Jun 12, 2009  |  By: Staff & Wire Reports  | COMMENTS     

The reasons BLAIR MICHAELS (aka Andrew Abell) started doing drag and why he continues to do it are different. “It started for the attention,” he says. The first time he put on a dress was in 1982 on a lark with a friend who did drag. It started getting serious that Halloween when he did it again. The first time he performed in drag, to Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” while he was still in high school, earned raves. A manager at the now-closed Fantasies (Michaels grew up in Bowie, Md.) told him he could do another number if he let someone else do his makeup. He agreed but ended up with fuchsia eye shadow he couldn’t remove and shaved eyebrows. “I wore sunglasses the next day to school and told everybody I had pink eye. Which of course I did.”

But the early years weren’t all fun. Michaels got kicked out of his house at age 16 and ended up living with an attorney his guidance counselor put him in touch with. He later followed his then-porn star boyfriend to Los Angeles and decided to stay with two weeks’ worth of clothes in his suitcase and $60. “I thought what do I have to go back to,” he says. That started a West Coast stint that found him living, at various times, in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He met his husband, Brad Michaels, at a clothing store in San Diego where they were both shopping. They eventually moved to D.C. in 1992 where they’ve been ever since. He eventually reconciled with his parents. Michaels does drag full time and performs every Friday and Saturday night at Town. He has two large racks and a walk-in closet crammed with gowns and guesses he has about 75 wigs. He says the appeal now comes from being able to lend name recognition — which he’s earned from years of local performing — to charitable events.

“The name recognition you can add to a cause is huge,” he says. For his efforts, he’s being honored as a Capital Pride Hero this year. Andrew and Brad have been together 18 years and have a dog and a cat, Liza and Bowser. Michaels unwinds with PlayStation 2, figure skating and watching classic old movies.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
This is hard. I was forced to come out while still in high school to my parents. It was devastating and I was thrown out because of it. But it’s made me the man I am today.

Who’s your gay hero?
My original drag mother, the legendary Lala Maharis. He taught me so much and to always see the best in people and to never take a day or person for granted.

What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Well, since I’ve been around for a few years (LOL) — in the ’80s it was the Lost and Found for me. In the ’90s Ziegfelds and today, well it’s Town Danceboutique.

If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?
Brad and I are planning on tying the knot legally next year on our 20th anniversary somewhere up north! So YES!

What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?
Making people understand that our God-given rights are something that we all should have, not just a select few.

What historical outcome would you change?
The day that Harvey Milk was assassinated. It changed a lot and I always wonder what today would be like with him in our picture.

What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
The emergence of RuPaul — that a drag queen could become famous for singing and being fabulous!

On what reality TV show would you fare best?
Two — “Amazing Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?
My letterman’s shirt when I was a cheerleader for Bowie Sr. High.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Lipstick and Paint Makes a Man What He Ain’t”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Pray! Only God has the power to change those types of things.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
That there are angels watching over us every day that give those who ask for it a little nudge when needed.

What would you order for your last meal?
A four-pound lobster, mashed potatoes and garlic bread.

What would you walk across hot coals for?
My husband Brad. Yes, after 18 years I do call him that!

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