A Knife, A Beehive, and Rubber Gloves

Photographs By Grady Gillett

Photographer Grady Gillett shares their editorial, “The Housewife”, starring Long Beach drag queen Kiki. Grady discusses the inspiration behind the photographs, how history repeats itself, and how creativity can help us get through our current political climate.

Long Beach, USA

I have, unknowingly, been doing drag since I was in elementary school. Consistently got cast as male roles in the theater program I attended. You could imagine my shock as I got older and found out that the exact thing I was doing as an 11 year old was “extremely harmful to kids,” and “destroying the youth.” Performing in drag as a kid was the furthest thing from harm I experienced. It allowed me to understand what it was like to experience life in a body different from mine.

Kiki is a drag queen based in Long Beach, California, with an incredible talent. Any queer person in Long Beach who has seen her show was gagged at Kiki’s artistry. “She lights up a room and brightly commands attention,'“ said an attendee of Kiki’s drag residency at the popular music venue, Vine, “Her comedy drag fills the space with a lot of joy, and makes you feel glad you are a part of it.” This was my first time working with Kiki in this setting, and it was incredible watching her perform for the camera right in front of her. Unlike most models I have worked with, Kiki needed no instruction while posing. Confidence exudes from her pores and creates this excellent environment where creativity flows naturally.

The 60s housewife aesthetic was my decision for more than just a pretty picture; I was inspired by the incredible strength of Americans in the 60s. Like now, the citizens were fighting against unjust policies in every facet of their lives. Every day a new protest on the steps of the capital building, shouting things similar to the last protest. Most times, with extreme pushback and exaggerated reaction from the Los Angeles Police Department. Social uprisings truly disrupt daily life. Friends and families worried if their loved ones will return unharmed. Intense traffic making businessmen late for work. Setting curfews, potentially preventing people's pursuit of happiness. Tourist numbers going down, due to perception, lowering the local businesses daily revenue. Protests work because protests disrupt.

March 1, 1968; East Los Angeles: A mother cleaning the kitchen, waiting for her child to come home from Belmont High School. When in reality, the kid is not at school but participating in the East L.A. Blowout, where they demand that Jim Crow school segregation be set to rest. Interestingly enough, these walkouts were “One of the largest student protests in United States history” (1968: East Los Angeles Walkouts, The Library of Congress). As with most protests, violence came. I am sure anyone who has ever been to a protest could correctly assume who incited said violence those hired to Protect their leaders and Serve their ideology.

Outside of the US south, Los Angeles had the most extreme crackdown on culture and "obscenities" within the ordinance of the city limits. Calling any peaceful protest an “unlawful assembly” and “riot.” The walkouts were not as successful in the way that protesters intended, however, it did bring a level of camaraderie and inspired more kids and neighbors to stand up for equal opportunity. These protests were asking that ESL (English as a Second Language) classes be implemented instead of being placed in programs for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, this movement ended where most movements do lack of funding.

While you have been trained to believe LA in the 60s was a white surfers' paradise, the real history is much more radical than you would think. Looking back at Los Angeles’ history, it’s hard to feel alone in the era of cultural change we are experiencing. Political unrest is not a new feeling for Angelenos. There have been wins and losses, and what might look like a loss right now could be a win in the future. Being a creative in the 2020s, we must look at what is happening and allow it to inspire creativity. Not only to help yourself process the lives we are living, but to help inspire others to be educated and further educate yourself.