#sobriety

On Sunday, June 18, 2017, I walked into Hammerstein Ballroom for “Broadway Bares“ and joy surged through my body.

“I’m sober because of ‘Broadway Bares,’ and I’m in ‘Broadway Bares’ because I’m sober.”

It’s incredible how recalling the hope and enjoyment from three years ago can bring a smile to my face and make me feel re-nude.

Going on tour forced me to face my codependent nature.

Whether dancing with the Drag Race queens or raising HIV awareness, I began to feel hope for myself and others.

I didn’t realize how much HIV stigma affected me, until I got a golden career opportunity.

I felt powerful. And it wasn’t just from looking beautiful.

I’d be more vulnerable than ever before. Something told me it was time.

And it all began with a questionnaire and a Cookie.

One day it hit me: I was addicted to chaos.

I rinsed away my six months of sobriety and I could only think about how free my first few moments of being high again felt.

A moment of grace—and some amazing advice—from a police officer. Would I take it?

A descent into decadence. But why, and at what cost?

“I feel guilty for outliving all of you.”

I made it through Black Party weekend sober, but a bigger temptation awaited.

In “I Favor My Daddy,” Jamie tells his conservative father Daddy Poo about sex with priests, crack addicts and dwarves.