Sunday, March 18, 2018

Drag Queen Story Time: Meet Our Resident Queens!



Iona Mink (aka Rodd Sovar), GNI Miss Lace 2017
(Photo credit Brian Becnel)
 What is your name? Drag and otherwise?
1. Lucy Morals

2. Roux Bricque

3. Scrumptious

4. Justine Trouble

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka

6. Miss Anne Thrope, Dennis Birchall


Lucy Morals (aka Tim Gallagher), Miss Lace 2016
(Photo Credit Brian Becnel)
Welcome ladies! Do you mind sharing how long you have been doing drag?
1. Lucy: Off and on 10 plus years

2. Roux BricqueOn and off for about 25 years

3. Scrumptious: 6 years

4. Justine Trouble: A few years

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: Other than Halloween, Started at camp 2 yrs ago

6. I don't. I only did it to be part of the event.

Do you perform at any of your local bars, venues or clubs? Or do you only do drag for GNI?

1. Lucy: Have done some for gay chorus. This year, just GNI.

2. Roux Bricque I only do drag in my living room

3. Scrumptious: Only GNI

4. Justine Trouble: Justine primarily lives at GNI. Only on rare occasions does she escape camp. GNI is her home.

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: Only GNI

6. Miss Anne Thrope: Did drag at GNI. She's sealed away in a box in the top of the closet.

What made you start to perform in drag?

Justine Trouble (aka Brian Ballone),
GNI Miss Lace Contest 2016
(Photo Credit Brian Becnel)
1. Lucy: I enjoy the performance opportunity and the swish of a dress!

2. Roux BricqueI was in a production of La Cage au Folles and LOVED it!

3. Scrumptious: Viv! got me drunk and put a beehive on me.

4. Justine Trouble: As a tribute to Stormy Weathers. Justine is Stormy’s biggest VIP fan. 
P.S. Stormy if you’re reading this please don’t renew the restraining order.

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: Looked like fun...chance to perform.

6. Miss Anne Thrope: I was getting back to performing. In 2000, I did a song in the talent show. I figured I could put together another number for Miss Lace. I didn't realize that there wasn't a talent portion. But, all the contestants thought it was a great idea and we pulled together a fun show. It became very popular.

With the great success of RuPaul’s Drag Race over the years, what pros and cons do you see with drag becoming more mainstream and assimilating itself into mainstream pop culture if any?
Trixie May (r) hosts while Pickles takes the mic and Tourette
(aka Nick Roessler) stands by in awe,
Miss Lace Show 2016
(Photo credit Brian Becnel)


1. Lucy: Love that we are seeing more blurred lines of gender identity. More of my straight clients are thrilled to find out I perform and are big followers of the RuPaul show.

2. Roux Bricque There are no cons. Everyone loves a drag queen....don't they

3. Scrumptious: Sorry I'm usually drunk by the time that show is on... have never seen it ??

4. Justine Trouble: It’s going to be more difficult to find the perfect off the rack dress at Good Will though Justine’s primary resource for her wardrobe is eBay. However, bring on the newbies - what queen doesn’t love a new princess to climb over on her way to the top?

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: It is less of a statement...more art. Also with RPDR it ups the ante for performers. People are expecting that level of talent.

6. Miss Anne Thrope: Doesn't interest me personally but, I'm always happy to see the norms challenged and opportunities open up.

A lot of queens now are traveling and performing their own shows after their stint on Drag Race. If you had your own show or book what would it be called and why?

1. Lucy: Stopping the runway. To give more amateurs a chance to perform

2. Roux Bricque Spit out that gum!

3. Scrumptious: I'd have to think about it... a combination of Karen Walker, Patsy Stone and a “Far Side” character

4. Justine Trouble: The Incontinence Tour because once Justine is going...it flows right out.

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: Embracing Your Sass...because often the journey to drag is like mine...a journey of self-discovery/self acceptance.

6. Miss Anne Thrope: Not even a thought really!

Finally, now that we have gotten to know you a little bit more, can you talk to us about camp? Tell us about the drag community at camp if there is one! What makes it special for you? What makes you keep coming back?

Scrumptious (aka Jim Jacobs) hosts Viv's Salsa Party 2017
(Photo credit Brian Becnel)


1. Lucy: Love the support at camp. Giving everyone a chance to try new things in a non-judgmental environment. This year will be about 24 years attending. I have been crowned Mr GNI and Miss Lace. When I see friends there each year it is like we just saw each other yesterday. The camp is a great facility too. Love this place and bringing new people to check it out and drop their inhibitions.

2. Roux Bricque: I've never actually been to GNI. I hope to get there someday though!

3. Scrumptious: GNI is the only place where I can wear my Walgreen sundresses and drink cocktails out of my purse! I also enjoy the cute men too. Oh and the scrambled eggs are out of this world! Yum yum!

4. Justine Trouble: It’s hard to say that Justine keeps coming back because Justine just doesn’t leave the camp. It’s more like you guys keep coming back to me. Justine is just so misunderstood outside the confines of camp where it’s easy to “let it flow, let it flow. Don’t hold it back anymore”. Justine just knows that she can be herself and say “I don’t care what your going to say” and then just do it! Plus Justine is proud to make her home with the hot leather men of the Pocono Eagle in the Leather Barracks. They respect her true color...yellow!

5. Matt ‘Sassy’ Slomka: Camp is a playground...try something new on and if it feels right. Go with it. You will never find a more supportive place to discover yourself.

6. Miss Anne Thrope: I don't think there is a “Drag Community” at the Gathering. It's an event for people to participate in. I go to The Gathering to see friends!
GNI's beloved, Miss Hazel, GNI Miss Lace 2012, appearing at Miss Lace 2016
(Photo credit Brian Becnel)