Jan 11, 2008   | COMMENTS     

Anyone who’s big into the local gay music scene will surely recognize PAULINE ANSON-DROSS. She and her partner, Davi Anson-Dross, are part of the all-lesbian band Wicked Jezabel, which was just nominated in the Best Hard Rock category of this year’s Washington Area Music Association’s awards (awards are given in February). A life-long musician — she started playing for pay at age 12 — Pauline joined a country and pop band right out of high school and began working locally, including opening for national acts. Years later, she joined up with the well-loved Outskirts of Town (where she met Davi), and once Outskirts disbanded in June of 2006, Pauline put her full efforts into Wicked Jezabel. Aside from all her music gigs, she also works for the Bethesda Food Co-op. Pauline and Davi, who’ve been together for eight years, live in Fairfax, Va., with a host of pets. More information about Wicked Jezabel can be found at www.wickedjezabel.com.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I’ve been out since I was about 17, but I always knew since I was four. Early on, it was hardest to tell a few family members, even though they knew. But it was always hardest to tell any straight woman I had a serious crush on. Most now know that I’m gay, but to this day, many still don’t know that I had crushes on them!

Who’s your gay hero?

My wife, Davi. She is herself everywhere she goes, and she doesn’t even look the stereotype. She fools people all the time and doesn’t have to. She also sponsors a GSA (gay-straight alliance) at her job to help teenagers have a healthy outlet for their issues.

What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

I prefer places that have live music. Very few gay and lesbian nightspots support this, unfortunately. This is why Davi and I have been doing the lesbian band thing all over the mid-Atlantic for so many years.

If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?

Absolutely, but only with the right one! I got unexpectedly blessed. Davi and I got married at the Arlington Metaphysical Chapel in 2000. We are still together and grateful for that!

What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?

The natural foods industry versus the FDA and the insurance companies! I think the government and the insurance companies care more about Wall Street than a person’s basic right to be healthy. The other non-gay issue that is just as important to me is animal rights and human responsibilities for animals domestically and globally.

What historical outcome would you change?

I would change nothing. The reason being is that I think the world is supposed to be a mess. I think this place is nothing but a school and eventually we learn our lessons well enough to graduate and never come back. This doesn’t mean that we cannot enjoy ourselves either, but it comes only after the work.

What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

I have basically two. The mid-’60s with the British explosion of The Beatles (I always wanted to be a Beatle!). Then there was the mid-’80s — I deejayed all through it as DJ Skunk, (I still do some events today), and I totally loved it!

On what reality TV show would you fare best?

“American Band Idol!” Maybe a Rockstar Supernova type of a show. Improv comedy shows perhaps. I love to make people laugh, feel love, rock and be happy.

What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?

I don’t think I have any clothes from that time, but I do have an old beach towel with a peace sign on an American Flag on it. I was always a “Give peace a chance” kinda kid.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Pauline, The Movie!” Then volume two, “The Continuing Saga of ‘Pauline, the Movie!’”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

I’m already a straight man in a lesbian body — doesn’t take science to solve that! Bottom line is, I love women. They are my favorite species! As a male or female, I’ll always be driven toward the femme-ish, blonde, beautiful, talented … well, you get the picture. I could handle it ...