Blogs by Linda Krauss

Born and raised in New York City, my mother took me to my first Broadway musical at the age of six. This had such an impact on my young psyche that I spent the rest of my formative years indulging in all things theatrical - acting, dancing, singing, and dreaming of being discovered.  In my early twenties I moved to Greenwich Village, one block from the heart of all things gay, Christopher Street. The Gay PRIDE movement was in full force, and so it was only natural, being in the eye of this perfect queer storm, that I came out, loud and proud, as a lesbian. While soaking up the glorious arts culture of NYC, which I did with a vengeance, I realized that on every level of this vast rich culture were gay artists, directors, dancers, painters, choreographers, fashion and costume designers, actors and producers who were the creative forces behind most of what society was being influenced by. 

Finding my niche as a producer I put my talent to work in the cabaret and off-off Broadway circuit which was a thriving form of entertainment in NYC in the 1980’s and 90’s. During this time I met and worked with a treasure trove of queer legends such as Quentin Crisp, Leigh Bowery, Holly Woodlawn, Audre Lord, Stormy, and performance artist Karen Finley. It was a time when soon to be queer legends like Barry Manilow worked for tips at the downtown piano bars and cabarets, thankful to take any job that would allow them to hone their craft. With every breath I took I ingested the creative juices of all my queer brothers and sisters who enriched life.

Since moving to Santa Fe in the mid- 1990’s, I have successfully combined my talent as a producer with my deep appreciation and knowledge of queer culture and community.  And in so doing I experience a profound sense of déjà vu knowing that on every level of Santa Fe’s vast rich culture are gay artists, painters, fashion and jewelry designers, chefs, writers, dancers and producers who are the creative forces behind much of what defines our famous art scene. Within the local Native American and Hispanic cultures, not normally associated with queerness, there also thrives a plethora of artists who are openly gay and creatively successful.

Considering that June is Gay PRIDE month all around the world, and the launching of the new santafe.com website is in June what better time to introduce Queer Qulturist, on the OUTside, looking in.