By all accounts, Lady Bunny is probably the most important living contributor to the art of irreverent drag in the USA.  But despite that, her serious side is less known.  Take a peek at Bunny’s deeper thoughts before her two shows in Wilton Manors this weekend.

By Mike Jeknavorian 

Where did you grow up?  In Chattanooga, Tennessee.  What do you miss about it there?  Grits…?  My mom’s cooking…?  I don’t miss much, and I haven’t been back in a decade.  It was a stable environment to grow up in, but a little dull for a thrill seeker like me.  Where can you get the best southern food?  You can get it many places here in New York, but they never get the coleslaw right.  I like it with sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise and grated carrots.  Since you’ve been in New York City since 1984, do you consider yourself more a southerner or a New Yorker?  My mom claims that she must be very approachable, since strangers often stop her for directions.  I’m awful with directions, but I must be approachable like mom.  I don’t think that’s a bad thing.  In fact, Southerners are a lot of fun to be with.  Until they get into the voting booth!  I haven’t left New York City since I moved here in 1983, so I’m definitely a New Yorker—but with a Southern twang. 

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Although New York has changed a lot since the 1980s and 1990s, what’s still unique about it that most don’t realize?  It’s one of America’s few walking cities, with an outrageous street scene, and great people-watching.  I’ve always had a theory that passing by all kinds of people is very humanizing.  Every day I pass Muslims, Jews, trans people, handicapped people, straight jocks, homeless and tourists from all over.  Down South, we would get bottles thrown at us from cars as the drivers yelled anti-gay slurs.  Seeing people face-to-face opens your eyes and you realize things like, “Well, she has on a hijab, which I may not fully understand, but she is snatching that video game out of her kid’s hands just like any other mother would.”  What New York venue do you miss that’s gone?  Palladium, The World, Tunnel, Splash, Mars, Building, Limelight, BoyBar, Sound Factory Bar, Sally’s Hideaway and Jackie 60.  There are so many!  When you’re out of drag, where do you hang out in New York to unwind?  At a massage parlor!  Carrying those big wigs on your head, twisted up in girdles, and prancing in heels can really work up some kinks which need to be released regularly.  And no, I’m not talking about a massage with a “happy ending” (laughs).   

Either living or dead, who’s your favorite New York queen?  Ethyl Eichelberger took her own life decades ago, but she was always so nurturing to others.  She taught me how to put on lashes and was a terrific performer.  She go-go danced on the bar at The Pyramid with the rest of us, but she would also put on original plays which the NY Times would review.  So she also taught us the possibilities of drag outside of nightclubs.  Who’s the most underrated drag performer?  In New York City?  Sugga Pie Koko.  She’s absolutely hysterical, but is sometimes overlooked because she’s not the prettiest.  But in my view, variety is key.  You can have ten glamazons in your cast who look astounding, but the comedy booger-queen can bring the house down in a $10 dress and sneakers.  Other than yourself, who do you think has made the biggest contribution to the art of drag?  Definitely Divine.  RuPaul is certainly up there.  And Bianca Del Rio is taking things to a whole new level with her sheer talent.  As long as the material is scripted, and not some Michael Richards-type rant, do you think that a comic can go too far?  I like it when comics go far, or I wouldn’t like Bianca!  And my own comedy is very raunchy and not suited for everyone.  But my attitude is that if you don’t like something, don’t watch it.  But don’t try to shut it down.  There’s such a thing as freedom of speech, so we can say whatever we like.  But there may be repercussions. 

Should Kevin Hart have quit the Oscars?  I’m not a fan of Kevin or the Oscars, so I could care less.  Do I wish Kevin hadn’t made anti-gay slurs?  Sure.  But do I believe in his freedom of speech?  Sure.  The issue with him is that you can’t cross the line and get the big jobs.  Do you think that social media is doing more harm than good?  It’s lovely to share photos with your friends all over the world with a click, and it has many other benefits, like instant marketing.  But social media is like the new nightclub, and now clubs have closed because we keep in touch online.  I do think it’s important to see people face-to-face.  For those who refuse to even speak on the phone, all of their contact is electronic.  I don’t think that that’s healthy.  Who’s your favorite comic?  George Carlin, because he spoke hard truths and somehow made them funny.  Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now?  I worked at various fast food places and ice cream counters, so none of them were too big a help!  If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered?  As someone who was honest and loved to laugh and dance. 

What do you want to live long enough to see?  Medicare for all.  Will you ever retire?  It’s doubtful.  I can’t do anything else.  And with my limited skills, the tech world certainly won’t be calling.  What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? Someone once asked me if I wanted to “hump his stump.”  I asked, “With my pump?”  What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around?  Patti Labelle!  I couldn’t help it.  What’s the last thing that you looked at online?  Tickets to Puerto Rico, where I’ll vacation after my two gigs at The Pub.  What’s the best place that you’ve visited?  I love Amsterdam.  What’s the last thing that you watched on TV?  TCM.  What’s the craziest thing that you ever did?  Got drunk, lost my keys, and barreled through my window!  I woke up covered in blood.  What’s your favorite book?  Little Me.  What’s the best concert that you ever went to?  My first Patti Labelle concert in New York City.  She was wearing that hairdo ironed up into a crown shape.  Do you still have your childhood blanket or stuffed animal?  No, just some comic books, which my mom is dying to throw away.  What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older?  That high heels screw up your feet, knees, back, and sometimes hips (laughs).  What did you learn from your parents?  That war was usually wrong. 

Who’s your favorite performer?  Still Patti!  What’s your best characteristic?  I’m very loyal to friends. How do you enjoy spending your time?  I’m a news junkie who also loves sex!  What celebrity do you have a crush on?  Colin Kaepernick!  Who do you admire?  Charo.  If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be?  I really don’t think in those terms, because I don’t and won’t ever have that ability.  I loved Penny Marshall, though!  Where would you go in a time machine?  To London’s Carnaby Street in the swinging 60s.  What would your last meal be?  Probably fried shrimp!  What do you worry about?  The ignorance that our schools and news are feeding us.  What are you afraid of?  The actions of those who buy whatever they’re sold.  Critical thinking is dying.  If you were a musical instrument, what would you be?  The drums!  Are you more like a sheep or a wolf?  I’m definitely not meek or a follower like a sheep, but I hope that I’m not as aggressive and frightening as a wolf.  Who are you closest with?  My mom.  What would your autobiography be called?  The Lady is a Tramp.  What’s on your bucket list?  I’d love to see the pyramids of Egypt before I’m in a diaper.  Where can we see you?  On my website, or live and in person at The Pub on January 4 and January 6.  I can’t wait to be back there!