Meocah Diamond comes out of drag-queen retirement tonight as she and her co-workers from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community Center of Greater Cleveland hit the stage for the second annual
Queer Variety Show. And give her a round of applause: It wasn't easy to cajole some of the staff members into performing for the extravaganza. "I had to twist some arms, beg, and do the puppy-dog eyes," laughs Diamond aka Travis Garry, the center's program advocate. "As for me, the only thing that would get me to do drag again was for a good cause."She found one. The party is a benefit for the agency's Metro Youth Outreach program for homeless gays between 14 and 24 years old. With emcee Paco Martinez, the entertainment lineup also includes impersonators Shari Turner and Akashia as well as drag kings Adam Apple and Hugh Jazz. "We can sing, rap, and dance. I want to showcase the LGBT talent that Cleveland and Ohio have," says Diamond, who retired from the stage after her 2004 reign as Miss Club Deco. "We try to take a young, fresh approach to get the community involved with something they like to do anyway, which is to go out and have fun." The show starts at 9:30 tonight at Bounce, 2814 Detroit Avenue. Admission is $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Call 216-357-2997 or visit
www.lgbtcleveland.org.
Sat., April 19, 9:30 p.m., 2008
