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By George St.
George It's ironic to look past the flamboyant costumes and the risque theatrics of a drag performer such as Divine and see him as a pioneer of self-expression for the gay community. Given the conservative era in which he grew up, Divine is a legendary icon painted exorbitantly on the canvas of our gay sub-culture with raunchy humor and liquid eyeliner. He trail blazed the road for contemporary gays to express themselves with pride and few inhibitions. Celebrity was never this brazenly outrageous.
I am grateful
that I was able to see one of Divine's last live performances
at a nightclub just after this talented and trashy female impersonator
gained mainstream acceptance from starring in John Water's 1988
film "Hairspray" as Edna Turnblad the mother of Tracy
Turnblad (played by Ricki Lake). We felt robbed when he suddenly
passed away weeks later on March 7, 1988 due to an enlarged heart. Divine was such
a unique and formidable female impersonator it's inevitable that
at drag shows everywhere Frances often encounters fans of her
As a memorial tribute to the 20-year anniversary of Divine's passing, I met recently with Frances in a small cafe in Miami to share memories of her extraordinarily talented and impactful son. We also talked about her book, "My Son Divine," and the upcoming documentary film about her life: "Frances, A Mother Divine." She is truly a remarkable woman, the mother of a celebrated son and a person I consider to be a genuine friend.
When I asked
Frances what would she say to parents who struggle with the sexuality
of their gay child she remarked,"God gave me my child and
I accepted him and I loved him. When Glenny (Divine) was born
he was the cutest thing I ever saw and when God took him from
me he also took a part of me with him." "We just
didn't know how differently or how crazy our lives would become.
Still we When I spoke with Frances again last week she described her plans for celebrating her 88th birthday at a drag show in Ft. Lauderdale with Michael O'Quinn, her manager and the director/producer of the soon-to-be-released "Frances, A Mother Divine." Then she invited me to join her party: "Why don't you come down and celebrate with us!" she beamed.
"My work
on Earth is not done" she proudly remarks. TO FRANCES AND ALL CHAMPION MOTHERS, who show unconditional devotion to us, their gay children, "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY AND THANK YOU." The book "My
Son Divine" by Frances Milstead can be found on www.amazon.com.
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Before there were notoriously
scandalous drag performers like Leigh Bowery, Chi Chi LaRue &
Lady Bunny, female impersonators portrayed the proper & quintessential
glamour of the feminine archetype. That all changed when film
director John Waters unleashed Divine, his "Godzilla Of
Drag Queens", to star in his taboo shattering movies "Pink
Flamingos," "Female Trouble" and "Polyester."
The divas of gay cabarets everywhere have never been the same
since.
Divine was born Harris
Glenn Milstead, the only child to Frances and Harris Milstead.
Divine's parents always expressed their forgiving and unconditional
love for their outrageous and often demanding gay son. And even
after all these years following his death, Frances, whom I befriended
last year, continues to promote her son's legacy by attending
drag shows and pageants around the world. 
late son who often impersonate
him. "I could cry buckets every time I see someone on stage
impersonating and performing as my Glenny (Divine)." 
As difficult as it is
for many parents to accept their gay child's sexuality, it must
be exorbitantly difficult to accept a son who is world renowned
for his grotesque genius. France explained not only the rebellious
spirit of Divine but also the nurturing, forgiving and unconditional
love that she has for her gay son.
have never felt anything less than blessed to have
a child as truly special as Glenny (Divine)."
It's amazing the energetic
spirit that Frances possesses when it comes to carrying the torch
in love and honor of her late son Divine. She shows no signs
of slowing down.