Pierce Newry
Mother of the Swann house, do you ever feel the weight on your shoulders being the first one to fight for our enslaved negro homos?
William Dorsey Swann
I do, child. But, we must push on as the first house of drag. Hopefully, there will be many more, maybe someday we’ll even make it to the main stage. Ha
Pierce
Yes, aren’t you tired of this podsnappery? Why must they raid all our soirées?
William
Darling, it bothers them that we’re queens. They see enslaved men enjoying themselves and finding their own freedom. It drives them bonkers.
Pierce
Maybe we’re not making enough noise to change anything?
William
Oh, ye of little faith. Have you considered that it’s about loosening the lid on the jar before it can be cracked open? Trail-blazers aren’t always change-makers.
Pierce
But do you not dream of strutting in public with our handsome silks and satins. Why must we hide behind closed doors rather than dance through the streets and celebrate?
William
A gaggle of us can lead the way, sure. But if everyone’s behind bars, the house of Swann will crumble.
Pierce
So what do you propose we do to get things moving along? How do we fight for our rights in a way that will change things right now?
William
What we’ve been doing is the only sustainable way to do this. We need to accept that, sometimes, we can’t change the world right now, as it is. So instead, we pave the way for our community to take our legacy forward. We’ll honour our brave queens behind closed doors and take the small wins.
Pierce
I hear what you’re saying, but don’t you ever get impatient? I worry that things will never change. That they’ll wipe us out before a drag extravaganza ever makes it out there in the real world.
William
I know I’m fabulous, but I am human too. Of course, I get impatient. This is daunting and dangerous work, darl. And to think about how far the end goal is. But if we focus on that, what will we achieve? This is about building the community, instilling trust, strutting proudly even if it’s behind closed doors and keeping the coals warm till the iron is hot enough to strike.
Pierce
You’re so right. This is why you’re my drag momma. I may have a few more strays who’d like to join. I bet they’ll look splendid on the dancefloor with our fabulous threads. But what if the ratbags raid tomorrow’s rendezvous?
William
That’s just wonderful, child! The more, the merrier. Then I’ll tell ‘em what I told them last time. They is no gentlemen.
Pierce
Ha! They best bow down to the one and only queen of drag.
William
Now, we’re talking. See you tomorrow. Until then, slay, diva!
