Isn’t it ironic that Judith Miller has spent almost three months in jail to protect the freedom of the press, while Carl Rove, who leaked the identity of the CIA operative, is still running around running the White House? Isn’t it ironic that President Bush was saved from the Cindy Sheehan debacle by Hurricane Katrina, a disaster in which he failed miserably to show leadership? Isn’t it ironic that we are not allowed to ask John Roberts about his views on the most fundamental principles in life, and he wants us to give him a lifetime job of deciding for us what we can and cannot do? And by the way, remember the Downing Street Memo? I didn’t think so.

A few weeks ago, I Jet Blue’d home to New York for a quickie. My saddest news is that the famous adult bookstore with no name on Christopher Street has finally closed – another victim of gentrification. There is no “tranny” bar left in the city either, except for a weekly party in midtown. Most of the “hustler” bars all over town are suffering as well, since all the good-looking boys, and not so good looking, are all online as escorts. Just like eBay, you can now shop for everything in the comfort of your own home.

There is a good thing, however, that is back. As you may know, Wigstock has been a Labor Day weekend tradition in N.Y.C. for the last 20 years. It was founded by the unique Lady Bunny back in 1985 as the world’s most off-beat, sick-adelic, day-long outdoor drag festival, in Tomkins Square in N.Y.C.’s Lower East Side. During the ’80s, the Lower East Side was sort of the artist’s village (Keith Herring used to draw his art on the sidewalk), where the rent was cheap and the area was rundown. The area was full of cheap bars, bodegas, pawn shops and other small neighborhood stores. The girls that performed at the famed Pyramid Club were a class of their own, and invented a genre of drag known as “downtown drag” – “gender illusionists,” “performance artists” and plain old in-your-face nasty, vulgar, outrageous queens in looks and in performance styles.

For many years, Wigstock drew thousands of spectators, both gay and straight, many of whom appeared with outrageous wigs and thrift store outfits. The success of Wigstock brought the event a little westward to Union Square for a few years. The last few mega Wigstocks were held at the West Side Pier in the mid ’90s through early 2000, and drew an estimated 50,000 spectators.

Many legendary drag performers grew up with and owe their humble beginnings to Wigstock. Folks like Lypsinka, John Kelly as Dagmar Onassis, Ethel Eicheberger (a 6’4” queen who somersaults on stage), RuPaul, Dorian Corey (Paris is Burning), Joey Arias (who channels Billie Holiday and is now with Cirque de Soleil in Vegas), Miss Coco Peru, Sherry Vine (a favorite in Berlin), Jackie Beat (the nasty diva now in L.A.), Candice Cayne, the demented Dueling Bankheads, Varla Jean Merman, Kevin Aviance and the famous Boy Bar Beauties. Other personalities that have graced the Wigstock stage include Debbie Harry, The B52’s Cindy Wilson, Crystal Waters and others. I was fortunate enough to have performed a few times onstage, but got cut out of the Wigstock – The Movie, which started filming in 1993 and was released in 1995. Because of the time and expense involved in putting on the show, Lady Bunny decided to hang up the hat a few years ago; frankly, because she’s tired. Oops – I love you, Bunny!

Wigstock is back, not the big-budget spectacular, but as part of the Howl Festival, with a two-hour drag-packed show back in Tomkins Square. I was able to go backstage and smooch with old friends and I wanted to share these pictures with you. It was just like old times – demented, raunchy, outrageous, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Back in the ’90s, there was Act-Up and Queer Nation. We didn’t always agree with their tactics, but they got the media’s attention with their protests and acts of civil disobedience. Have we become too “system” oriented today, that we only work within the bureaucracy? I totally applaud the work of Equality California on the marriage issue, and while their 12-day marketing plan is sleek, nice, and all so businesslike, I do not believe that is the only way we should have handled the issue. I agree with my colleague Rex Wockner, who called on our leaders to take more drastic measures and get media to focus on our issues. By the time you read this, Arnie may have vetoed the marriage equality bill. We knew he was expected to do so, but we opted for the “play nice strategy.” I believe we should have used these last 12 days to make a stir, calling attention to the issue and even protesting. Arnie was in San Diego, and we let that opportunity go by. We may never get this chance again – I wish we had Act-Up and Queer Nation today.

No doubt some of you may have read the letter to the editor in last week’s Gay & Lesbian Times (how could you not? It was the very first letter, and a very long one), where Mr. Bill Lullo decided that I do not have the right to express my outrage at the Bush administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina, which I wrote about in my last column, and my only purpose as a drag queen is for his entertainment. Many of you felt strongly that I should respond to Mr. Lullo, but I shall not waste my time because I believe he has the right to express his opinion, no matter how stupid and bigoted it is. Instead, I wanted to come to the defense of my friend Babette Schwartz, who Mr. Lullo proclaims to be his favorite DQ. In case you didn’t know, Ms. Schwartz is also a very dedicated educator and successful businessperson, and I believe that he has an opinion on important issues as well. As for myself, I just wanted you to know that I am extremely skilled in the art of laundry as well. I thought you might want to know that!

MCC did a collection of basic essential items at The Center last Sunday for a Caravan of Hope to bring supplies to LGBT families affected by the hurricane. The bingo committee at The Center also held a special bingo night to raise money for the same cause. Empress Ophelia, Cristina Monet and I, along with Zak from the Diversionary Theatre and Michael Portantino, were on hand as guest callers. I was a little disappointed at the relatively small turnout, but I applaud the valiant effort of the bingo crew for putting it together. The event raised over $2,000. I also heard that Empress Ophelia and Empress Katrina may team up to do a fund-raiser as well! If you’re wondering where you can send donations to assist people with HIV in the Gulf Coast, log on to POZ magazine’s Web site for referral (www.poz.com/katrina/index.shtml). I’m sending my donation to HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance in Region Two, Inc.) in Baton Rouge.

The Dancer’s Life, a musical by Terrence McNally, features Chita Rivera now at the Old Globe through Oct. 23. There is a special Out at the Globe gay night (as if there is any non-gay night) on Thursday, Sept. 29. Call (619) 234-5623 for tix, and mention Out at the Globe if you want that night’s special.

Momentum on the Midway is on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier. You may remember that SDPix got me in trouble with a pic of me straddling a cannon, which ended up on a Web site we shall not mention – the more reason to support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Advance discount tix can be purchased at www.SLDNSD.org or at Obelisk Bookstore.

Gospelfest 2005 is a benefit show for MCC on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:00 p.m. at Bacchus House, produced by the Imperial Court, with soul food and a show for a “shouting” good time.

AIDS Walk is on Sunday, Oct. 2. Have you signed up to walk, or pledged a donation? I am planning on walking with the APICAP contingent. With AIDS funding always being cut, let us remember this crisis is not over.