Boston Uncommon vol. 1 / no. 17
Zola Audio Short, Men of Melanin Magic, Trans Emergency Fund, and Matisse/Monstera
Boston Uncommon is a weekly newsletter covering Boston-based drag, burlesque, cabaret, sex work, and various forms of queer nightlife. Featuring original writing and reporting, Boston Uncommon engages authentically with those who work and play within Boston’s queer spaces and reports on the issues that directly impact local and greater LGBTQ+ communities.
In this week’s edition of Boston Uncommon I:
Cover a BIG STORY: Boston Uncommon Audio Shorts — Zola leads history lesson on drag presence within LGBTQ+ community
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Men of Melanin Magic to host ‘We Outside’ Pride party with performances by House of Escada, Haus of Snap, Just JP & more
Check in with a STREAM SERVICE: Trans Emergency Fund provides financial, medical, transportation support to low-income and unhoused queer people
And stop to think— WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Matisse and Monstera: The balance between art and academia
BIG STORY: Boston Uncommon Audio Shorts — Zola leads history lesson on drag presence within LGBTQ+ community
On the debut episode of Boston Uncommon Audio Shorts, Sam Goodman sits down with Boston drag legend Zola to discuss the slow emergence and acceptance of drag performers and trans people within the larger LGBTQ+ community and nightlife scene.
"Coming from when the police would come into the bar and strip you down to make sure you had one article of male clothing on,” Zola said. “There were certain bars you went to where you were not welcome and they made it very known that they didn’t want you there. People don’t remember those days.”
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Men of Melanin Magic to host ‘We Outside’ Pride party, performances by House of Escada, Haus of Snap, Just JP & more
Men of Melanin Magic (MoMM), a Boston-based collective creating events for LGBTQ men of color and the larger queer community, is hosting a June 5 Pride party to celebrate the beginning of Pride month.
The kick-off event, open to all, will be DJed by DJ Frenchy, DJ Begbick, and C'Evan, featuring performances by the House of Escada (finalists on Season 1 of HBO Max’s Legendary), the Haus of Snap, Just JP, and Candace Persuasion.
“So put on a cute outfit, grab your friends, and let's party! It won't be hard to find us 'cuz we outsiiiiiiddde,” the event description reads.
The event is from 12–5 p.m. EDT on the South Lawn of Encore Boston Harbor with tickets available for $30 via the MoMM website. Prices will increase to $40 on May 29 at 12 a.m.
STREAM SERVICE: Trans Emergency Fund provides financial, medical, transportation support to low-income and unhoused queer people
The Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts (TEF), originally founded in 2008, is a state-wide, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting low-income and unhoused Transgender people via financial, medical, transportation housing, and nutrition assistance.
In order to qualify for TEF, the applicant must be a resident of Massachusetts who identifies under the transgender/nonbinary/gender nonconforming umbrellas, according to the application which is available via TEF’s website.
TEF Services
HRT prescription co-pays and further medical assistance
Gift card to access personal hygiene items and other supplies
Homelessness prevention, rental start-up, and further housing assistance
Winter clothes
Transportation to medical appointments
New/replacement state ID with gender marker change
Nutrition assistance
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Matisse and Monstera: The balance between art and academia
Through my 17-week coverage of Boston queer nightlife and the greater LGBTQ+ community, I have noticed a general lack of coverage on local drag industries and the performers and culture that define the New England scene. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore and understand their own regional culture.
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Educator, artist, gender and sexuality consultant, and Tik Tok creator Matisse DuPont made their drag debut as Monstera Delicious in 2019. Alongside their drag partner Sid Delicious and the Haus of Delicious, Monstera performed at Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’s Virgin Night and has been forging their path within Boston’s queer community and nightlife scene. With a B.A. from UMass Amherst and M.A. from Simmons University, Matisse turned Monstera has discovered new ways to both fuse and separate their passion and presentation as an academic and as an artist.
