We recently had the chance to connect with Maxine LaQueene and have shared our conversation below.
Maxine, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of being a community advocate fighting for trans rights & being a full time drag entertainer, I’m actually pretty big on video games. So right now I’m playing Pokémon Legends ZA! One thing I do to disconnect from the unending chaos that is social media is to physically turn my notifications off on my phone and to just put my phone down and play a video game on the Switch or PS5.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For those who have not read any of my interviews before, or may not be familiar with me, my name is Maxine LaQueene! I am a full time drag entertainer hosting weekly shows all around Austin as well as a political advocate fighting for trans rights at the Texas legislature. My pronouns are That/Bitch! I have been a showgirl & emcee for over 12 years now.
A lot of what I do as a community leader is based on bringing trans representation to the forefront of queer art. I host an all trans drag showcase that collaborates and partners with local vendor markets. Support local business! My brand is being a larger than life character, seeing how I stand at 7 feet tall when I am in drag. I’m 6 foot 4 outside of drag. I truly am a suspiciously large trans woman, and I use that to my power.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I started transitioning, before I started doing drag, before I accepted my identity, I was planning on being a school teacher because that’s what my conservative parents at the time thought would be the best use of all of my extra ass energy. I didn’t really have much of an opinion on it besides, it’s what my parents wanted at the time.
I actually used to be quite shy and reserved. I remember having stage fright as a kid in the elementary school plays. I went to Catholic school for elementary school and it was a very confusing time. I didn’t really have a point of view for a long time because I was told to not be so loud and obnoxious. I didn’t really grow up in a supportive household, and got in trouble a lot for speaking out.
Once I graduated high school, I decided to go to cosmetology school and get my license to be a hairstylist. It wasn’t until I got to express myself while doing people’s hair that I really fell in love with the art form. I would show up to cosmetology school and full drag makeup and felt so powerful as a young entertainer.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t shut up. Don’t be quiet. Stand up when you are told to sit down. I was too afraid to be myself because I would stand out for all the wrong reasons when in reality, the biggest strength I have is my conviction.
That child has so much talent and capabilities, but had no focus on where to put it. Do not be afraid to dance. Do not be afraid to sing loudly and off key. You’re going to deal with physical, emotional and mental abuse, and it’s going to shape your identity and give you strength you never knew about. Stand in your light. Take up space. Your family isn’t going to understand at first, but do not give up on them.
It is your job to educate and lead your family into a more progressive mindset. By doing that, you will not only educate yourself, but you will develop the necessary tools to be able to lead an entire community. Lead with kindness. Fuck the drama and pettiness.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Realistically is the persona that we show to the world entirely who we are on the inside? No. What you don’t see all the time is the ugly and insecure. I am only human and we all make mistakes.
What you don’t see is the negativity. I do not wish to promote hatred of any kind. That is not to say that I do not feel hatred for people. Instead of projecting insecurities on people within my own community, I find being able to channel that energy into advocacy work, like testifying in front of the Senate or House of Representatives, is there a better way to release.
I have my own flaws and tendencies to be jealous of others, but I have found to keep those feelings offline and to process them on my own; with the people who know me at my worst but only champion my best.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly, I would drop everything I’m doing and travel the world. I may not have the money or resources to do so luxuriously, and so I would like to with what I have. But I have always wanted to travel and explore this beautiful world that we have been gifted and take advantage of.
Realistically, I would probably retire from performing, and instead, invest in creating space for new artists. What is our legacy? To leave this world better than we found it. I try to live most of my days as if I could die the following day. I actually don’t really plan further than ten years of my life at a time because anything can happen that will change the trajectory of our lives and you have to be ready for any obstacle without immediately complaining or asking why.
There’s also this idea that I live by:
You can’t control what happens. You can only control how you react. Bad shit happens to good people. Don’t let it turn you into a bad person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/MaxineLaQueene
- Instagram: @theonlymaxine
- Twitter: @QueeneMaxine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17bG3UN6Pw/
