Top gun …
“If a bad actor can be elected president, why not a good drag queen?” mused Joan Jett Blakk, the alter ego of artist-activist Terence Smith, in 1992 when, as part of the Queer Nation Party, she launched her campaign for the top job.
Killer queen …
Her many killer lines and establishment send-ups included “Lick Bush in 92” and a plan to have “dykes on bikes” patrolling the borders. She also threatened to paint the White House lavender.
Scary lady …
In raising awareness of gay rights issues, her aim was more than representation. She wanted to seriously queer the pitch: to “scare straight people for no other reason than to scare them”.
History boys …
This poster echoes civil rights history, with the Malcolm X quote and a gun-toting pose recalling iconic images of the Black Panthers.
True colours …
She was initially denied entrance to the Democratic National Convention because she was wearing drag, but snuck in as Terence and changed in the loo.
