Divalicious, Xicano Sol [reading well txt] 📗

The co-gender youth group was at the completion of its first year and over that time period I noticed the creation of certain cliques within the group. One of the most prominent was that of young men who didn’t seem to quite fit in with the others. At first glance some might think that it was because they were more effeminate than the other Gay boys in the group, but it was more than that observation. They were starting to experiment with make-up and wigs and it set them apart from the others. I knew that they were embarking on a journey that needed someone special who could possibly help mentor their transformations.

I ran across an acquaintance of mine that had created quite a name for himself in the performance art world as one of the original Chola Drag Queens. From the super-exaggerated feathered hair to his white frosted eye shadow and dark outlined lips, he was someone confident in the art of transformation. With over thirty years of cross-dressing experience his Chola Drag persona placed him in a league of his own. I asked if he would be willing to host weekend workshops for a group of young people who needed a role model in the art of drag. He agreed and we created a curriculum from make-up tips to the best way to comb out a wig that sparked the interest of those youth that didn’t quite fit in with the others.

We entitled the workshop series “Divalicious” and it was geared to sculpting the inner Diva within. It was beautiful to see the guidance of their transformations from someone who understood the process and came from a place of acceptance as opposed to judgment. I observed the workshops from a close distance and was amazed to be reminded just how much we have to offer one another as a result of our unique experience.

Publication Date: 01-13-2012

All Rights Reserved