Boston Uncommon vol. 2 / no. 21
Final report
Boston Uncommon has returned for its second volume to continue covering Boston-based drag, queer nightlife, and LGBTQ+ current events. Featuring original writing and reporting by Emerson College student and drag artist Joni 66, Boston Uncommon engages authentically with those who work and play within the city’s queer spaces and reports on issues that directly impact local and greater New England LGBTQ+ communities.
In this week’s edition I:
SAY GOODBYE: Boston Uncommon final report
SAY GOODBYE: Boston Uncommon final report
Over the last year, I have had the pleasure of documenting Boston’s drag community– a diverse group of creative, passionate, kind, uber-talented queer artists. I’ve heard their stories, their struggles, their successes, and watched these performers (mainly from the sidelines) define this moment in LGBTQ+ history. As I graduate from Emerson and move back to Los Angeles, it’s time to wrap up this archival project.
After releasing my first newsletter on Jan. 31, 2021, I published 19 issues of Boston Uncommon over six months, featuring queer current events, digital show coverage, and LGBT+ services on the local level. Major stories in Volume 1 include Boston Pride boycott coverage, "Now Serving" digital drag competition recaps, profiles on Patty Bouree, Rusty Hammer, and Briar Blush, and information on the Trans Emergency Fund.
In Volume 1, I also introduced “What is Boston Drag?” a space for local performers to explore their regional culture and local talent. Starting in issue 7 with a profile on Sean King, I interviewed 11 artists from across New England including Matisse DuPont, Bismuth Arsenide, Linda Marie Possa, and Zola.
After a summer vacation, Boston Uncommon returned on Nov. 3, 2021 for Volume 2 with a new focus on covering live events and venue re-openings, profiling local talent, and highlighting queer small businesses. Notable Volume 2 stories include "Just JP’s Casual Drag Stroll," coverage, profiles on Eric Magnussen, Saint, and Vo Stewartbaxter, and “Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 5” and “Hot Haus” updates. With 21 total issues, Volume 2 also featured 16 new artists in the “What is Boston Drag” series including Plane Jane, Zad Gravebone, Coleslaw, and Binx. Between both volumes, 27 total drag artists were featured in the series.
Through my work on both volumes, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the artists defining queer culture on the ground. Go support your local entertainers, it’s beyond worth it.
I, again, want to thank the Boston and New England drag communities for allowing me to share some of their story. I hope you revisit and share this archive as a time capsule of this moment in drag.
Click below to follow me on my journey through the best in queer nightlife!
I’ll be back to the (un)common soon enough, signing off,
Joni 66 - Sam Goodman