Photograph: "Headshot of Billie Boots"
Dublin Core
Title
Photograph: "Headshot of Billie Boots"
Description
Image headshot of Drag performer Billie Boots (information pertaining to the image remains unknown).
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.
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.
Creator
Unknown
Source
Drag Album
Publisher
Unknown
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
Unknown
Date Available
6/30/2020
Date Created
Unknown
Rights Holder
LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida
Files
Citation
Unknown, “Photograph: "Headshot of Billie Boots",” LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida - Digital Archive, accessed March 27, 2023, https://floridalgbtqmuseum.omeka.net/items/show/715.
Comments