Every now and then one gets opportunities to talk to fascinating people who are true to themselves and are people that you want to call your friend. The first interview for this project is a couple that I met
through my neighbor, Gary Banta who introduced us. The interview with Bruce and Kirk can be
found on StoryCorps at https://archive.storycorps.org/communities/oneing I encourage you to listen to the StoryCorps
interview first, then come back here for the rest of the story.
I have to admit that I know nearly nothing of the craft that is Melinda's profession. In preparation for the interview I began to listen to other interviews that Bruce has done and look up some background
information. Bruce is best known as Melinda Ryder, who established a place for female impersonation in Kansas City gay clubs, her leadership in the LGBTQ community and her work to raise funds for a variety of charitable organizations.
Bruce moved to Kansas City in the late 1970’s and was
surprised that there was no female impersonation in any of the local gay clubs.
Kansas City had a history of female impersonators entertaining straight
audiences, but Ryder was a pioneer in bringing the art to clubs that catered to
the LGBT demographic.
In addition to other achievements, Ryder has reigned as Miss
Gay Mid-West America 1979, Miss Gay Kansas America 1982, Miss Gay Missouri 1984
and Miss Gay Show Me State USA 1989. Nationally, she was second runner-up to
Miss Gay America 1984. She was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award
at the Zoey Awards in 2008.
Those in Kansas City may know Ryder from her performances and
emceeing at Club Cabaret, Starz on Broadway, Frisco Club, The Edge, Sidekicks,
Missie B’s and many other venues around the city.
The charity and community organizations that Ryder supports include Show Me Pride, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Be The Match and No MoreHomeless Pets.
Since 2002, Winter has survived
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice and pre-leukemia once. He has undergone two stem
cell transplants and is now fifteen years out with no signs of disease.
I came across an excellent NPR
interview with Melinda/Bruce that gives a good overview of Melinda’s career and
marriage to Kirk.
For historical background on female impersonation including a featured
piece on Melinda Ryder: https://library.umkc.edu/content/images/glama/timeline/curator-program-hinds.pdf
References for this post:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnr9TUngAaY
https://camp.lgbt/2016/02/16/melinda-ryder-40-years-of-drag-and-a-60th-birthday-celebration/
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