Oh, the dog days of summer heat are upon us! This month, I feel the need to heat things up even more by interviewing Miss Gay Kansas City, Moltyn Decadence (also known as Ryan Webster). I have had the honor and privilege of seeing this beautiful performer at the University of Kansas Gaypril Brown Bag Drag on numerous occasions. My favorite performance involved a Beyoncé song and the biggest, most fabulous wig -- I was absolutely floored!
1. How long have you been performing drag?
I have been performing for over 10 fabulous years. Well, the last seven years have been fabulous. The first three were more formative than fabulous, and luckily there aren’t many photos from those years.
2. What do you find most exciting about performing?
As a young lady boy, I was always fascinated by the captivating way that noble blacktresses (black actresses) like Dorothy Dandridge and Josephine Baker used a combination of feathers, furs, beautiful hair, revealing hemlines and music to bring an audience to the brink of overstimulation. Once the curtain rises, for a brief moment the audience and I are whisked away from the mundane details of our lives and thrust into a four-minute fantasy world that has no comparison. Drag is such a beautiful fusion of art forms, but having the opportunity to create a stunning visual and audio experience is definitely the most exciting part of performing! Glitter comes in a close second.
3. What is currently your favorite number to perform and why?
“It’s Your World” by Jennifer Hudson. If my drag personality could sound like anyone, it would definitely be Miss JHUD, and this would be my theme song! The music has a delicious throwback feel, with lyrics that are delightfully sexual without being too vulgar. I can’t listen to this song without my mood instantly improving, and it hopefully reads that way when I perform it!
4. Have you faced any adversity as an African American drag queen?
Honey, you have no idea! With all of the advances that we’ve made as a people in the last 10 years toward a more inclusive and accepting world, you’d think that some of the challenges of the past would finally be over. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Considering the dramatic increase in visibility of drag entertainers in social media, television and film, a lack of understanding of my chosen art form still persists. As an African American drag queen, I consistently face discrimination from all sides. There’s the traditional racial discrimination that people of color still face. There’s the discrimination that comes from LGBT folks who feel challenged by my lack of concern for masculinity.
Unfortunately, there’s also the discrimination I face that comes from confused members of the African American community who view my ability to entertain a diverse audience at multiple venues as being “whitewashed” (a ridiculous term for being culturally assimilated to more mainstream white culture). Then there’s the splash of body-image discrimination that comes from being a plus-sized queen. I’ve had to grow thick skin to take it all in stride and pour myself into a costume again and again over these years. It’s not always been easy, but each time I overcome a challenge, I become a stronger person for it. I’ve learned to love the people who stand in my way. They give me the motivation to reach for new heights, and in return I continue to give them something to watch.
5. You are finishing up your term as Miss Gay Kansas City. What has this experience been like for you?
It was such a beautiful year. I met so many wonderful people. I was able to entertain on stages both familiar and new. I found strength of will that I never possessed before. My reign was filled with challenges, injured dancers, friendships lost and gained, more rhinestones than I can count, and a list of lessons learned a mile long. Most important, I gained a deeper understanding of what community really means. Until my reign as Miss Gay Kansas City, I would have told you that common interests and location make a community. I now know more concretely than ever before that it’s the way we support each other, the way we show compassion to one another and our support of the less fortunate in our own backyards that make a community.
6. You have some pageants coming up this fall. How has your experience as Miss Gay Kansas City prepared you for these (whether competing as a contestant or not)?
I’ve learned more about the meaning of competition than ever before. Competition can bring out the worst in people. It shines a light on people’s insecurities and flaws and can make them lash out hurtfully. Competition can also bring out the best in people. It can show you the vulnerability it takes to rely on a team. It can allow you to develop relationships with people who share a common goal and vision. It can allow you to grow and understand the hard work and dedication it takes to become a winner. In life, we’re always striving to make it to the top of some ladder, and usually the focus is only on reaching the top. This year, I learned to appreciate each step and I learned how beautiful the view can be if you share it with loved ones. A queen is only as good as her queendom, and my experiences as Miss Gay Kansas City definitely taught the meaning of being Royal.
7. You have performed in KU’s Gaypril Brown Bag Drag several times, and you’re one of my favorite performers of the show! How does this show differ from others?
The Brown Bag is such a unique show because it removes so many barriers that may keep people from seeing a fabulous show! An admission-free, university-funded, lunchtime drag show being thrown on campus allows for so many people to have easy access to seeing what I love to do, without any of the stigma attached to being at a “gay bar.” Now don’t get me wrong, I love performing in queer spaces, but I remember a little closeted kid who stumbled his way into a college drag show in 2004 much like Brown Bag who was given a glimpse of a life that could be filled with something other than heartache. I like to think that we serve as really tall, fabulous symbols of life getting better.
8. Not only do you perform, but you also cut and style hair, as well as make beautiful wigs and hairpieces through Decadent Things Hair Creations. What do you find most rewarding about this work?
We’re so attached to our hair that it can have a huge impact on our sense of self. Hair might not seem like a big deal to most people, but let me tell you, at 23, when mine started to fall out, I felt broken and unattractive. When I decided to start styling hair, it wasn’t only to create beauty, but to give the people who entrust me with their locks a new way to look at themselves. Our hair, whether wig or real, doesn’t define us, but if I can create a look for someone that even for a moment makes them feel more decadent and beautiful than they did before, there’s nothing more rewarding.
9. You appear to perform all over the place, bringing your fabulous self to so many different audiences. What do you like to do on your down time?
I try and support as many local organizations through volunteerism as I can. It sounds silly, but I’d rather spend my free time bettering my community than watching the newest show on Netflix. When I’m not trying to save the world or something, you can catch me at a live music venue with a gin and tonic in my hand or in some quiet nook with my nose in a book and a cup of coffee.
10. If you could take a vacation to any destination, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids in Egypt! There’s so much mystery, beauty and human accomplishment tied to one place that I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else if given the opportunity!
Photo: Vixen Pinup Photography
SEE A PERFORMANCE
Moltyn Decadence -- along with Widow Von’Du, Regina La-rae and more -- will be performing in Late Night Theater’s Black Bewitched, a satire of the TV show from the 1960s and ‘70s. The show runs Aug. 28-Sept. 28 on the stage at Missie B’s, 805 W. 39th St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are available at Black Bewitched Tickets"
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.