Florida Agenda

Jai Rodriguez Talks Summer Shorts Theatre Festival

Jai Rodriguez, who made a name for himself on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, is showcasing his comedic and dramatic acting skills this summer for the sunny South Florida audience. After many years on the Broadway stages of New York and making several guest appearances on popular television shows, Jai is currently headlining the 2011 Summer Shorts Theatre Festival. The festival, which will be in the Carnival Studio Theater at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts through June 26 and at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale from June 30 – July 3, features nine short plays with Jai along with several other actors and also features three late-night performances of Rodriguez’ solo show Dirty Little Secrets. Jai recently spoke with The Agenda about the upcoming Summer Shorts Festival, expanding his acting chops and shedding his ‘Queer Eye’ image.

You will be in South Florida for the entire month of June for the Summer Shorts. What can we expect?

Well, I’m very excited to be down in South Florida this summer. I’m very much looking forward to it. With the “Summer Shorts,” you can expect several short plays that range anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Each of the short plays is different and all are a mix of comedy and drama, and I also get to work with other actors. Dirty Little Secrets is my solo show with music and stories about all kinds of things that I get to dish the dirt on.

How does performing in several different plays at one time help expand your range as an actor?

It’s just a continuation of what I’ve been doing the past several years. I’ve starred on Broadway with Rent and The Producers and have also guest starred on shows like Nip/Tuck. I also recently did a guest appearance on Kathy Bates’ new show Murphy’s Law. It was a very meaty role. It’s one of the biggest acting roles I’ve ever taken on. I finally got to show on television what most New Your City theatre audiences already knew I could do.

What was it like working with Kathy Bates on the show?

Just from the table read alone, she was very professional and welcoming to the guest stars. When you’re around a legend like that and someone who has been in the business so long, it’s a great experience. In the mornings, I wouldn’t say hi to her first — I would always wait for her to talk to me first. But she was very warm, interesting and complex.

With playing gay roles early on or with your role on Queer Eye, did you ever think you would be pigeonholed as just being able to play one type of role?

I don’t think if you make a gay film, or if you star in a gay show, you should be pigeonholed or how people see you forever. I think it’s ridiculous, but it does happen. That’s what makes it harder for gay actors to come out. They still have bills to pay and have to find work. It’s easy to say that certain actors should do the right thing and come out, but they are the ones that need to keep their career.

What do you look for the most when choosing a role?

Well, in the last year and half I’ve really been looking at more and more scripts, and I am shocked at the diversity of roles that are available for gay actors. You don’t have to be the punch line anymore — you don’t have to be a cliché. The character might just happen to be gay and have nothing to do with the story line. But at the same time, I’m not going in for the roles for they guy who jumps out of a plane and lands on a bus. That’s just not really in my skill set. I mainly look for roles that will stretch me and challenge me as a person. But one thing I did learn from Kathy Griffin is that you should never turn down work. It’s a very competitive market.

Has it been hard to shed your image from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy? Is that something you hope to continuously break away from as you move forward in your career?

In the past couple of years, I haven’t been asked about it as much. I’ve had beard or stubble for the last few years, so I kind of look different. I also have a lot of tattoos now. I definitely walk into the room now with a familiar presence, but they might not be able to pinpoint me as “the guy from Queer Eye”. In the scripted community, it really hasn’t come up in the last year-and-a-half. It’s not really a show that’s on people’s radar anymore. They will remember it if you talk about it, but it really hasn’t affected my scripted work — thank God! For me now, it’s all about presenting who I’m trying to play as soon as I walk in the room.

Jai Rodriguez is an actor and musician best known as the culture guide on the Bravo network’s Emmy-winning American reality television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He has also co-authored a book with the other Queer Eye hosts. He will be headlining the 2011
Summer Shorts Theatre Festival in Miami through June 26.

Photo: Matinée presents Ibiza Rising at Universal Studios Beats by DJ Hector Fonseca Saturday, June 4th

By Charlie Rockafort

Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful. Once a runway model, Hector Fonseca has transformed himself into one of America’s hottest DJs. In addition to headlining some of the most important parties around the world –New York’s Black Party, Miami’s Winter Party, and Circuit Festival in Barcelona – Hector has released two top selling compilation albums and remixes for pop artists like Katy Perry, Kelis and Lady Gaga. The matinee idol returns to Gay Days on June 4th to spin the ultimate dance event of the summer, Matinée presents Ibiza Rising at Universal Studios.

Tell us a bit about your spinning style – what can we expect at Ibiza Rising?

Expect the unexpected! I’m all about live mixing and re-mixing. I tend to play tribal progressive with vocal samples and classics worked in. I also preview remixes and productions I have been working on. I never play the same set twice so my dance floor is always a unique experience.

What are you most proud of in your career?

My production work. There are a lot of DJs out there. I can honestly say I bring something unique to the table with my original music. It’s rare in this business and I’m proud of it.

What is it like to be a Matinee idol?

I can’t complain! I’m very fortunate to do what I love.

Have your looks ever gotten in the way?

When I started dj’ing, people looked down on the fact that I had been a model. That made me work really hard on my music with less focus on my image.

Let’s talk about your music. What are you working on now?

I am now doing official remixes for artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, but that’s not where it ends for me. I would like to write some original music for them someday and win awards for it.

With all of your success, do you worry you may have reached your peak?

While I’ve done a lot in a relatively short amount of time, I definitely have not peaked. I look at my predecessors like Danny Tenaglia, Victor Calderone and Abel and I know I have not reached their level. I am on my way, though. Finish the sentence: A good night out starts with… A sexy beat. It ends with… A sexy someone you meet.

Debra Hampton is an award-winning performer who, over the years, has worked with some of the biggest selling recording artists of all time. She has toured the world and has a repertoire steeped in the “Great American Songbook”, including the Classics of Motown, R&B, unlikely gems, contemporary standards all finished in the glow of Debra’s own exquisite original compositions. The Agenda caught up with the formidable chanteuse as she prepares for her Big Birthday Bash on Sunday!

You are having your Birthday bash on Sunday, how exciting.
I’m beyond excited. I’ve spent the last year of my life creating my new showplace, Hollywood Events, so it could be ready for my 38th birthday bash on May 1. (Ok, my 48th – whatever!)

Tell us more about the grand opening of Hollywood Events.

It will be an evening of great entertainment with people I’ve worked with and admired, like Mickey Havens, Nicky Adams, Joe Posa (as Joan Rivers), David McBride and others, along with wonderful food and surprises.

I’m proud to be opening Hollywood Events. It’s an elegant event hall; the décor is antique mixed with a contemporary style. We have two beautiful bars, a stage, nice lighting and sound system, dance room and seating and a private dressing room.

A lot of love went into this place; I’d love for you to stop by and check it out. It’s a great place for hosting parties,
seminars, wedding or fundraisers. I’m also offering it to other entertainers  that have a following so they may also put on their own events. We can also accommodate you with hotel rooms.

How long have you been performing in Wilton Manors?

I’ve been performing in this wonderful community for over 6 years. I’ve gone from Hamburger Mary’s, where I lost the title of “Hamburger Mary” to a drag queen (even though they say I’m a drag queen in a female body), to Dudes, where I performed with lots of almost naked guys, to Chardees, The Mix, Galanga, Scandals, Monkey Business and now at the Alibi every Tuesday, and MoJo on Wednesdays.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

I love the variety of music that I am able to perform in front of the most appreciative audiences imaginable in South Florida. I love seeing my audience react to songs arranged in new and creative ways by my long-time producer Eddie Montilla, who works with stars like Queen Latifah, Little Wayne and Usher.

What is the benefit with working within the gay community?

The joy of acceptance and affection. I think the gay audiences can relate to me and vice versa, because there is admiration for our unique styles … plus, I get to be “NASTY” at times, knowing it is ok with my audience.

You have a line of personal greetings cards. What made you come up with the idea? How are they doing?

My greeting cards are the result of my love of the process of song writing. I love the collaboration with others in producing songs that directly cover different occasions … from break up to make up, from birthdays to condolences, my line of greeting cards combines original songs on a CD inserted into a greeting card. The cards are geared toward all relationships. Channel 7 news featured them on their Styles section.

Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?

None that I’ve encountered, other than not being “hit on” too often (just kidding … I’m an old married lady with a great hubby who even allowed me to donate all of our wedding loot to Tuesday’s Angels.)

When you look back over your career here, what has been the  highlight?

Having my sweet mommy live to see me perform for large audiences. (She passed recently and I miss her sweet face … whenever I sing “I’m Tired” from Blazing Saddles I channel that Fraulein, my mother).

Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?

When a rubber outfit I was wearing slipped below my nips and no one told me and I performed for a half hour not knowing … well you can imagine the rest …

What social influences do you think affect your popularity and how do you think your show helps the community.

Having lived in the 60′s and right up through Lady Gaga. I have been blessed to be able to sing so many different types of music without sounding dated. People seem to compare me with Bette Midler and I am flattered. I have been influenced by so many entertainers and the issues they confronted in their lives. I think my benefit shows like Stonewall and “Broward Bares It” have been most rewarding. Volunteering is inspiring to keep the spirit going until there is full equality for everyone.

Tell Agenda readers a bit more about your long awaited CD “Night Secrets”.

“Night Secrets” is a sexy collection of tunes that set a mood. The CD is romantic and mellow with foreplay, during play and after-play as a theme. I love turning men on … all men!

So what’s next for Debra?

Lots of events at my new show place and a brand new show called “Boobalicious”.

Debra’s Birthday Bash May 1st at 7:30pm Hollywood Events 101 North Ocean Drive,  Suite 132, Hollywood FL (954) 929-9494

By ALEX VAUGHN

Renée Richards was an American ophthalmologist, author and former professional tennis player. In 1975, Richards underwent sex reassignment surgery.

She is famously known for initially being denied entry into the 1976 US Open by the United States Tennis Association, citing an unprecedented women-born-women policy. She disputed the ban and, in a landmark 1977 decision for transgender rights, the New York Supreme Court ruled in her favor.  The USTA was forbidden from forcing her to submit to chromosal testing before allowing her to play.

Richards, who is Jewish, was born in New York City and named Richard Raskind, and raised, in her own words,  as “a nice Jewish boy”. Raskind reached the final of the men’s national 35-and-over tennis championships in 1972. Raskind was referred to surgeon Roberto C. Granato, Sr. by Harry Benjamin and successfully transitioned in 1975.

Richards played from 1977 to 1981. She was ranked as high as 20th overall (February 1979), and her highest ranking at the end of a year was 22nd (1977). In her first professional event as a female, she was a finalist in women’s doubles (with Betty Ann Stuart, 1977) and continued to have a successful career afterward.
She later coached Martina Navratilova to two Wimbledon wins and was inducted into the USTA Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000.

Agenda sat down with Renée to discuss her life on the cusp of the premiere of the most comprehensive documentary about her to date, entitled simply, Renée. The film is one of the anchor films of the 2011 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere in April.

There has been a misconception that you had your sex change so that you could play women’s professional tennis. If that’s not the case, could you explain further what changed your mind about being an eye doctor and instead going on to the women’s professional tour, and eventually the US Open?

Do you think anyone in their right or wrong mind would have a sex change just to be a tennis player! I played tennis successfully before the sex change. In fact, in my younger days I was the quintessential amateur sportsman.I had the sex change because I was compelled to do so. There were many factors: Nurture, nature, hormones and genetics. There were all kinds of influences.

Was there a point at which you decided to become a pioneer, or did  it evolve and eventually become a passion?

In spite of my efforts after my sex change to live a quiet normal life in Newport, California, I got found out because I played some tennis at my Country Club. I was warned to stay off the courts! Though I didn’t see the need to avoid my passion – I couldn’t help my identity.
I suppose I became a pioneer when I decided to fight, a lot of people told me to go ahead, as I was representing not just transsexuals but those facing any kind of discrimination.

Do you still feel that passion?

Yes, I don’t regret my decision to have the sex change. However, it did change my life. I was on my way to ‘woodworking’ into my new life. Nowadays woodworking [blending into society] is not necessary, as there are so many transsexuals going on TV.
Once I was found out, I knew I had a choice: Continue my practice or play
tennis.

Who did you lean on during this time?  Who supported you?

I had a lot of support from within the tennis community. Jean from Tennis Week arranged the infamous Orange Court Tournament. They even had a special tournament for me in Hawaii.

Billy Jean King was instrumental in helping me win my case. She provided an Affidavit that I believe sealed the deal. She said she saw no reason why I
shouldn’t be allowed to play, that I was a woman in my mind and body and that she had played a couple of doubles with me. We were in the courtroom and the judge was wading through the affidavits from the other side. He asked my lawyers if they had any. We said, ‘yes, from Billy Jean King’. He nearly jumped out of his seat.
Martina Navratilova said to me after she beat me at a match, “Renée, keep up the fight. You are going to make it”. That was a tremendous encouragement.

You have been credited with turning Martina’s career around.

I do get a lot of credit, I only accept some. It was a wonderful experience coaching her.

That support must have helped in the fight.  Yes, I would say a lot of the reason I pushed so strongly was because I was told I couldn’t do it. I am obstinate, so that is the worst thing you could say to me. I was warned to just stay in Newport and play tennis at the club.  Maybe I would have preferred that. I was told by friends not to become a public enemy.

When you decided to become a pro tennis player, you legitimized transsexuals in sports. How do you feel about that?

I am proud of what I have done and I don’t regret my sex change; however the ruling was for me as an older individual, not for all transsexuals still to come.

Do you give any weight to the idea of competitive advantage?

Well yes, I was forty one when I won the right to play. If I had been given that right at twenty, it would have been incredibly unfair.

How do you feel about the young woman from Germany playing tennis, and the young woman on LPGA tour? What advice do you have for them?

As I said, I would be aware of the competitive advantage. I don’t even feel I am best place to give advice. The ruling for me was as an individual – it was not a blanket ruling. I get into trouble when giving advice. There was a mountain biker and I said she should do it for fun, not as a competitive sport because she would have been too strong.

How did winning the right to play impact you?

It changed my life. I was somewhat unprepared for the slings and arrows I encountered.

How would you like to be remembered?

I don’t think as a pioneer. As a good person, a good parent, a good doctor and a good tennis player. I have regrets about making that fateful decision to carry on the fight. Mainly my loss of privacy. Looking back there are some regrets, but not a lot. My life would have been a lot different as a private citizen. I had been a very private person in my former life.

You have a movie coming out. How is this different from other pieces done on you?

It is terrific. I know I will be back in the public eye again. I have a beautiful gown for the premier. I am extremely excited. This is by far the most thorough documentary on me. The director has spent two and half years interviewing my friends and family and professionals from the tennis community. Both those against and for me.

A documentary about Renée Richards, titled Renée, is one of the anchor films of the 2011 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival in April.

Comedian Tony Tripoli

By TROY MAILLIS

Tony Tripoli: I Sh*t My Pants!
(An Evening of Sophisticated Stand-Up)
Andrews Living Arts
23 NW 5th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Tickets: (954) 647-2409
Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 PM
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 & 9 PM
Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7PM

Comedian/actor Tony Tripoli, who has shared on-screen laughs with household firecrackers such as Kathy Griffin, Charlie Sheen and Bo Derek, is everything you want in a comedian and more. And he will make sure you know it! Andrews Living Arts and 4 The Sea Productions present “Tony Tripoli: I Sh*t My Pants!” (An Evening of Sophisticated Stand-Up) Dec. 17-19. In addition to stand up, he currently writes jokes for “Fashion Police” with Joan Rivers. Tony joked with Agenda about his upcoming show and why you will ‘sh*t’ your pants.

AGENDA: You have a show coming up in Fort Lauderdale next week. Can you talk about the show and what we can expect?

TONY: I am very excited. It’s going to be a really fun time. The show is called “Tony Tripoli: I Sh*t My Pants!” It’s practically and operetta. It’s just embarrassing, true tales of disasters happening in my life. I will say things that are so shocking and so ‘inside’ Hollywood. It’s my story of a single 40 year old gay guy living in West Hollywood.

AGENDA: When did you know that comedy was your thing? Was it something that you always knew you wanted to do or did it just happen?

TONY: I think it happened in a way similar to a lot of other comics. I was always a pain in the ass and I just found a way to make money off of it. One of the things that’s wonderful about me is I have opinions about everything regardless of whether I know anything about that topic. Since I was little, I have always been a mouthy person. I was that kid in the grocery store who would see a handicapped person and yell, “Hey look at that retarded person.” Basically I’m still doing that. Now it’s just my job.

AGENDA: Have you always been an openly gay comedian and actor? Were there any obstacles as a result?

TONY: I’ve always been completely openly gay and out of the closet. Let’s be honest, I didn’t have a lot of other choices. From across the room no one is going to think I’m a lumberjack. My television agents know not to submit me for any commercials or sitcoms unless the role is a gay role. With straight roles, I spend the whole time trying not to “walk that way” or “talk that way” and it takes all the fun out of it. There is a lot of bullshit you have to go through to actually get to perform, but once you are finally performing that’s the good part. So to do something that will take the fun out of it—why would you do that to yourself ?

AGENDA: What has it been like working with Kathy Griffin and Joan Rivers? Have they taught you a lot in your own career?

TONY: Kathy Griffin and I worked together and were best friends for about 10 years. There were times we would sit around and watch television and throw jokes around. I would eventually hear some of the jokes when she would perform, and I would remember back to when that funny joke or story was created in the room. It was thrilling. That was enough for me, and I never thought I would do stand-up myself; but my mom kept insisting that I should do it. I eventually did one night of stand-up at a benefit just so I could call my mother and say, “Look, I’m finally going to do stand-up.” My whole family flew in to watch me tell my story, and I thought that would be it. But when I walked off stage that night, I thought that it was the most fun I’d ever had. When you are doing stand-up, an editor, director, writer or producer can’t come in a change anything and take out the parts you like. You as the stand-up comedian becomes all of those roles. That kind of control is thrilling for someone who is pushy like me. It was the greatest thing. I hate to admit it, but my mother was right. I’ve been doing stand-up ever since.

AGENDA: How does it work on a show like “Fashion Police,” and what other projects are you working on moving into 2011 ?

TONY: With “Fashion Police” it’s a conversation between four people: Giuliana Rancic, George Kotsiopoulos, Kelly Osbourne and comedy legend Joan Rivers. It’s like Joan is hosting a little cocktail party. There are a few of us who write jokes for Joan the night before the show. We all sit around and laugh and laugh and laugh; and Joan laughs harder than anyone. Joan and I eventually go through the jokes and rank them based on what that show has time for. While the show is happening, I help guide her on how many jokes she can tell. One of the most amazing things I can tell you about Joan is that she is one the most generous audience members. She absolutely wants to be knocked off of her chair with laughter. She loves when someone else is on a roll and being hilarious. She’s a delight in every possible way.

I have big plans with Joan for 2011 and will be opening for her on the road. You can check out tonytripoli.com for all of the details.

Candidate for State Representative, District 92

(Photo courtesy of Justin Flippen for Florida House 92)

By BOB KECSKEMETY
Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Justin Flippen is running in the Democratic primary for District 92, Florida State Representative. Earlier this week I had an opportunity to ask Justin a few questions.

Florida Agenda: You call yourself a public servant and not a politician. What is it about politics that makes you uncomfortable with the term ‘politician’?

Justin Flippen: To me, the term politician is a person who is concerned mainly with power and that’s not what I’m interested in. My faith, family and values
taught me when I was a younger child to use my abilities to give back to my community and to better other people’s lives. I think that referring to myself as a public servant first, holds me to a higher standard and it reminds me that my first duty is service and not a position of power and authority.

FA: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career in public service?

JF: Holding myself to high ethical standards and being governed by them as I make decisions and exercising fiscal responsibility on budgetary matters. I was also instrumental in insuring that matters of equality were written into matters of law. For example, police and parking contracts in Wilton Manors contain anti-discrimination provisions. The police contract didn’t allow for family sick leave for domestic partners. That was an inequality in the contract and was changed to include not just the spouse. I created a Women’s History Month program to recognize the contribution of women to the city. I’ve worked with community leaders in addressing the parking needs on Wilton Drive and to preserve green space. I also worked on the master plan incorporating ideas of pedestrian connectivity within the city so we can have safe sidewalk and bike lanes.

FA: Many in Florida have been disappointed by the lack of real job growth in recent months. What more do you think can be done to put Floridians to work?

J.F.: I believe it’s time that Florida provides tax incentives to attract new businesses like the next wave of industrial development which includes smart growth and clean green technologies. I think expanding the Sunshine’s State’s tourismbased economy to also include solar and clean energy technology is what the business of the state should be about. I work in tourism and I know that folks come to Florida for the sun but I think we can do more and harness the power of the sun to strengthen the economy. A workforce needs a properly educated and trained and because of that, education must be made affordable and accessible to the general public.

FA: Do you feel that, in this time of budget deficits, we have to cut back on social services?

JF: No. In fact, if the state were to properly invest in health and human service programs, like providing home care to our aging population instead of dumping money into institutionalized assisted living, it could save the state millions of dollars. If Tallahassee were to exercise greater fiscal responsibility due to the recession, I don’t believe we need to just cut services just to save money. I think we need to increase spending in health and human services and public education. In rough economic times, like we are in right now, we need a social safety net which is important to our society and we need to be educating our children.

FA: Why do you feel that it is so important that gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry? That is to say, why aren’t domestic partnership rights sufficient?

JF: Domestic partnerships in Florida are not equal in rights afforded by the contract of marriage. And because I have a commitment to equality, I believe that the civil contract of marriage be available to all regardless of sexual orientation.

FA: But your opponent in this race does support domestic partnerships.

JF: She does not support full equality she does not support marriage right to gays and lesbians couples. Domestic partnerships do not carry the same legal weight as marriage. There are county and municipal constructs in Florida that don’t afford the same rights and benefits and responsibilities. Nor are they required to be recognized beyond the county or even by businesses in the private sector. They are not equal to the civil contract of marriage. Her support of DOMA and those behind Amendment 2 which was passed in 2008 to deny marriage or any other union or contract similar to the rights afforded through marriage to same-sex partners underscores her lack of commitment to the gay and lesbian community here in Florida.

FA: Isn’t marriage fundamentally a religious issue?

JF: Civil marriage is a government contract — one that affords approximately 1,500 special rights and responsibilities and benefits to the parties that entered that contract. It is not the role of government to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation — who may or may not enter into such a contract. The sacrament of “Holy Matrimony” is indeed a religious matter. Religion retains it’s authority by the separation of church and state principles to confirm or deny religious sacraments based upon membership requirements or subscription to each religion and their religious beliefs.

FA: You have criticized your [Democratic] opponent in this race for taking money from Republican groups. In the current era of partisan gridlock, what is so wrong with a Democrat taking money from a Republican?

JF: It isn’t a matter of a Democrat taking money from any Republican group. This specific group is anti-Democratic, anti-Obama, anti-public education and anti-gay. This group has given so much money to anti-Democratic causes and it continues to work against every principle supported by the people that my opponent claims to serve. I believe that taking money from such a group and rewarding that group by voting for their special interests in opposition to the interests of the people you are elected to serve, is just, plain wrong. And it shouldn’t be the practice of a State Representative. I’ve called on my opponent to give the money back and not to hide behind the title of ‘Democrat’ when in fact she is not [legislating like] one. I’m a Democrat because I believe in what it means to be a Democrat.

Early voting is currently underway in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. The election will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.

(Photo Courtesy: Project Publicity)

By Phil Bessimer

According to club diva Leah Driscoll, there are several stages after a break-up.  There’s the sad, weepy stage when you re-read every text message and think back on all the good times. There’s the self-loathing stage when you blame yourself for the split.  Then there’s the angry stage when you tear up all the pictures and toss out every remnant of the jerk.  Leah calls it the “Angela Bassett in Waiting to Exhale” stage, where the jilted lover gets all pyro.

That’s what her latest track, “If This Is Love”, is about. It’s a girl-done-wrong-who-now-seeks-revenge track.  Gay men, of course, are eating it up.  After all, who’s more vengeful than a dumped bitter queen?

It also helps that the track comes from the same artist who lit up dance floors last summer with her celebratory anthem “Pride”, a song seemingly made for gay dance floors.  The track was so rainbow, it solidified her status as gay clubland’s biggest fag hag.  It even led some to wonder if Leah Driscoll was in fact a gay man in a hot wig.  Or – more likely- if she is a gay man trapped in a woman’s body.

Did you expect “Pride” would make you gay clubland’s biggest fag hag?

(Laughing) I knew the song would touch more gay fans than straight.   It’s a powerful track and I always get the same reaction: “this is totally a gay club anthem!”

Have you always has a lot of gay friends?

I can’t answer this with a more emphatic YES!  As early as my teens, I always had gay friends. Of course, they were closeted at the time.

What’s drawn you to the queens?

It’s not that I ever intentionally went out looking for gay guys to be my friends, it just somehow always turned out that way.  If I walk into a room with 100 people and there’s one gay man, he’s coming over to talk to me.  Even my gay friends joke about it.

You’ve said in interviews that you can relate to the gay mans’ plight.  How so?

I’ve always had a huge capacity for empathy, which is good and bad.  Sometimes it leads me to get sucked up in other people’s drama, especially my gay friends’ drama!

There is no drama like a gay mans’ drama!

But on the good side, it’s allowed me to understand how difficult life can be for some people.  I’ve always had a soft spot for anyone who’s an “underdog” because I am one too.  I guess that’s the main connection I feel with gay men.  We also seem to cope with life’s difficulties in similar ways, like watching Golden Girls.  There is much to be learned from Sicilian fables and St. Olaf stories.

Why is a self-described wall flower seeking the spotlight?

I ask myself that a lot!  I love my private time.  I love solitude.  But I also know that good ideas, good messages, and good music don’t mean very much if no one hears them.

Do you break out of your shell when you perform in front of crowds?

Oh yeah, for sure.  I’m definitely a magnified version of myself on stage.   I’m able to get over any shyness because I really feel its part of my purpose to be out in front of people, delivering something meaningful.  I feel empowered on stage.

What’s the inspiration behind your new single, If This Is Love?

I think there are different stages of ending a relationship.  There’s the sad, weepy stage where you re-read every text message and think back on the good times.  Then there’s the angry stage where you’ve had enough.  I call this the “Angela Bassett in ‘Waiting to Exhale’” stage, where she gets all pyro.  That’s what the song is about.

There’s not a woman or a gay man in the world who hasn’t felt the need to go pyro.

(laughs) I certainly have!

What’s your take on love?

I am getting ready to read four different books on love, so I may have a different answer in a few weeks.  For now, though, I think love is great as long as it’s an unselfish love.   The problem is most people can’t recognize that what they think is love is not love at all.

The gays love their kiss-off songs.  Is that why you’re promoting the song so heavily to gay fans?

The single is similar to the ultimate gay anthem, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”.  So yeah, I’m hoping gay fans will embrace it.

What’s something your fans might be surprised to learn about you?

When I’m feeling stressed out, I like to do my hair.   It’s the best therapy.

Many of your gay fans can probably relate to that!

(Laughs) You’re probably right!  Another thing that might surprise fans is I once won a geography bee.  Also, I like crossword puzzles.  I guess I’m a bit of a closet nerd.

Come out of the closet, girl!

OK, I’m a nerd!

What’s next for you?

I used to think about the future a lot.  I use to try to plan how everything was going to turn out but you know what?  It never turned out that way.

So are you now living for the day?

Exactly.  My focus right now is on promoting the record and performing. And in between, you can find me watching Glee and re-runs of The Golden Girls.

You are a gay man.

(Laughs) I guess I am.

Check Leah out at the Stonewall Street Festival on Sunday June 20^th.  For more info, visit www.leahdriscoll.com.