Photograph: "Darcel Stevens" (1996)
Dublin Core
Title
Photograph: "Darcel Stevens" (1996)
Description
Photograph of Darcel Stevens (headshot and full body) by Loc Robertson. Image was taken in Stevens apartment in Orlando.
Darcel Stevens whose name is Darnell was born in Crystal River, Florida and studied psychology at the University of Florida. During his early 20's Darnell was in the army and was also a member of the ROTC where he would commute two hours each to report to his post in the National Guard. Stevens' early encounter with drag was through needing money for books but an interest in performance and art began. Being mentored by other black queens helped Darnell come to terms with his identity as a gay man, but also helped protect him in the early years of his drag career. It was the early ‘90s and the AIDS epidemic was in full swing. Also, being a member of the ROTC, he was prohibited from being openly gay. Drag mothers, like Dede Williams and Diane Adams, took him under their wing and gave him a kind of secondary education. Stevens currently resides in Orlando where she is the MC for Parliament House, holding the torch of Miss P. She has received various titles and awards including: Miss National at Large 1999, Miss Large and Lovely 2007 and Continental Plus 2019.
Darcel Stevens whose name is Darnell was born in Crystal River, Florida and studied psychology at the University of Florida. During his early 20's Darnell was in the army and was also a member of the ROTC where he would commute two hours each to report to his post in the National Guard. Stevens' early encounter with drag was through needing money for books but an interest in performance and art began. Being mentored by other black queens helped Darnell come to terms with his identity as a gay man, but also helped protect him in the early years of his drag career. It was the early ‘90s and the AIDS epidemic was in full swing. Also, being a member of the ROTC, he was prohibited from being openly gay. Drag mothers, like Dede Williams and Diane Adams, took him under their wing and gave him a kind of secondary education. Stevens currently resides in Orlando where she is the MC for Parliament House, holding the torch of Miss P. She has received various titles and awards including: Miss National at Large 1999, Miss Large and Lovely 2007 and Continental Plus 2019.
Creator
Loc Robertson
Source
Drag Album
Publisher
Loc Robertson Photography
Contributor
Rodriguez, Alexis
Rights
"Images may be used for educational purposes only.
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"
Format
image/jpeg
Language
English
Type
Photograph
Coverage
Orlando
Date Available
7/4/2020
Date Created
1996
References
http://ourcommunityroots.com/?p=10863, https://watermarkonline.com/2018/03/01/an-homage-to-five-generations-of-black-entertainers-in-orlando/
Rights Holder
LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida
Files
Collection
Citation
Loc Robertson
, “Photograph: "Darcel Stevens" (1996),” LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida - Digital Archive, accessed April 26, 2024, https://floridalgbtqmuseum.omeka.net/items/show/704.
Comments