drag queens

Guess where we were today?

by Carol Browne on July 31, 2011 · 6 comments

in Photos, Vancouver

This is one of my all time favourite portraits I have ever taken. She is adorable. And I’m so glad she looked right at me.

Mike and I went to the Gay Pride Parade today – a bigger parade than I have ever, ever seen or been to. It went on for a good 2 hours. I. LOVED. IT.
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Marhabah!

by Carol Browne on November 27, 2009 · 7 comments

in Family and Buddies, Vancouver

mike in a ghutra

Mike informed me last night that Saudi Arabia is definitely a culture that celebrates the mustache. He certainly is right about that. So he decided to wear this to the mustache party last night. It was a big hit and the party was fun. We went to a club in Chinatown and even thought we were going to a private party, we had to endure:

  • A line up. What? I can’t even remember the last time I stood in line to go to a bar. Yup. I guess that makes me officially old.
  • A full-on frisk – no pocket, bump or lump was left untouched. When I asked what they were looking for, I was told, “Drugs, weapons, or alcohol”.
  • my backpack being searched. Very thorough – they even pointed a flashlight at my keys and key chain. It was like going through customs.

The heck? People do this every weekend? Who knew?

As you can imagine, the party was well attended and totally fun. My first highlight of the evening was seeing two drag queens getting drinks at the bar. Real drag queens! How exciting! I’ve never seen “professional” drag queens up close before. I tried to get their photos, but no luck. I just couldn’t get close enough to them – stupid dark bars. Really, they need to get better light in those places.

On a side note – no smoking in bars is really weird. I noticed it right away. Where is that smoky bar smell in all your clothes and hair after a fun night? I’ll have to invent a smoky bar perfume for nights like that.

I turned out the big drag queens were the MCs for the evening. They were fun! And raunchy! And said swear words and wore rhinestones!

I handed Mike my camera so I could use the facilities. And guess who came out of a stall the same time I did? One of the drag queens. GASP! I was immediately bummed out that I didn’t take my camera into the bathroom with me. But I never do. It may make some people uncomfortable. I was so impressed with all the women in the bathroom – everyone was so cool -he was one of the girls. It was as though he wasn’t a man wearing a dress at all. But  he sure was. I confirmed it. The bathroom stall door was open and I could see he left the seat up.

True story.

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