Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
"To David?, a person with a warm and pleasing personality. But you still got a lot to learn. But you will go a long way... and meet alot of problems like the one you're facing now. So take care. Love Carmen Del Rio."]]> Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Felicity Jane was born on November 19 and is an entertainer from Mobile Alabama, who currently resides in the Central Florida region. Lane has won two pageants, Miss Gay Alabama USofA 1987 and Miss Lakeland 1989 and is currently an entertainer at Bradley's on 7th since 2018.

Amy DeMilo was born on and has received several titles such as Miss Alabama Continental 1992, Miss Lakeland 1997, Miss Florida F.I. 2000, Miss Metropolitan Continental 2008, Miss Gay Florida USofA 2010, Miss Heart of Florida 2011, Miss GayBOR 2012, Miss Gay USofA Classic 2013, Miss Gay Gulf Coast 2015, Miss Daytona Beach Continental Elite 2017, Southern Jewel All American Goddess 2018 and Showgirl Supreme 2019. DeMilo has also performed outside of Florida such as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Jasmine Bone't was born on November 22, 1968 and is an entertainer from Belvidere, Tennessee. Bone't has won several awards including: Miss Tennessee Continental 1995, Miss Black America 1995, Miss Florida F.l. 1996, Miss Hotlanta International 1999, Miss Black Universe 2001,1st Alternate to Miss Georgia Continental 2003, Top 14 AT Miss Continental 2003, and 3rd Alternate to Miss Continental 2005.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Willie Tillmon or known as Geraldine Jones was born in June 23, 1944 in Orlando, Florida has remained a prominent figure within Orlando's Drag scene and community. Commencing his career as a drag performer in the 1970's, a time where being black in drag was a bold move, Tillmon made his mark through his character Geraldine Jones (based off the Flip Wilson character). Tillmon has performed at the Parliament House, The New Pheonix, and other venues and continues to influence new generation of drag performers in the Orlando area and abroad. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Willie Tillmon or known as Geraldine Jones was born in June 23, 1944 in Orlando, Florida has remained a prominent figure within Orlando's Drag scene and community. Commencing his career as a drag performer in the 1970's, a time where being black in drag was a bold move, Tillmon made his mark through his character Geraldine Jones (based off the Flip Wilson character). Tillmon has performed at the Parliament House, The New Pheonix, and other venues and continues to influence new generation of drag performers in the Orlando area and abroad. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Billie Boots, known as "Florida's Queen Mother", began his drag career at an early age in the Daytona Beach area (he was an orphan and stripped as a woman in a carnival). He experimented with drag names such as Eva Paradise and Candy Barr until deciding to use his own name. He traveled throughout the United States with his partner of 21 years, Tubby Boots and worked as a seamstress for famous actresses and musicians. Although his health declined, he continued to serve the LGBTQ community through raising over $200,000 for local charities and HIV/AIDS service organizations, earning him the title "Florida's Queen Mother". Boots has earned several titles and awards such as Miss Gay Florida America (1974), Honorary Miss Florida F.L. (1997), Offical Miss Florida Queen Mother (1997) and much more. His last recorded performance was documented in the film "Queens for a Night", where Boots discusses the cultural changes and requirements in early drag performances and his experience being arrested. His contributions remains an important part within LGBTQ history of Florida and is felt through the presence of The Billie Boots Memorial Benefit for Outreach, which continues to raise funds for HIV/AIDS.

]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Willie Tillmon or known as Geraldine Jones was born in June 23, 1944 in Orlando, Florida has remained a prominent figure within Orlando's Drag scene and community. Commencing his career as a drag performer in the 1970's, a time where being black in drag was a bold move, Tillmon made his mark through his character Geraldine Jones (based off the Flip Wilson character). Tillmon has performed at the Parliament House, The New Phoenix, and other venues and continues to influence new generation of drag performers in the Orlando area and abroad.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Rusti Fawcett Hurd was born in June 3rd, 1957 and began performing drag right after high school in 1975. Hurd has received many titles and awards, with the first title as Miss Gay Orlando in 1977. Hurd also received Miss Gay Daytona, Miss Odds and Ends, Miss Memphis, Miss Dixieland, 1st runner up for Miss Florida at Large and first recipient of the Dana Manchester award. His major influence was Miss P in which he states: "Miss P / Paul Wegman was a major influence. When Bob Carr auditorium brought the Broadway series to Orlando he took me to see The Wiz. My introduction to Broadway. He also took me in and watched over me for many years. I refer to him as my drag mom."

]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Paul Michael Wegman or known as Miss P was born and raised in Rochester, New York and moved to Florida in 1960's, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre at the University of Central Florida. Although known as an entertainer for Parliament House, Wegman was also a performer at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and adjunt professor at Valencia Community College. Over the years Paul received many awards and acknowledgements from local civic, charitable and theatrical organizations. Wegman passed away on August 24, 2004 due to complication resulting from AIDS. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Paul Michael Wegman or known as Miss P was born and raised in Rochester, New York and moved to Florida in 1960's, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre at the University of Central Florida. Although known as an entertainer for Parliament House, Wegman was also a performer at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and adjunt professor at Valencia Community College. Over the years Paul received many awards and acknowledgements from local civic, charitable and theatrical organizations. Wegman passed away on August 24, 2004 due to complication resulting from AIDS.

]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Paul Michael Wegman or known as Miss P was born and raised in Rochester, New York and moved to Florida in 1960's, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre at the University of Central Florida. Although known as an entertainer for Parliament House, Wegman was also a performer at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and adjunt professor at Valencia Community College. Over the years Paul received many awards and acknowledgements from local civic, charitable and theatrical organizations. Wegman passed away on August 24, 2004 due to complication resulting from AIDS. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Miss Victoria Nicole Harrup Lawrence or known as Vicki Lawrence was a female impersonator and drag performer in Central Florida during the 1970-80's and Miss Florida F.L. 1983 Titleholder. Lawrence passed away in March 1992.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Miss Victoria Nicole Harrup Lawrence or known as Vicki Lawrence was a female impersonator and drag performer in Central Florida during the 1970-80's and Miss Florida F.L. 1983 Titleholder. Lawrence passed away in March 1992.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Taken from Orlando Sentinel (21 Nov. 1976, Sun):
RITA BEADS. A professional drag queen for a year and a half, Rita has a built-in following- the other members of her motorcycle gang. "Your head has to be in the right place to do this," she says. "It was a joke, a hobby, to me at first, but then I got a following so I worked hard." Rita says she isn't in it for the money "obviously. Most of us need the recognition, but I would freeze on stage without makeup. It's role playing." She says she lives on what little she makes plus a government disability check for an automobile wreck she was in while in the armed services. Even in public, in male dress, Rita says she's recognized by people who've seen her perform. "And you can always tell the straights from the gays in the audience," she says. "our peers are really critical of us, but the straights bubble. I feel lucky audiences have always liked me. I've seen audiences throw things at queens they didn't like." And , sure, Rita says, almost every night there is a someone who asks her about getting into the business. "But most of them have no flair for it or they're too big. You have to have feminine features or you look awful.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Sam Singhaus or known as Miss Sammy was born on July 20th, 1958 in Akron, Ohio and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Singhaus moved to New York City at age 19 to study dance and received a job within U.S. Terpsichore Ballet Co. and danced in shows at Radio City for several years, including a pre-Broadway national tour of Steven Brides for Seven Brothers and LaCage aux Folles where he had to perform in drag. Due to its closing, Singhaus came back to Orlando and opened the first mixed club in downtown, called Big Bang which facilitated a space for artists, actors, and creative types to hang out around the late 1980's. When the club closed, he along with a group from South Beach open the Firestone Club, where started to perform in drag on a weekly basis. Prior to his drag persona, Singhaus performed different characters. Due to advertising however, Singhaus would eventually choose the name Miss Sammy in honor to Paul Wegman, who was a friend and MC at Parliament House as Miss P. Although never participated in a formal pageant, Singhaus has helped April Fresh (Loc Robertson) in creating the Comedy Queen pageants and has hosted game shows, karaoke, bingo, special events, and fundraisers all over Orlando. In addition, Singhaus also sings live which allows most of his shows to involve comedy and Broadway musicals. He states that it's all about making people laugh and have a good time.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Carmella Marcella Garcia or known as the 'Grand Ole Gal of the South' was born in Brownsville, Kentucky on June 25th, 1962 as George Timothy Reed. Known for his multiple talents such as a Country/ Jazz vocalist and comedian, Reed's career augmented through drag performance which began in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1980's and flourished throughout several states; gaining popularity and being featured in television shows i.e. MTV, Comedy Central and others. While he traveled throughout the United States, he was a regular at Parliament House and Southern Nights in Orlando, Florida. Reed also raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations such and coached female pageant contestants in his later years. George Timothy Reed passed away in Bowling Green, Kentucky on October 15th, 2019 due to cancer. Carmella has obtain several titles and awards including Miss Parliament House, Miss Gay Florida USofA (1989), Miss Gay USofA at Large (1989), Miss Universe at Large (1992), Miss Continental Plus (1995) and others. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Sam Singhaus or known as Miss Sammy was born on July 20th, 1958 in Akron, Ohio and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Singhaus moved to New York City at age 19 to study dance and received a job within U.S. Terpsichore Ballet Co. and danced in shows at Radio City for several years, including a pre-Broadway national tour of Steven Brides for Seven Brothers and LaCage aux Folles where he had to perform in drag. Due to its closing, Singhaus came back to Orlando and opened the first mixed club in downtown, called Big Bang which facilitated a space for artists, actors, and creative types to hang out around the late 1980's. When the club closed, he along with a group from South Beach open the Firestone Club, where started to perform in drag on a weekly basis. Prior to his drag persona, Singhaus performed different characters. Due to advertising however, Singhaus would eventually choose the name Miss Sammy in honor to Paul Wegman, who was a friend and MC at Parliament House as Miss P. Although never participated in a formal pageant, Singhaus has helped April Fresh (Loc Robertson) in creating the Comedy Queen pageants and has hosted game shows, karaoke, bingo, special events, and fundraisers all over Orlando. In addition, Singhaus also sings live which allows most of his shows to involve comedy and Broadway musicals. He states that it's all about making people laugh and have a good time.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Sam Singhaus or known as Miss Sammy was born on July 20th, 1958 in Akron, Ohio and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Singhaus moved to New York City at age 19 to study dance and received a job within U.S. Terpsichore Ballet Co. and danced in shows at Radio City for several years, including a pre-Broadway national tour of Steven Brides for Seven Brothers and LaCage aux Folles where he had to perform in drag. Due to its closing, Singhaus came back to Orlando and opened the first mixed club in downtown, called Big Bang which facilitated a space for artists, actors, and creative types to hang out around the late 1980's. When the club closed, he along with a group from South Beach open the Firestone Club, where started to perform in drag on a weekly basis. Prior to his drag persona, Singhaus performed different characters. Due to advertising however, Singhaus would eventually choose the name Miss Sammy in honor to Paul Wegman, who was a friend and MC at Parliament House as Miss P. Although never participated in a formal pageant, Singhaus has helped April Fresh (Loc Robertson) in creating the Comedy Queen pageants and has hosted game shows, karaoke, bingo, special events, and fundraisers all over Orlando. In addition, Singhaus also sings live which allows most of his shows to involve comedy and Broadway musicals. He states that it's all about making people laugh and have a good time.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Rusti Fawcett Hurd was born in June 3rd 1957 and began performing drag right after high school in 1975. Hurd has received many titles and awards, with the first title as Miss Gay Orlando in 1977. Hurd also received Miss Gay Daytona, Miss Odds and Ends, Miss Memphis, Miss Dixieland, 1st runner up for Miss Florida at Large and first recipient of the Dana Manchester award.

His major influence was Miss P in which he states:
"Miss P / Paul Wegman was a major influence. When Bob Carr auditorium brought the Broadway series to Orlando he took me to see The Wiz. My introduction to Broadway. He also took me in and watched over me for many years. I refer to him as my drag mom." ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Also stated on flyer: "When visiting Orlando, check out the Finest Gay Nightclub in the Southeast, Voted Best Gay Nightclub in Orlando 3 years in a row. Serving the Gay Community With Pride, Seven Southern Nights A Week."
Miss Florida Pageant, Best of Luck to All Contestants.

Page King was born in Nov. 28, 1962 and is a drag performer that has lived throughout the United States until settling in Portland, Oregon. King’s career has made a mark within Central Florida’s drag culture through performances, working as a cast member for Southern Nights and for Ritzy Rags, store of Leigh Shannon. King has also appeared on local films with Leigh Shannon such as “My Fair Lidy” and has also appeared on the Leigh Shannon’s Cabaret Dinner Show. Loc Robertson comments during the oral history interview pertaining to the collection of “Men in Heels” calendar, that he had a special relationship with King as he considers her the first performer to accept him as a real photographer; adding that King was responsible for his career.

Danielle Hunter was born on August 19th and is an entertainer based at Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis, though also resided, and performed in Orlando, Florida. Hunter holds several titles such as Miss Gay Illinois USofA 1991, Miss Tennessee Continental 1993, Miss Southern Nights Continental 1997, Miss Florida F.L. 1999, Miss North Carolina Continental 2000, Miss Continental 2000, Miss Gay Orlando 2002, Miss Tampa Bay USofA 2003, Miss Gay Missouri USofA 2006, Miss Continental Elite 2007, Miss Tri-County Legacy 2008, Miss Gay Florida USofA Classic 2010 and the National Entertainer of the Year, Fl. 2018. Her Drag daughter is Venus Envy and was a close friend of Carmella Marcella Garcia. Loc Robertson comments during the oral history interview pertaining to the collection of “Men in Heels” calendar that Hunter worked at Southern Nights during the calendar photoshoot and lived in the same apartment complex. He also commented that her tag line in Southern Nights was “The Bold & Beautiful Danielle Hunter.”

Carmella Marcella Garcia or known as the 'Grand Ole Gal of the South' was born in Brownsville, Kentucky on June 25th, 1962 as George Timothy Reed. Known for his multiple talents such as a Country/ Jazz vocalist and comedian, Reed's career augmented through drag performance which began in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1980's and flourished throughout several states; gaining popularity and being featured in television shows i.e. MTV, Comedy Central and others. While he traveled throughout the United States, he was a regular at Parliament House and Southern Nights in Orlando, Florida. Reed also raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations such and coached female pageant contestants in his later years. George Timothy Reed passed away in Bowling Green, Kentucky on October 15th, 2019 due to cancer. Carmella has obtain several titles and awards including Miss Parliament House, Miss Gay Florida USofA (1989), Miss Gay USofA at Large (1989), Miss Universe at Large (1992), Miss Continental Plus (1995) and others. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Rusti Fawcett Hurd was born in June 3rd 1957 and began performing drag right after high school in 1975. Hurd has received many titles and awards, with the first title as Miss Gay Orlando in 1977. Hurd also received Miss Gay Daytona, Miss Odds and Ends, Miss Memphis, Miss Dixieland, 1st runner up for Miss Florida at Large and first recipient of the Dana Manchester award.
His major influence was Miss P in which he states:
"Miss P / Paul Wegman was a major influence. When Bob Carr auditorium brought the Broadway series to Orlando he took me to see The Wiz. My introduction to Broadway. He also took me in and watched over me for many years. I refer to him as my drag mom." Rusti Fawcett used to work at Parliament House in the late 1980's and early 90's. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Dana Manchester (John Goodwin) was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 24, 1956 and moved to Panama City with his family when he was 19. Considered by many as the "First Lady of Florida", Dana Manchester was relentless in his support for gay charity events and regularly attended local fund-raising events for HIV/AIDS. He performed regularly in Ft. Lauderdale but also performed across the United States, such as Atlanta, New York and San Francisco. He passed away on February 01, 2000 from pneumonia at the age of 44.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Mr. Cris Cross was a female impersonator and performer at Parliament House Orlando on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Cross also considered himself a "Comedy Diva" as he never held any titles due to lack of pageantry in the 1950's, however he was presented the Living Legend Award. Considered by those who knew him, Mr. Cris Cross was filled with love and always maintained a great sense of humor. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Mr. Cris Cross was a female impersonator and performer at Parliament House Orlando on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Cross also considered himself a "Comedy Diva" as he never held any titles due to lack of pageantry in the 1950's, however he was presented the Living Legend Award. Considered by those who knew him, Mr. Cris Cross was filled with love and always maintained a great sense of humor. ]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>

Bobbie Lake was born in the Havana, Cuba and resides in the Tampa Bay area. Lake's reputation as a drag performer became known through her role as Eva Peron, along with Cinderella, Snow White and other impersonations. She has served as a Show Director and celebrity judge for various pagents across the state and has earned several titles and awards such as: Miss Lakeland (1987), Miss Gay Orlando (1988), Miss Florida F.L. (1991) and others. Lake continues to perform as Drag Entertainer for various venues.]]>
Image credit: Image courtesy of LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.
For all other purposes please email: floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com]]>