Boston Uncommon vol. 2 / no. 7
Haus of Threes, Rusty Hammer, @transsanta, and Missy Steak
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 of Boston Uncommon I:
Shine an EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Haus of Threes to host Holiday Market this weekend
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Rusty Hammer wins Boston Drag Gauntlet
Check out this STREAM SERVICE: @transsanta delivers gifts to trans and non-binary youth in need
And stop to think— WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Missy Steak wonders what would happen if we all gave our local scene a ‘little more love’
EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Haus of Threes to host Holiday Market this weekend
Boston-based queer collaborative Haus of the Threes is hosting their Holiday Market this weekend, featuring 20 queer and trans-owned small businesses, artists, and nonprofits.
The HOT Holiday Market is an opportunity for Boston’s LGBTQ+ population to shop and support local vendors, meet queer creators, and connect with organizations like and Transgender Community Fund and Act Up Boston.
The event is tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19 from 12-8 p.m. Those interested in attending can direct message @hausofthrees via Instagram for the address, the closest T stop being the Sullivan Square station.
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Rusty Hammer wins Boston Drag Gauntlet
Over the last three months, some of the best in Boston drag have been battling it out, performing live for the chance to win a $1500 cash prize and be crowned the winner of Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 4.
And this year— on a king and a prayer— Boston drag artist Rusty Hammer took home the cash and the title. Thanking the Boston drag community for supporting him through the competition, Rusty gave a special shout-out at the end of the competition to the king community— those who inspired him to start drag.
“I thought [drag] was just an art form for men,” Rusty said in an interview with Boston Uncommon earlier this year. “When I finally saw kings perform I realized it was something AFAB people could do too, and the rest was history.”
A self-described stud, Rusty centers his persona on ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s pop culture and the masculine stereotypes in characters like Captain Kirk, Johnny Bravo, and Disco Stu.
“Rusty loves attention, being admired, being the life of the party, looking good, and first and foremost, girls,” Rusty said. “It’s really incredible the things you can do when you’re pretending that somebody else is doing them.”
For a full profile on Rusty and his drag persona, check out his profile in Boston Uncommon. vol. 1 / no. 15.
STREAM SERVICE: @transsanta delivers gifts to trans and non-binary youth in need
For the second holiday season, @transsanta has opened their 2021 season of giving— a mutual aid social media campaign that connects ‘santas’ with trans and non-binary youth in need.
Anonymously and safely delivering gifts to those who are houseless or otherwise without vital care, @transsanta is accepting letters and wishlists from people 24 and under through Dec. 20.
Those interested in applying can click here and will be directed to make an Amazon registry and write a handwritten letter to @transsanta. Those interested in donating can do so here.
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Missy Steak wonders what would happen if we all gave our local scene a ‘little more love’
Through my reporting on Boston queer nightlife, I have noticed a general lack of coverage on local drag scenes and the performers that define queer New England. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore their regional culture and local talent.
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On her 5-year drag birthday, Missy Steak provided me an almost methodically organized list of the pros and cons of working Boston drag. Having started performing during her time at Emerson College, Missy was always in love with the art of drag, but could never overcome her ’internal subconscious avoidance’ to actually do it. Five years later and Missy, having worked across the city, has come to know Boston’s scene as supportive of a variety of drag talent.
However, she also recognizes some of the primary challenges Boston performers currently face including being paid less than their counterparts in other cities, having few opportunities to start their own shows, limited venue space, and a mass reliance on a short supply of performance spots. Asking the all-too-important question— ‘who knows what can happen if we all give our local scene just a little more love?’ — Missy highlights both the highs and lows of working in Boston nightlife.
