Dear Ruthie,
I’ve been doing drag for about three years. News flash: I’ve coincidently been single for about three years. I love drag, and I love performing in drag, but I realize that if I want a man, I need to quit drag. No man in this town wants to date a drag queen, so out with the wigs and in with the men! Right? My friends say I’m being stupid, and that I should keep up the drag and not worry about the men. Whose right and whose wrong? You tell me. Quit drag in pursuit of a man who is never going to come or keep up with the drag and be lonely?
Anonymous Diva in Training
Dear Ano,
Good news! You can hide your sausage and eat it, too! You can have it all, sugar booger! Don’t change who you are, what you love or how you express yourself in the hopes of finding a man. (Insert “pfffft” sound here.) Besides, what sort of a man are you going to attract if you’re not being your true self? You want a man who loves you for who you are, right? You certainly don’t want a man who loves the person you’re pretending to be. Be true to yourself, and you’ll find a man who loves the real you. If you want to quit drag, that’s fine. But quit because you want to; not because you think doing so will lead Prince Charming your way.
Ruthie’s Social Calendar
Aug. 22—Pride Gives Back at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery (740 N. Plankinton Ave.): Help support the greatest pride event in the country—Milwaukee’s PrideFest! For a $5 cover charge, you’ll enjoy two craft beers and a sample-size appetizer. Mingle with community leaders and learn about upcoming LGBTQ events and more during the 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. happy hour.
Aug. 23—Discover Courage Event at Club Charlies (320 E. Menomonee St.): Stop in this Third Ward happy-hour hot spot during this fundraiser for Courage MKE and the Jackie Roberts Memorial Scholarship. An art auction, vacation-package raffle and more run 5-9 p.m.
Aug. 24—Margarita Fest at Milwaukee Athletic Club (758 N. Broadway): It’s margarita madness in Brew City when the staff of Shepherd Express hosts this 6 p.m. rooftop party. Your $28 ticket gets you samples from the best margarita makers in town, as well as access to food vendors and cash bars. Live music rounds out the crazy-good time. See shepherdtickets.com to save your spot.
Aug. 24—Pants Off Dance Off: Five Year Anniversary Party at Riverwest Public House Cooperative (815 E. Locust St.): Shake it in your skivvies during this body positive underwear dance party, celebrating its fifth year of funky, freaky fun. Even though there is no cover, the 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. undies party benefits ARCW with your donation at the door. Strip down and shake it up, and if you can work in a “formal birthday costume” of sorts you may even win the costume contest.
Aug. 25—Miss Club Wisconsin at FIVE Nightclub (5 Applegate Court, Madison): Get your keester in the car and head over to Madison for this night to remember. The top glamor girls of the state compete for this coveted title of keeps tongues wagging, tea flowing and jaws dropping. The 9 p.m. pageant includes a $5 door charge.
Aug. 27—Bi+ Pride Milwaukee Steering Committee Meeting at Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. (224 W. Bruce St.): Open to all, this 5:30-7:30 p.m. meeting that helps “craft community for non-monosexuals, their partners, families and friends.” Meet new people, make new friends and help carve out this community in our city.
Aug. 28—‘Camp Wannakiki’ Viewing Party at This Is It (418 E. Wells St.): Haven’t checked out the new drag reality competition, “Camp Wannakiki,” yet? Your hostess (and Wannakiki contestant) Pagan Holladay can help with that as she hosts this zany viewing party at 7 p.m.
Don’t miss Ruthie’s new reality show, Camp Wannakiki, on YouTube. Want to share an event with Ruthie? Email DearRuthie@Shepex.com and follow her on Instagram @ruthiekeester and Facebook at Dear Ruthie.
