<v speaker_1>there was lots

00:09:10.472 --> 00:09:11.452
<v speaker_1>of power in having

00:09:11.452 --> 00:09:12.372
<v speaker_1>a microphone. I

00:09:12.372 --> 00:09:13.682
<v speaker_1>didn't really realize that,

00:09:13.682 --> 00:09:14.612
<v speaker_1>because I was

00:09:14.612 --> 00:09:16.102
<v speaker_1>kind of finding myself.

00:09:16.102 --> 00:09:17.692
<v speaker_1>And in meeting

00:09:17.692 --> 00:09:18.772
<v speaker_1>her, she taught me

00:09:18.772 --> 00:09:20.432
<v speaker_1>how to advocate

00:09:20.432 --> 00:09:21.842
<v speaker_1>for my community, how

00:09:21.842 --> 00:09:22.632
<v speaker_1>to use my

00:09:22.632 --> 00:09:24.392
<v speaker_1>voice, and most importantly,

00:09:24.392 --> 00:09:25.712
<v speaker_1>how my experience

00:09:25.712 --> 00:09:27.572
<v speaker_1>and my experiences needed

00:09:27.572 --> 00:09:28.452
<v speaker_1>to be told.

00:09:28.452 --> 00:09:30.072
<v speaker_1>Storytelling is very important.

00:09:30.072 --> 00:09:32.272
<v speaker_1>So, um, in

00:09:32.272 --> 00:09:34.632
<v speaker_1>doing that, I joined,

00:09:34.632 --> 00:09:35.672
<v speaker_1>um-

00:09:35.672 --> 00:09:37.512
<v speaker_0>Shift over here. I

00:09:37.512 --> 00:09:38.092
<v speaker_0>think we actually

00:09:38.092 --> 00:09:38.932
<v speaker_0>might move the table

00:09:38.932 --> 00:09:39.452
<v speaker_0>a little bit,

00:09:39.452 --> 00:09:39.592
<v speaker_0>too.

00:09:39.592 --> 00:09:39.872
<v speaker_1>Okay.

00:09:39.872 --> 00:09:40.852
<v speaker_0>Sorry to interrupt you.

00:09:40.852 --> 00:09:41.672
<v speaker_0>Uh, but I

00:09:41.672 --> 00:09:42.452
<v speaker_0>remember you saying your

00:09:42.452 --> 00:09:43.232
<v speaker_0>good side, and

00:09:43.232 --> 00:09:44.072
<v speaker_0>we're actually capturing a

00:09:44.072 --> 00:09:44.712
<v speaker_0>lot more of

00:09:44.712 --> 00:09:44.992
<v speaker_0>this-

00:09:44.992 --> 00:09:45.232
<v speaker_1>Okay

00:09:45.232 --> 00:09:45.572
<v speaker_0>... so I kinda

00:09:45.572 --> 00:09:45.922
<v speaker_0>wanna ref-

00:10:16.272 --> 00:10:16.992
<v speaker_1>Well, I didn't really

00:10:16.992 --> 00:10:18.152
<v speaker_1>realize the need

00:10:18.152 --> 00:10:19.092
<v speaker_1>for it. I think

00:10:19.092 --> 00:10:19.872
<v speaker_1>that, like I

00:10:19.872 --> 00:10:20.392
<v speaker_1>said, I was in

00:10:20.392 --> 00:10:21.212
<v speaker_1>this bubble that

00:10:21.212 --> 00:10:22.512
<v speaker_1>was the Brittany Andrews

00:10:22.512 --> 00:10:23.932
<v speaker_1>story, you know,

00:10:23.932 --> 00:10:25.052
<v speaker_1>the Brittany Andrews story

00:10:25.052 --> 00:10:26.272
<v speaker_1>time, and I

00:10:26.272 --> 00:10:27.492
<v speaker_1>didn't realize that there

00:10:27.492 --> 00:10:28.151
<v speaker_1>was people that

00:10:28.152 --> 00:10:29.012
<v speaker_1>were suffering and that

00:10:29.012 --> 00:10:29.912
<v speaker_1>people that didn't

00:10:29.912 --> 00:10:32.312
<v speaker_1>have th- I don't

00:10:32.312 --> 00:10:32.912
<v speaker_1>wanna say the

00:10:32.912 --> 00:10:34.032
<v speaker_1>luxuries, because I never

00:10:34.032 --> 00:10:35.192
<v speaker_1>really had luxuries,

00:10:35.192 --> 00:10:37.402
<v speaker_1>but I definitely had

00:10:37.402 --> 00:10:37.992
<v speaker_1>a lot of

00:10:37.992 --> 00:10:40.332
<v speaker_1>great opportunities. I've lived

00:10:40.332 --> 00:10:41.452
<v speaker_1>a wonderful life.

00:10:41.452 --> 00:10:42.422
<v speaker_1>I've had a community

00:10:42.422 --> 00:10:43.212
<v speaker_1>that has supported

00:10:43.212 --> 00:10:44.502
<v speaker_1>me in everything I've

00:10:44.502 --> 00:10:45.252
<v speaker_1>ever wanted to

00:10:45.252 --> 00:10:47.132
<v speaker_1>do, and that's an

00:10:47.132 --> 00:10:48.352
<v speaker_1>amazing feeling. And

00:10:48.352 --> 00:10:49.332
<v speaker_1>I remember that when

00:10:49.332 --> 00:10:51.092
<v speaker_1>I first transitioned,

00:10:51.092 --> 00:10:52.492
<v speaker_1>having one person tell

00:10:52.492 --> 00:10:53.412
<v speaker_1>me yes was

00:10:53.412 --> 00:10:55.092
<v speaker_1>louder than 50 people

00:10:55.092 --> 00:10:56.392
<v speaker_1>telling me no.

00:10:56.392 --> 00:10:57.772
<v speaker_1>So I just got

00:10:57.772 --> 00:10:59.752
<v speaker_1>on this mission

00:10:59.752 --> 00:11:00.912
<v speaker_1>to want to help

00:11:00.912 --> 00:11:02.192
<v speaker_1>others, to help

00:11:02.192 --> 00:11:03.692
<v speaker_1>them live their best

00:11:03.692 --> 00:11:05.012
<v speaker_1>lives, to be

00:11:05.012 --> 00:11:05.692
<v speaker_1>the best that they

00:11:05.692 --> 00:11:07.232
<v speaker_1>can be. And

00:11:07.232 --> 00:11:08.752
<v speaker_1>in doing that, um,

00:11:08.752 --> 00:11:10.992
<v speaker_1>wasn't... Like I

00:11:10.992 --> 00:11:11.572
<v speaker_1>said, I didn't set

00:11:11.572 --> 00:11:11.912
<v speaker_1>out to be

00:11:11.912 --> 00:11:12.762
<v speaker_1>an advocate. I said,

00:11:12.762 --> 00:11:13.632
<v speaker_1>"Okay, I'll help

00:11:13.632 --> 00:11:14.452
<v speaker_1>you, Gabe," you know?

00:11:14.452 --> 00:11:15.452
<v speaker_1>"I'll help you

00:11:15.452 --> 00:11:16.782
<v speaker_1>organize this." And then

00:11:16.782 --> 00:11:17.532
<v speaker_1>before I knew

00:11:17.532 --> 00:11:18.992
<v speaker_1>it, we were having

00:11:18.992 --> 00:11:19.852
<v speaker_1>a concert, the

00:11:19.852 --> 00:11:21.212
<v speaker_1>Be Human concert, which

00:11:21.212 --> 00:11:21.831
<v speaker_1>was... Oh, my

00:11:21.832 --> 00:11:23.512
<v speaker_1>goodness. I'm getting emotional.

00:11:23.512 --> 00:11:24.872
<v speaker_1>Um, I did,

00:11:24.872 --> 00:11:25.792
<v speaker_1>we did the Be

00:11:25.792 --> 00:11:27.432
<v speaker_1>Human concert, and

00:11:27.432 --> 00:11:28.392
<v speaker_1>with the proceeds from

00:11:28.392 --> 00:11:30.232
<v speaker_1>that, we donated

00:11:30.232 --> 00:11:31.072
<v speaker_1>that to the Coastal

00:11:31.072 --> 00:11:32.692
<v speaker_1>Bend Wellness Foundation.

00:11:32.692 --> 00:11:33.552
<v speaker_1>And in January of

00:11:33.552 --> 00:11:35.952
<v speaker_1>2016, we started

00:11:35.952 --> 00:11:37.192
<v speaker_1>the Coastal Bend Trans

00:11:37.192 --> 00:11:38.622
<v speaker_1>Alliance, which was

00:11:38.622 --> 00:11:39.812
<v speaker_1>a support group for

00:11:39.812 --> 00:11:42.152
<v speaker_1>trans individuals, youth,

00:11:42.152 --> 00:11:44.052
<v speaker_1>and their parents, because

00:11:44.052 --> 00:11:45.012
<v speaker_1>the driving force

00:11:45.012 --> 00:11:46.512
<v speaker_1>for that concert was

00:11:46.512 --> 00:11:47.331
<v speaker_1>a mother who

00:11:47.332 --> 00:11:48.612
<v speaker_1>had asked for support

00:11:48.612 --> 00:11:49.932
<v speaker_1>for her child.

00:11:49.932 --> 00:11:50.792
<v speaker_1>And then she said,

00:11:50.792 --> 00:11:52.092
<v speaker_1>"Well, okay, I

00:11:52.092 --> 00:11:52.872
<v speaker_1>got support for my

00:11:52.872 --> 00:11:53.532
<v speaker_1>child, but what

00:11:53.532 --> 00:11:55.392
<v speaker_1>about everybody else's children?"

00:11:55.392 --> 00:11:55.772
<v speaker_1>You know? "What

00:11:55.772 --> 00:11:56.932
<v speaker_1>about the other parents?"

00:11:56.932 --> 00:11:59.416
<v speaker_1>So-In doing

00:11:59.416 --> 00:12:00.236
<v speaker_1>that, Kay and

00:12:00.236 --> 00:12:01.676
<v speaker_1>I pretty much decided

00:12:01.676 --> 00:12:02.276
<v speaker_1>that we would

00:12:02.276 --> 00:12:04.116
<v speaker_1>be facilitators, but only

00:12:04.116 --> 00:12:05.016
<v speaker_1>talking about our

00:12:05.016 --> 00:12:07.136
<v speaker_1>life experiences because even

00:12:07.136 --> 00:12:07.996
<v speaker_1>though she's got

00:12:07.996 --> 00:12:09.116
<v speaker_1>a degree to be

00:12:09.116 --> 00:12:10.076
<v speaker_1>an English teacher,

00:12:10.076 --> 00:12:11.316
<v speaker_1>I do not, and

00:12:11.316 --> 00:12:12.176
<v speaker_1>we- we're not

00:12:12.176 --> 00:12:13.136
<v speaker_1>social workers, so we

00:12:13.136 --> 00:12:13.936
<v speaker_1>could only talk

00:12:13.936 --> 00:12:15.136
<v speaker_1>about our life experiences.

00:12:15.136 --> 00:12:16.076
<v speaker_1>So we did

00:12:16.076 --> 00:12:17.246
<v speaker_1>that for four years,

00:12:17.246 --> 00:12:18.336
<v speaker_1>and after four

00:12:18.336 --> 00:12:20.116
<v speaker_1>years, we pretty much

00:12:20.116 --> 00:12:21.756
<v speaker_1>realized that there

00:12:21.756 --> 00:12:22.796
<v speaker_1>was only so much

00:12:22.796 --> 00:12:23.496
<v speaker_1>we could say

00:12:23.496 --> 00:12:25.006
<v speaker_1>to these individuals, and

00:12:25.006 --> 00:12:25.795
<v speaker_1>that they needed

00:12:25.796 --> 00:12:27.316
<v speaker_1>to... For it to

00:12:27.316 --> 00:12:28.936
<v speaker_1>be more therapy-based,

00:12:28.936 --> 00:12:30.256
<v speaker_1>you know, uh, counselors

00:12:30.256 --> 00:12:30.876
<v speaker_1>needed to be

00:12:30.876 --> 00:12:32.416
<v speaker_1>in there and, and

00:12:32.416 --> 00:12:33.396
<v speaker_1>times were changing.

00:12:33.396 --> 00:12:34.256
<v speaker_1>I mean, we literally

00:12:34.256 --> 00:12:35.356
<v speaker_1>were-- I think

00:12:35.356 --> 00:12:36.806
<v speaker_1>we left two weeks

00:12:36.806 --> 00:12:38.016
<v speaker_1>before the pandemic.

00:12:38.016 --> 00:12:38.645
<v speaker_1>Not that we knew

00:12:38.645 --> 00:12:39.376
<v speaker_1>the pandemic was

00:12:39.376 --> 00:12:40.216
<v speaker_1>coming, but we just

00:12:40.216 --> 00:12:41.516
<v speaker_1>knew that things

00:12:41.516 --> 00:12:42.736
<v speaker_1>were changing and things

00:12:42.736 --> 00:12:44.435
<v speaker_1>were evolving, and

00:12:44.436 --> 00:12:45.856
<v speaker_1>it-- these individuals needed

00:12:45.856 --> 00:12:46.536
<v speaker_1>more help than

00:12:46.536 --> 00:12:48.356
<v speaker_1>just our stories. So...

00:12:48.356 --> 00:12:48.356
<v speaker_1>

00:12:49.916 --> 00:12:50.816
<v speaker_0>That's a frame, some

00:12:50.816 --> 00:12:52.156
<v speaker_0>of your, um,

00:12:52.156 --> 00:12:53.136
<v speaker_0>the next portion of

00:12:53.136 --> 00:12:54.016
<v speaker_0>it. But one

00:12:54.016 --> 00:12:54.576
<v speaker_0>thing I think would

00:12:54.576 --> 00:12:55.596
<v speaker_0>be really, um,

00:12:55.596 --> 00:12:56.596
<v speaker_0>beneficial as you talk

00:12:56.596 --> 00:12:57.696
<v speaker_0>about that is,

00:12:57.696 --> 00:12:58.996
<v speaker_0>as you transitioned into

00:12:58.996 --> 00:12:59.556
<v speaker_0>sort of like

00:12:59.556 --> 00:13:00.826
<v speaker_0>that helping and supporting

00:13:00.826 --> 00:13:01.696
<v speaker_0>the community with

00:13:01.696 --> 00:13:02.776
<v speaker_0>it, you really kind

00:13:02.776 --> 00:13:03.616
<v speaker_0>of developed a

00:13:03.616 --> 00:13:04.896
<v speaker_0>growth into also support

00:13:04.896 --> 00:13:06.396
<v speaker_0>the entertainer community

00:13:06.396 --> 00:13:07.006
<v speaker_0>with a lot of

00:13:07.006 --> 00:13:07.856
<v speaker_0>the, the, you

00:13:07.856 --> 00:13:08.856
<v speaker_0>know, programs and stuff

00:13:08.856 --> 00:13:09.296
<v speaker_0>like that, or

00:13:09.296 --> 00:13:10.096
<v speaker_0>the pageants and everything

00:13:10.096 --> 00:13:10.436
<v speaker_0>that you were

00:13:10.436 --> 00:13:11.116
<v speaker_0>coming up with. So

00:13:11.116 --> 00:13:11.956
<v speaker_0>I think maybe

00:13:11.956 --> 00:13:12.956
<v speaker_0>discussing a little bit

00:13:12.956 --> 00:13:13.776
<v speaker_0>about like how

00:13:13.776 --> 00:13:15.896
<v speaker_0>that evolved post-COVID, and

00:13:15.896 --> 00:13:16.756
<v speaker_0>really how you

00:13:16.756 --> 00:13:18.136
<v speaker_0>used your platform that

00:13:18.136 --> 00:13:19.356
<v speaker_0>frankly you built

00:13:19.356 --> 00:13:20.596
<v speaker_0>and put, you know,

00:13:20.596 --> 00:13:21.476
<v speaker_0>years of work

00:13:21.476 --> 00:13:22.916
<v speaker_0>into, and started to

00:13:22.916 --> 00:13:23.636
<v speaker_0>open up doors

00:13:23.636 --> 00:13:24.526
<v speaker_0>for others through it

00:13:24.526 --> 00:13:25.076
<v speaker_0>as well, I

00:13:25.076 --> 00:13:25.756
<v speaker_0>think would be really

00:13:25.756 --> 00:13:27.036
<v speaker_0>important.

00:13:27.216 --> 00:13:29.036
<v speaker_1>Well, um, I originally

00:13:29.036 --> 00:13:30.316
<v speaker_1>started doing contests

00:13:30.316 --> 00:13:31.136
<v speaker_1>with the Miss Latina

00:13:31.136 --> 00:13:32.596
<v speaker_1>pageant. I'm celebrating

00:13:32.596 --> 00:13:34.656
<v speaker_1>my seventeenth year, so

00:13:34.656 --> 00:13:35.336
<v speaker_1>that was pretty

00:13:35.336 --> 00:13:36.776
<v speaker_1>awesome. And in doing

00:13:36.776 --> 00:13:37.456
<v speaker_1>that, I wanted

00:13:37.456 --> 00:13:38.796
<v speaker_1>representation for the Latin

00:13:38.796 --> 00:13:39.616
<v speaker_1>community 'cause I

00:13:39.616 --> 00:13:40.656
<v speaker_1>know there was pageants.

00:13:40.656 --> 00:13:41.676
<v speaker_1>Uh, I know

00:13:41.676 --> 00:13:42.556
<v speaker_1>the Miss Corpus Christi

00:13:42.556 --> 00:13:43.496
<v speaker_1>USA pageant is

00:13:43.496 --> 00:13:45.456
<v speaker_1>celebrating its fifty-third anniversary.

00:13:45.456 --> 00:13:47.856
<v speaker_1>And, um,

00:13:47.856 --> 00:13:49.416
<v speaker_1>at that particular time,

00:13:49.416 --> 00:13:50.556
<v speaker_1>there was a

00:13:50.556 --> 00:13:51.776
<v speaker_1>lot of prejudice. Like,

00:13:51.776 --> 00:13:52.756
<v speaker_1>if you weren't

00:13:52.756 --> 00:13:53.676
<v speaker_1>part of the clique,

00:13:53.676 --> 00:13:54.276
<v speaker_1>or you didn't

00:13:54.276 --> 00:13:55.136
<v speaker_1>work at the bar,

00:13:55.136 --> 00:13:55.816
<v speaker_1>or you didn't

00:13:55.816 --> 00:13:56.856
<v speaker_1>know the right people,

00:13:56.856 --> 00:13:58.296
<v speaker_1>you kind of

00:13:58.296 --> 00:13:59.176
<v speaker_1>didn't get the breaks

00:13:59.176 --> 00:14:00.616
<v speaker_1>you needed. And

00:14:00.616 --> 00:14:01.636
<v speaker_1>I wanted to create

00:14:01.636 --> 00:14:02.856
<v speaker_1>a contest where

00:14:02.856 --> 00:14:03.956
<v speaker_1>you, if you were

00:14:03.956 --> 00:14:04.576
<v speaker_1>the best, you

00:14:04.576 --> 00:14:05.196
<v speaker_1>were going to be

00:14:05.196 --> 00:14:05.936
<v speaker_1>celebrated, and you

00:14:05.936 --> 00:14:06.916
<v speaker_1>were gonna be rewarded.

00:14:06.916 --> 00:14:08.376
<v speaker_1>It wasn't because

00:14:08.376 --> 00:14:09.376
<v speaker_1>you knew somebody or

00:14:09.376 --> 00:14:09.856
<v speaker_1>you were part

00:14:09.856 --> 00:14:10.996
<v speaker_1>of a clique. So

00:14:10.996 --> 00:14:11.356
<v speaker_1>I knew that

00:14:11.356 --> 00:14:12.316
<v speaker_1>it was important to

00:14:12.316 --> 00:14:14.176
<v speaker_1>not only work

00:14:14.176 --> 00:14:15.116
<v speaker_1>for my community, but

00:14:15.116 --> 00:14:16.296
<v speaker_1>also my demographic.

00:14:16.296 --> 00:14:17.236
<v speaker_1>For being a Latina

00:14:17.236 --> 00:14:18.236
<v speaker_1>woman, I wanted

00:14:18.236 --> 00:14:18.916
<v speaker_1>to make sure that

00:14:18.916 --> 00:14:19.336
<v speaker_1>there was a

00:14:19.336 --> 00:14:20.776
<v speaker_1>contest geared for the

00:14:20.776 --> 00:14:22.456
<v speaker_1>Latino community. And

00:14:22.456 --> 00:14:23.305
<v speaker_1>then the next year,

00:14:23.305 --> 00:14:23.816
<v speaker_1>I did the

00:14:23.816 --> 00:14:25.136
<v speaker_1>Miss Corpus Christi Sweetheart,

00:14:25.136 --> 00:14:25.616
<v speaker_1>and as I

00:14:25.616 --> 00:14:27.856
<v speaker_1>wanted newcomer representation. I

00:14:27.856 --> 00:14:28.816
<v speaker_1>wanted these newcomers

00:14:28.816 --> 00:14:30.036
<v speaker_1>to have a platform

00:14:30.036 --> 00:14:30.936
<v speaker_1>to showcase their

00:14:30.936 --> 00:14:33.056
<v speaker_1>talents and also to

00:14:33.056 --> 00:14:34.156
<v speaker_1>build a sisterhood.

00:14:34.156 --> 00:14:36.516
<v speaker_1>Because back then, contest,

00:14:36.516 --> 00:14:37.036
<v speaker_1>even though we

00:14:37.036 --> 00:14:38.036
<v speaker_1>were competing against each

00:14:38.036 --> 00:14:38.775
<v speaker_1>other, we were

00:14:38.776 --> 00:14:39.776
<v speaker_1>back there helping each

00:14:39.776 --> 00:14:40.536
<v speaker_1>other. We weren't

00:14:40.536 --> 00:14:41.756
<v speaker_1>like, "Oh, you know,

00:14:41.756 --> 00:14:42.495
<v speaker_1>we're against each

00:14:42.496 --> 00:14:43.416
<v speaker_1>other." It was not

00:14:43.416 --> 00:14:43.976
<v speaker_1>at all like

00:14:43.976 --> 00:14:45.416
<v speaker_1>that. We were one

00:14:45.416 --> 00:14:46.456
<v speaker_1>hundred percent there

00:14:46.456 --> 00:14:47.376
<v speaker_1>for each other, and

00:14:47.376 --> 00:14:47.936
<v speaker_1>even though there

00:14:47.936 --> 00:14:48.716
<v speaker_1>was only gonna be

00:14:48.716 --> 00:14:50.016
<v speaker_1>one winner, we

00:14:50.016 --> 00:14:51.336
<v speaker_1>were literally helping each

00:14:51.336 --> 00:14:52.276
<v speaker_1>other out as

00:14:52.276 --> 00:14:52.916
<v speaker_1>if we were best

00:14:52.916 --> 00:14:53.636
<v speaker_1>friends. And some

00:14:53.636 --> 00:14:54.525
<v speaker_1>of us were from

00:14:54.525 --> 00:14:55.636
<v speaker_1>small towns, you

00:14:55.636 --> 00:14:56.256
<v speaker_1>know. Like I said,

00:14:56.256 --> 00:14:58.016
<v speaker_1>Odem, Sinton,

00:14:58.016 --> 00:15:00.496
<v speaker_1>Kingsville, Alice, and

00:15:00.496 --> 00:15:01.116
<v speaker_1>I guess we

00:15:01.116 --> 00:15:02.676
<v speaker_1>were the minority, so

00:15:02.676 --> 00:15:03.516
<v speaker_1>we kinda had

00:15:03.516 --> 00:15:04.956
<v speaker_1>to stick together because

00:15:04.956 --> 00:15:05.416
<v speaker_1>a lot of

00:15:05.416 --> 00:15:06.336
<v speaker_1>these girls were seasoned

00:15:06.336 --> 00:15:07.196
<v speaker_1>entertainers, and they

00:15:07.196 --> 00:15:09.156
<v speaker_1>were pretty amazing. So

00:15:09.156 --> 00:15:09.816
<v speaker_1>we would stick

00:15:09.816 --> 00:15:11.296
<v speaker_1>together, and we eventually

00:15:11.296 --> 00:15:12.796
<v speaker_1>monopolized pretty much

00:15:12.796 --> 00:15:13.736
<v speaker_1>all the contests, which

00:15:13.736 --> 00:15:14.516
<v speaker_1>was pretty awesome

00:15:14.516 --> 00:15:15.596
<v speaker_1>'cause we knew what

00:15:15.596 --> 00:15:16.356
<v speaker_1>our strengths were,

00:15:16.356 --> 00:15:16.976
<v speaker_1>and we all helped

00:15:16.976 --> 00:15:18.856
<v speaker_1>each other. Pretty

00:15:18.856 --> 00:15:19.536
<v speaker_1>awesome.

00:15:19.536 --> 00:15:19.956
<v speaker_0>Who are some of

00:15:19.956 --> 00:15:21.816
<v speaker_0>the people? Names.

00:15:21.816 --> 00:15:23.616
<v speaker_1>Um, Ashley Everett, she

00:15:23.616 --> 00:15:25.096
<v speaker_1>was from Robstown.

00:15:25.096 --> 00:15:26.336
<v speaker_1>She was amazing. Jasmine

00:15:26.336 --> 00:15:28.336
<v speaker_1>SX, she was

00:15:28.336 --> 00:15:30.536
<v speaker_1>from Sinton.

00:15:30.536 --> 00:15:32.936
<v speaker_1>Um, God, Alice, Texas

00:15:32.936 --> 00:15:33.856
<v speaker_1>had some amazing

00:15:33.856 --> 00:15:35.356
<v speaker_1>performers too, I remember.

00:15:35.356 --> 00:15:36.676
<v speaker_1>Uh, I remember

00:15:36.676 --> 00:15:37.096
<v speaker_1>that a lot of

00:15:37.096 --> 00:15:37.976
<v speaker_1>these girls had

00:15:37.976 --> 00:15:39.056
<v speaker_1>come, and they were

00:15:39.056 --> 00:15:40.616
<v speaker_1>already established. Melissa

00:15:40.616 --> 00:15:42.576
<v speaker_1>Michaels. Victoria West was

00:15:42.576 --> 00:15:44.736
<v speaker_1>from Portland, Texas.

00:15:44.736 --> 00:15:46.096
<v speaker_1>Uh, Oprah DeMauro was

00:15:46.096 --> 00:15:47.196
<v speaker_1>from San Benito,

00:15:47.196 --> 00:15:48.926
<v speaker_1>Texas. So a lot

00:15:48.926 --> 00:15:49.876
<v speaker_1>of these individuals

00:15:49.876 --> 00:15:51.566
<v speaker_1>were already here. Uh,

00:15:51.566 --> 00:15:53.196
<v speaker_1>um, Angel was

00:15:53.196 --> 00:15:54.736
<v speaker_1>from Laredo. But I

00:15:54.736 --> 00:15:55.676
<v speaker_1>mean, their talent

00:15:55.676 --> 00:15:57.636
<v speaker_1>was amazing. Um, Nina

00:15:57.636 --> 00:15:59.495
<v speaker_1>Rogers. So many

00:15:59.496 --> 00:16:01.356
<v speaker_1>entertainers that, like, I

00:16:01.356 --> 00:16:01.716
<v speaker_1>mean, they were

00:16:01.716 --> 00:16:02.936
<v speaker_1>just amazing on stage.

00:16:02.936 --> 00:16:03.536
<v speaker_1>And we had

00:16:03.536 --> 00:16:04.476
<v speaker_1>the best role models

00:16:04.476 --> 00:16:05.196
<v speaker_1>too, because we

00:16:05.196 --> 00:16:05.816
<v speaker_1>get to see these

00:16:05.816 --> 00:16:07.336
<v speaker_1>amazing shows. They

00:16:07.336 --> 00:16:08.116
<v speaker_1>had the Super Sunday

00:16:08.116 --> 00:16:08.656
<v speaker_1>show, and they

00:16:08.656 --> 00:16:09.856
<v speaker_1>would bring like Miss

00:16:09.856 --> 00:16:11.156
<v speaker_1>Gay USA, Tommy

00:16:11.156 --> 00:16:13.436
<v speaker_1>Ross, Sweet Savage, uh,

00:16:13.436 --> 00:16:14.936
<v speaker_1>Tasha Cole, all

00:16:14.936 --> 00:16:16.016
<v speaker_1>of these entertainers that

00:16:16.016 --> 00:16:17.456
<v speaker_1>were like legendary.

00:16:17.456 --> 00:16:19.936
<v speaker_1>I mean, they blew

00:16:19.936 --> 00:16:20.896
<v speaker_1>us away with

00:16:20.896 --> 00:16:22.296
<v speaker_1>their talent, with their

00:16:22.296 --> 00:16:23.196
<v speaker_1>love for what

00:16:23.196 --> 00:16:24.696
<v speaker_1>they did. It was

00:16:24.696 --> 00:16:25.235
<v speaker_1>like meeting a

00:16:25.236 --> 00:16:26.536
<v speaker_1>celebrity, and I knew

00:16:26.536 --> 00:16:27.096
<v speaker_1>that's what I

00:16:27.096 --> 00:16:27.956
<v speaker_1>wanted to do. I,

00:16:27.956 --> 00:16:28.956
<v speaker_1>I just knew

00:16:28.956 --> 00:16:29.496
<v speaker_1>it. As soon as

00:16:29.496 --> 00:16:30.056
<v speaker_1>I met my

00:16:30.056 --> 00:16:31.496
<v speaker_1>first performer, there was

00:16:31.496 --> 00:16:33.056
<v speaker_1>this one, um,

00:16:33.056 --> 00:16:34.776
<v speaker_1>entertainer named Crystal Star,

00:16:34.776 --> 00:16:36.076
<v speaker_1>and she was

00:16:36.076 --> 00:16:37.336
<v speaker_1>like the best. She

00:16:37.336 --> 00:16:39.356
<v speaker_1>could spin and

00:16:39.356 --> 00:16:41.156
<v speaker_1>dance and back then,

00:16:41.156 --> 00:16:42.796
<v speaker_1>uh, the MTV,

00:16:43.876 --> 00:16:46.076
<v speaker_1>uh, phenomenon was starting.

00:16:46.076 --> 00:16:47.936
<v speaker_1>So, um, she

00:16:47.936 --> 00:16:49.516
<v speaker_1>played and danced to

00:16:49.516 --> 00:16:50.736
<v speaker_1>all the, you

00:16:50.736 --> 00:16:51.516
<v speaker_1>know, what the music

00:16:51.516 --> 00:16:52.476
<v speaker_1>that was happening

00:16:52.476 --> 00:16:53.596
<v speaker_1>at the moment. She

00:16:53.596 --> 00:16:54.116
<v speaker_1>was a white

00:16:54.116 --> 00:16:55.616
<v speaker_1>girl that danced like

00:16:55.616 --> 00:16:57.656
<v speaker_1>amazing. Her spins

00:16:57.656 --> 00:16:59.196
<v speaker_1>were-- I mean, she

00:16:59.196 --> 00:16:59.626
<v speaker_1>was the best

00:16:59.626 --> 00:17:00.696
<v speaker_1>performer till this day

00:17:00.696 --> 00:17:01.236
<v speaker_1>that I had

00:17:01.236 --> 00:17:02.416
<v speaker_1>ever met. She's no

00:17:02.416 --> 00:17:03.276
<v speaker_1>longer with us,

00:17:03.276 --> 00:17:04.986
<v speaker_1>but her talent was

00:17:04.986 --> 00:17:06.976
<v speaker_1>like beyond

00:17:06.976 --> 00:17:09.396
<v speaker_1>extraordinary. Never have I

00:17:09.396 --> 00:17:10.336
<v speaker_1>ever seen anybody

00:17:10.336 --> 00:17:10.976
<v speaker_1>who could do what

00:17:10.976 --> 00:17:11.956
<v speaker_1>she can do.

00:17:11.956 --> 00:17:12.656
<v speaker_0>Who would you say

00:17:12.656 --> 00:17:14.196
<v speaker_0>your biggest influencers

00:17:14.196 --> 00:17:16.116
<v speaker_0>are in your persona?

00:17:16.116 --> 00:17:16.996
<v speaker_0>

00:17:16.996 --> 00:17:19.296
<v speaker_1>Ooh. Um, [lips smack] you

00:17:19.296 --> 00:17:19.846
<v speaker_1>know, well, being

00:17:19.846 --> 00:17:20.436
<v speaker_1>that I'm a lot

00:17:20.436 --> 00:17:21.696
<v speaker_1>older, [chuckles] I

00:17:21.696 --> 00:17:23.366
<v speaker_1>remember, uh, watching a

00:17:23.366 --> 00:17:24.856
<v speaker_1>show in

00:17:24.856 --> 00:17:26.976
<v speaker_1>1980, which I was

00:17:26.976 --> 00:17:27.936
<v speaker_1>eight years old.

00:17:27.936 --> 00:17:28.776
<v speaker_1>And this is crazy

00:17:28.776 --> 00:17:29.376
<v speaker_1>because, you know,

00:17:29.376 --> 00:17:31.316
<v speaker_1>you're talking 1980,

00:17:31.316 --> 00:17:32.556
<v speaker_1>and it was

00:17:32.556 --> 00:17:34.366
<v speaker_1>the Female Impersonation of

00:17:34.366 --> 00:17:35.796
<v speaker_1>the Year pageant,

00:17:35.796 --> 00:17:37.936
<v speaker_1>televised with Lyle

00:17:37.936 --> 00:17:40.156
<v speaker_1>Wagner as the emcee,

00:17:40.156 --> 00:17:41.496
<v speaker_1>and, uh, it

00:17:41.496 --> 00:17:42.616
<v speaker_1>was in Houston, Texas.

00:17:42.616 --> 00:17:44.616
<v speaker_1>And, um, I

00:17:44.616 --> 00:17:46.176
<v speaker_1>remember seeing this beautiful

00:17:46.176 --> 00:17:47.456
<v speaker_1>redhead named Michael

00:17:47.456 --> 00:17:49.516
<v speaker_1>Andrews, and when I

00:17:49.516 --> 00:17:50.456
<v speaker_1>saw her at

00:17:50.456 --> 00:17:51.236
<v speaker_1>eight years old, I

00:17:51.236 --> 00:17:51.856
<v speaker_1>was like, "Okay,

00:17:51.856 --> 00:17:52.476
<v speaker_1>this is what I

00:17:52.476 --> 00:17:53.616
<v speaker_1>want to do."

00:17:53.616 --> 00:17:55.396
<v speaker_1>She did Ann-Margret

00:17:55.396 --> 00:17:56.936
<v speaker_1>amazing, and I just--

00:17:56.936 --> 00:17:57.915
<v speaker_1>I knew that's

00:17:57.916 --> 00:17:59.116
<v speaker_1>where I got Andrews

00:17:59.116 --> 00:18:01.316
<v speaker_1>from. And then,

00:18:01.316 --> 00:18:02.236
<v speaker_1>um, I saw her

00:18:02.236 --> 00:18:02.896
<v speaker_1>and I said,

00:18:02.896 --> 00:18:03.776
<v speaker_1>"This is what I,

00:18:03.776 --> 00:18:05.536
<v speaker_1>I wanna do."

00:18:05.536 --> 00:18:06.096
<v speaker_1>You know, I didn't

00:18:06.096 --> 00:18:07.676
<v speaker_1>really understand that

00:18:07.676 --> 00:18:08.476
<v speaker_1>they were drag queens.

00:18:08.476 --> 00:18:08.936
<v speaker_1>I mean, I

00:18:08.936 --> 00:18:10.076
<v speaker_1>did because they would

00:18:10.076 --> 00:18:10.936
<v speaker_1>interview them as

00:18:10.936 --> 00:18:12.446
<v speaker_1>a male and then

00:18:12.446 --> 00:18:13.096
<v speaker_1>show them on

00:18:13.096 --> 00:18:14.936
<v speaker_1>stage as females. But

00:18:14.936 --> 00:18:16.836
<v speaker_1>I didn't understand,

00:18:16.836 --> 00:18:17.296
<v speaker_1>I guess at eight

00:18:17.296 --> 00:18:18.096
<v speaker_1>years old, that

00:18:19.756 --> 00:18:20.516
<v speaker_1>that's what I wanted

00:18:20.516 --> 00:18:21.056
<v speaker_1>to do. I

00:18:21.056 --> 00:18:22.176
<v speaker_1>just knew that, you

00:18:22.176 --> 00:18:23.916
<v speaker_1>know, I definitely

00:18:23.916 --> 00:18:24.836
<v speaker_1>was drawn to it.

00:18:24.836 --> 00:18:26.776
<v speaker_1>And, um, I

00:18:26.776 --> 00:18:28.096
<v speaker_1>just, you know, would

00:18:28.096 --> 00:18:29.316
<v speaker_1>practice at home

00:18:29.316 --> 00:18:30.336
<v speaker_1>and up and down

00:18:30.336 --> 00:18:31.316
<v speaker_1>the hallways. And

00:18:31.316 --> 00:18:32.016
<v speaker_1>my grandmother was a

00:18:32.016 --> 00:18:33.616
<v speaker_1>seamstress, so I

00:18:33.616 --> 00:18:34.616
<v speaker_1>was able to be

00:18:34.616 --> 00:18:35.376
<v speaker_1>around a lot

00:18:35.376 --> 00:18:37.596
<v speaker_1>of cool stuff. So...

00:18:37.596 --> 00:18:37.816
<v speaker_1>

00:18:37.816 --> 00:18:38.636
<v speaker_0>Let me check real

00:18:38.636 --> 00:18:39.256
<v speaker_0>quick.

00:18:41.106 --> 00:18:41.106
<v speaker_1>[coughs]