Maxi Glamour is the stage name of Maximus Ademaus Glamour,[1] a non-binary multi-disciplinary drag artist[2] and elected official from St. Louis, Missouri, and the self-titled "Demon Queen of Polka and Baklava". They were a contestant in Season 3 of The Boulet Brothers' Dragula.

Artistic career

Glamour claims influences from the Dada movement and artist Marcel Duchamp. They call their own art form "Modernadada".[3]

Dragula

Glamour may be the first drag performer from St. Louis to appear on a major televised drag competition. Their international debut was in The Boulet Brothers' Dragula Season 3 in 2019.[4] They participated in the first episode elimination challenge, which involved skydiving in drag,[5] and were eliminated in the fourth episode.[6]

Music

Glamour plays flute and other instruments.[3] They signed with independent label Trans Trenderz for an experimental debut album, Modernadada, released in 2021.[7] Q Review describes the album as a "battle-cry" and allegory for self-actualization.[8]

Other

In 2023, Glamour collaborated with CuCo (Culture Collective) on a line of cannabis flower called Faeded, debuted at a show with the same name.[9]

Political career

Activism

Glamour founded the St. Louis-based Qu'art in 2014 to organize shows promoting diversity in the queer arts scene, citing PLUR (Peace Love Unity Respect) from the raver scene as an influence. Glamour is outspoken about the lack of Black performers at Queer events in the St. Louis area, and has said, "If you're a producer and you're not putting Black people in your show, maybe you shouldn't be producing."[6] Glamour also advocates for transgender, AFAB,[5] and non-Black people of color performers.[10] To promote civic and political education, each Qu'art event includes a panel featuring community leaders, activists, and artists speaking about issues that affect Queer lives.[11]

Glamour has also demonstrated in full drag, including in front of former mayor Lyda Krewson's home. Glamour created a petition calling for Krewson's resignation[3] at a debate they organized focused on local LGBTQ+ issues for the 2021 St. Louis mayoral election,[12] and in the Missouri House of Representatives when testifying against an anti-drag and anti-trans bill.[13]

Committeeperson

Glamour is the first non-binary person to run for committee member in St. Louis. Their priorities include decriminalization of sex work and psilocybin, divestment from military spending, promote ecological sustainability, and justice for trans, intersex and non-binary individuals. They believe St. Louis can become better by recognizing diverse gender identities in official documents and banning non-consensual medical interventions for intersex minors. They also call for publicly-funded K-12 school programs to alleviate gender-based bullying.[14] They won the election in 2024.[15]

References

  1. ^ Brown, Danielle (25 June 2022). "A Rebirth". stlamerican.com. St. Louis American. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Fowler, Nancy (28 November 2018). "The changing face of drag: 'Not exactly a woman but I don't want to be a man'". news.stlpublicradio.org. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  3. ^ a b c Hurwitz, Ashley Jones and Sophie (22 July 2020). "Drag star brings art to front lines of STL's movement for Black lives". St. Louis American. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  4. ^ Hemphill, Evie (Aug 28, 2019). "Performer Maxi Glamour Does St. Louis Proud On Season 3 Of 'Boulet Brothers' Dragula'". news.stlpublicradio.org. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  5. ^ a b Gardner, Luke (January 24, 2020). "Maxi Glamour on Dragula, breaking stereotypes, and fighting for diverse lineups". WUSSY MAG. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  6. ^ a b Andoe, Chris. "Maxi Glamour, "Demon Queen of Polka and Baklava," Is Going Global". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  7. ^ Velasquez, Juan (May 21, 2021). "New Music Friday: Amorphous, Kehlani, Lil Nas X, Aja, Young M.A, More". them. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  8. ^ "Trans Trenderz Sign Maxi Glamour". Q REVIEW. May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  9. ^ BeLeaf Medical (2023-10-02). "CuCo Cannabis brand to debut at Faeded event featuring Maxi Glamour on October 6". Greenway Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  10. ^ Schmidt, Kevin (2017-01-03). "Max 10: Ten Things You Need You Know About Maxi Glamour". The Vital Voice. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  11. ^ Barton, Joss (2019-03-30). "Maxi Glamour: God Save the Queen". Out in STL. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  12. ^ "Drag Queen Maxi Glamour hosts St. Louis Mayoral Debate on Queer+ Issues". Out in STL. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  13. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 8, 2024). "'Dragula' star attends government hearing in drag, slams anti-trans bill". EW.com. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
  14. ^ Halilbasic, Layla (2024-05-01). "Drag artist Maxi Glamour runs as first non-binary committee member for City of St. Louis". Webster Journal. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
  15. ^ Andoe, Chris (2024-12-23). "2024 Queer-in-Review". Out in STL. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxi_Glamour
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