Oh darlings, let’s waltz down memory lane with a sprinkle of fabulousness and a dash of sass! Imagine navigating your youth with an evolving identity on the femme end of the LGBTQ spectrum—it’s like trying to find your way through a glittery labyrinth with only a matchstick for light. Picture me as a young, spirited soul, peeking into the pink toy aisle of a department store, surrounded by Barbie Dolls, sparkly wands, and those oh-so-glamorous plastic heels. I’d sashay through that aisle, dreaming of a world where everything was as fabulously divine as I was. But alas, that innocent thrill quickly turned into a ballet of self-consciousness, with every step feeling like a spotlight was trained on me.

In the bygone days, when the world hadn’t quite grasped the concept of gender diversity, being anything other than straight and traditionally gendered was as shocking as a surprise drag act at a garden party. The brave pioneers like Martha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were setting the stage ablaze with the Stonewall Riots, carving a path for Pride. Yet, many were still clinging to outdated norms like a pair of too-tight stilettos. If anyone suspected their child might be “abnormal” (read: FABULOUS), it was either repressed or met with gasps as if they’d stumbled upon a unicorn in their living room.

But hold your sequins! The transformation over the last five years has been nothing short of a glitter explosion! The once-closed doors are now flung open, inviting us all into a shimmering embrace. Sure, it’s confusing—like trying to dance in a sequined masquerade ball when you’re used to dodging daggers behind those sparkling hugs. It’s hard to shake off the skepticism when your existence has been questioned from the start. But don’t worry, darling—things are catching up to our fabulous reality, albeit slowly.

Ah, the capital R Revolutionaries and everyday heroes who’ve strutted their stuff in defiance of adversity! Every act of courage—be it coming out, holding hands, or marching in Pride parades—has made us more visible and real to the mainstream. The gap between growing up with an identity celebrated and one that’s barely acknowledged is as wide as the Grand Canyon. Hence, Pride celebrations are as vital as a pair of killer stilettos in a queen’s wardrobe. We celebrate not just our fabulous selves but our survival and triumph over trials.

As a young drag diva, the guidance of family was crucial, though rarely perfect (let’s be real, growing up is never a smooth runway). For those of us yearning to explore our identities without facing rejection or danger, outside influences became our lifelines. In our formative years, these were often magical, glamorous figures. Later, they became adults who are either part of the LGBTQ spectrum or allies so accepting they offer a glimpse of a world where we can truly thrive. Today’s queer celebrities and activists light up the path, from young queer YouTubers to out-and-proud icons, expanding understanding and acceptance. In my youth, such guiding lights were as rare as a pig in pearls!

I recall with fondness my adoration for Dolly Parton and Diana Ross—symbols of power and femininity that were like beacons in a foggy sea. And Elizabeth Taylor, who stood by Rock Hudson and battled AIDS-related hate, was a whirlwind of compassion. It was quite the journey for a young soul trying to carve out a place in a world that often seemed indifferent.

Then came Madonna—the ultimate diva of defiance! She was a thunderstorm of empowerment, using her career to champion gay rights when the world was far less accepting. Madonna, with her blend of sensitivity, ambition, and unapologetic glamour, was the big sister I never had, using her fabulousness to challenge the status quo. Her fierce energy made patriarchal oppression seem like yesterday’s news.

And now, let’s turn our attention to the fabulous Miss Piggy! Yes, darlings, La Pig herself! First brought to life by Richard Hunt, then Frank Oz, and now the clever Eric Jacobson, Miss Piggy is the embodiment of ALL WOMAN, ALL PIG, and pure diva essence. With her comic flair and mesmerizing contradictions, she is the ultimate celebration of feminine power. As she famously quips, “Hating me won’t make you pretty.”

Throughout my life, I’ve encountered a mixed bag of straight men—some as foes, others as dear friends. And let me tell you, there’s a pattern. Some revel in the diva’s power, while others are less enthusiastic. They might appreciate Miss Piggy’s comedic brilliance but struggle to embrace her full representation. The Muppets, with their lovable clumsiness, are like endearing philosophers, while Miss Piggy is the dazzling, ambitious diva who loves passionately and defends fiercely. She’s a kaleidoscope of fashion and mood swings, perpetually reinventing herself with a flair that’s both grounded and fantastically delusional. As she puts it, “You can’t go wrong with a little bit of sparkle and a whole lot of attitude.”

Her journey from a muddy sty to international superstardom is a fairy tale of glamour triumphing over adversity. For LGBTQ folks, escapism isn’t merely entertainment; it’s essential. It’s about embracing our inner light when the dominant culture often feels like a masquerade. Drag, in all its fabulous forms, reveals the timeless power of femininity and exposes the patriarchy’s fears and envies. Even when performed by straight men, drag magnifies the incredible essence of femininity.

So, let’s celebrate Miss Piggy—the divine diva who embodies the contradictions of identity and the enduring power of the feminine. Whether through her dazzling fashion, her glamorous defiance, or her loving yet fierce heart, she remains a beacon of empowerment and a testament to the dazzling magic that is us! Remember, “I am not a pig! I am a lady!” In this grand cabaret of life, we’re all just stars waiting for our moment to shine!

Darling, if there’s one thing Joan Rivers knew how to do, it was to grab life by the rhinestones and give it a good shake. Born on June 8, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Joan was the epitome of trailblazing. The early 1960s found her cracking jokes and barriers alike, her stand-up act as sharp as her famous shoulder pads.

Joan’s breakthrough came when she took the stage on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Imagine the audacity! In 1973, she sashayed in as the first female guest host, and honey, that was just the beginning. This historic moment wasn’t just a feather in her cap; it was a whole peacock’s tail. It led to “The Joan Rivers Show,” a television escapade that ran from 1989 to 1993 and snagged her a Daytime Emmy Award. Oh, but she didn’t stop there. No, Joan made herself an icon in fashion commentary with “E! Fashion Police,” where her no-holds-barred critiques made headlines—and had everyone quaking in their couture.

Yet, behind the glam and the glitter, Joan’s life wasn’t always a walk down the red carpet. The tragic loss of her husband, Edgar Rosenberg, in 1987 left a void that she bravely navigated with candor. Her raw honesty about her personal battles endeared her to many, making her both relatable and resilient.

Now, let’s talk about Joan’s comedic approach, which was, let’s be honest, a bit like a rollercoaster designed by Salvador Dalí. Her humor, while groundbreaking, was also a lightning rod for controversy. Joan was known for her razor-sharp celebrity jabs. Her quips about Elizabeth Taylor’s marital escapades or the fashion faux pas of the rich and famous were sometimes as biting as her bejeweled microphone. And don’t get me started on her jokes about sex and gender—those were the sort that left some people clutching their pearls and others roaring with laughter.

Of course, Joan had her critics. Some thought her jokes about sensitive topics—like 9/11 or the Holocaust—were in the poorest taste, while others were taken aback by her comments on race and gender. Yet, Joan was a staunch defender of her style, insisting that comedy should be a free-for-all, a place where boundaries are meant to be pushed.

In the realm of praise, Joan had her cheerleaders, too. Johnny Carson, despite their complicated history, recognized her talent, saying she had an “ability to communicate and be funny in a way that is rare.” David Letterman also applauded her fearlessness, noting she was “brave and brilliant.”

However, the criticism didn’t exactly skip past her. David Edelstein remarked that Joan’s willingness to cross lines often landed her in “uncomfortable territory,” and Ben Brantley from the New York Times noted that her bravado could sometimes come off as plain old meanness.

But let’s not forget the legacy Joan left behind. Despite the controversies, she was a pioneer for female comedians. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, put it perfectly: “My mother broke so many barriers.” And following her death in 2014, even President Obama paid tribute, acknowledging Joan as a “pioneer in comedy” whose “bold humor and unflinching honesty will be remembered.”

And darling, here’s a delightful tidbit from “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work”: Joan once faced off with a designer known for avant-garde fashion that looked like it had been designed in a kaleidoscope. As the designer braced for Rivers’ critique, Joan took one look and quipped, “I’ve seen better designs come out of a blindfolded paint-by-numbers kit.” The designer, shocked yet composed, took it in stride, and Joan, ever the master of the jibe, added, “Fashion is all about making statements, and you’ve certainly made one. Let’s just hope it’s not a call to the fashion police!”

This anecdote encapsulates Joan’s knack for mixing humor with a hefty dose of honesty, keeping both audiences and designers on their toes. Joan Rivers was a force of nature—part genius, part provocateur, and all fabulous. Her legacy, like her humor, will always spark conversation, a testament to a woman who truly lived and laughed larger than life.