5 minute read
SCENE OUT
from DECEMBER 2021
On October 27, 2021, British Consul-General Richard Hyde invited the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce to meet UK Minister for Exports and Equalities Mike Freer. Pictured are Jack Berger, Thomas Lopez, Shenice Brown, Tammi Wallace, Minister Mike Freer, Tiffany Tosh, Consul General Richard Hyde, and Jonathan Marrs.
On Nov. 10, 2021, leading LGBTQ legal professionals shared their advice with law students at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Pictured are Cameron Rivers, Susan Bynum, Kristen Taylor, Fran Watson, Jess Herbst, Mitchell Katine, Phyllis Frye, Chantel Rozier, Rebecca Garza, and David Maly.
On November 12, 2021, Kennedy Loftin was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with their Most Outstanding Fundraising Professional of 2020 award. Pictured are Armando Ortiz, Stephanie Stutts, Don’L Nicol, Austin Ruiz, Kennedy Loftin, Atlantis Narcisse, David Ramirez, Bryan Cotton, and Dan Cato.
John Ross Palmer held his Mentorship Cocktail Gala at the Chrysalis Franklin Gallery on November 13, 2021. Pictured are Brady Brown, AVM Hawkins, Dr. Elena Sandovici, John Ross Palmer, Hugo Perez, and Scott Williams. The Caucus held its 12th Annual Equality Brunch on October 30, 2021. Pictured are Dalton DeHart, Larry Bagneris, Harrison Homer-Guy, Ray Ramirez, Roxanne Collins, Rep. Ann Johnson, JD Doyle, Katharine Ligon, and U.S. Rep. Al Green.
On November 10, 2021, the Houston Bears social group presented checks to Pet Patrol and the HIV & Aging Coalition at La Granja Y Disco. Pictured are Bears officers Frank Davis, Matt Newton, and Tony Fernandez with representatives from the beneficiary organizations.
EPAH presented “The Art of Living” in honor of Terry Hamman at the Archway Gallery on November 12, 2021. Pictured are Brent Braveman, Cookie Wells, Glenn Dickson, Kathie Hamman, Steve Hamman, Andrea Wilkinson, David Alcorta, Paul Butler, and Bob Burress.
On November 14, 2021, Katy Caldwell’s retirement party (Katy’s Sunday Funday) was held at Legacy Community Health–Montrose. Pictured are Chree Boydstun, Katy Caldwell, and Tim Martinez. The Diana Foundation held its 2021 Country Dinner Weekend November 6–7, 2021. Pictured are past and present Diana presidents Nathan Wright, Dan Maxwell, Michael Leibbert, Howard Huffstutler, Bill Poplin, Michael Kemper, and Earl Krieger.
Houston Tennis Club hosted their 40th Annual Tennis Tournament at Lee LeClear Tennis Center November 12–14, 2021. Pictured are Mark Davis, Chuck Meredith, Kenneth Jones, Franco Roman, Chris Shepard, and Michael Tran.
On November 12, 2021, artist Barry Pitts held a retrospective art show and reception at the Law Harrington Senior Living Center. Pictured are Donald St. Pierre, Annie Pitts, Barry G. Pitts, Diane Wackerhagen Webb, and Steven Clements.
“Reign in Paradise,” a Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial event, was held at the Archway Gallery on November 20, 2021. Pictured are Jovan Tyler, Atlantis Narcisse, Verniss McFarland, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Zsa Zsa, and Oliver Yerphase.
The Queen Who Cares
Community involvement is what keeps An’Marie Gill motivated.
By SAM BYRD Photo by ALEX ROSA
’Tis the season of giving, and who better to embody that charitable spirit than An’Marie Gill. The values of philanthropy and community were instilled in An’Marie very early by her mother and a few other family members. In fact, she moved to Houston because of its vibrant gay community, with all of the charity work going on that keeps it strong and healthy. Get to know more about the generous heart that beats inside this seasoned performer.
Home town?
I was born in Hobbs, New Mexico. We moved a lot, and I attended eight schools before college. I graduated high school in Midland, Texas, but San Angelo was probably the closest thing to a “home town,” as the family tended to gravitate back there.
Drag birthday?
October 2004 at Keys West, where I was working as a bartender. We had a Turn-ABout Show benefiting PWA Holiday Charities. That’s when An’Marie was born.
How did you get into performing?
I lay that at Don Gill’s feet. Before my debut at Keys West I had become a member of PWA Holiday Charities and had been helping Don with office work for the organization. Don was at the Turn-A-Bout show, and as soon as I was finished performing, he grabbed my hand and said, “Darling, if you want to help the charity out, I need to move you from the back to the front. You are a stage presence and a money maker, not an office whore!” True to his word, he pulled An’Marie into his charity shows and started spotlighting me for special performances, and it snowballed from there.
Inner avatar?
Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island. A little wholesome, a little naive, kinda sexy (for the day), not glamorous, but very nice and everyone’s best friend. would consider myself a whole lot more rock-n-roll.
Favorite artists to perform?
I love a distinctive voice with a harder edge. Top of my list would be P!nk and Anastacia, but throw in some Sia, Dua Lipa, and Tina Turner.
How long are those legs?
My legs go as far as your imagination will take them. I guess I have good genes to thank for them, or dance and gymnastics classes from my early youth.
What items must always be in your purse?
The two drag items I always carry in my purse are lipstick and eyelash glue.
Any nicknames?
No nicknames really, although they do reference me at work as the HBIC— Head Bitch In Charge.
What’s on your bucket list?
That would be all about travel. I try to take a major trip around my birthday every other year, and in the off years
I take a smaller trip. The ultimate goal would be to go to Europe, and specifically Spain.
Holiday traditions?
Tamales on Christmas Eve, black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, a vacation around my birthday, and usually a party at my house for the show staff around Christmas.
Any New Year’s resolutions?
Giving up abstinence.
How do you spend your down time?
I find shopping very therapeutic. Working in the yard is a pleasure, playing solitaire passes the time, and I read gay romance novels to escape.
Where can people see you perform?
Catch me at Tony’s Corner Pocket on West Dallas Street on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Also, I try to be present at all PWA Holiday Charities events, as well as the First Family of Montrose events when I can.
