Drag queen Sushi reveals inside scoop as preface to special exhibit presented by Key West Art & Historical Society

As many locals and CNN news watchers already know, Key West’s beloved drag queen Sushi is synonymous with a glittering red shoe and the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Some have also had the pleasure of enjoying one of her nightly cabaret performances, witnessing her gorgeously done-up face, spectacular hand-made dresses, and exuberant persona. But make no mistake. The House Queen of 801 is anything but a queen bee.

Like most of the drag queens or members of the Key West LBGQT community, Sushi is always hard at work, often donating her time and talents to community organizations in need. We caught up with her while she was in New York City prepping for Fashion Week as a runway stylist and model fitter to get the inside scoop of life in drag and a sneak peek into the upcoming Key West Art & Historical Society exhibit—What a Drag!, opening Friday, September 18th — in which she and other queens will be celebrated.

What’s in a name? From Soy Sauce to Sushi:

Sushi started her career 35 years ago in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 17, when the New Wave scene and Boy George took her by storm. At that time, she was known as Gary Marion or Soy Sauce, wearing Esprit sweaters and flats.

“My friend put me in real drag and said, “You can’t go as Soy Sauce. You’re too fishy (a drag term for girly, or queens that look like real women),” says Marion. “So he named me Sushi.”

In two short years, Sushi was performing at Portland’s City Night Club wearing bullet bras, a corset, and six-inch heels, forever transformed into the glamorous drag queen we know and love today.

The boy name/girl name etiquette:

“Some people don’t like to be called their drag name when they’re dressed as a boy, but I don’t care. Most people call me Sushi and don’t even know my real name.”

How long does it take you to put on your make-up?

“I’ve got my face down— it takes about thirty minutes. For New Year’s, it takes about an hour. It takes about an hour from boy to girl for most drag queens to make the transformation. That’s putting the wig on, the dress, and the makeup.”

Approximately how much do you spend on make-up, wigs, and costumes a year?

“Easily thousands of dollars. My New Year’s Eve outfits cost a thousand dollars, with all the fabric and time I put in. I’ve made every New Year’s Eve outfit except for three in the last 17 years.”

Do you have a current favorite dress or accessory?

“My favorite dress is going to be at the Custom House exhibit. It’s an Oriental dress I made from two old wedding kimonos I got online from a vintage kimono company in Tokyo. I LOVE it.”

In the land of flip-flops, how high are your high heels?

“My highest heels are 7 inches. My standards are 6 inches.”

Any secret tips you apply to your getting-ready repertoire?

“Don’t drink beforehand.”

Can you talk a little about the charity work you do?

“I do a lot of charity work. For Fantasy Fest, I donate my services to people who run for King and Queen to make outfits for them. If they buy the fabric, I make the outfit. I do the same thing for the Queen Mother; I always donate a beautiful gown.”

Sushi rarely gets paid to appear at events surrounding these and other fundraising efforts for organizations that include AIDS Help, Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Florida Keys, Helpline, Metropolitan Community Church, the Leukemia Society, Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys, and the local SPCA, so her time and entertainment talents are also donated.

Do you have time for any other hobbies or work?

“I manage the 801 cabaret. My hobby is sewing. It’s a good thing I love to sew. It’s a pretty good fit.”

Is there a drag queen myth you’d like to debunk?

“We’re not all feminine. A lot of us are butch out of drag.”

Can you riff on a few things drag queens know?   Truisms of sorts?

“My slogan when I am signing something is “Life is a drag without you.” But truisms— no. I’m just like everyone else.”

Just like everyone else? But what about the larger-than-life personality you’ve created? Do you feel like that person all the time?

“Well that’s Sushi! Oh, no- that takes all the makeup, the heels… I really don’t’ feel like I’m in drag until I put my lipstick on.”

Exhibit Details:

The September 18 gala at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street, Key West, opens to the general public 6:00-7:30 pm, with a suggested donation of $10. KWAHS members enjoy VIP access from 5:30-6:00 pm. Guests can mingle with some of Key West’s famous drag queens. What a Drag! runs until December 2 and is sponsored by Aqua Bar & Nightclub, the Key West Business Guild, Leather Master of Key West, and Monkey Apple Art Factory. Items, artifacts and more are on loan from 801 Cabaret, Bourbon Street and the fabulous Queens of Key West.

The exhibit will layer in special events and programs as Halloween and Fantasy Fest approach; stay tuned to KWAHS.ORG for more information. To learn more about the exhibit, call KWAHS Curator Cori Convertito, PhD, at 295.6616 x 112 or visit WWW.KWAHS.ORG. To become a member, please contact Gerri Sidoti at [email protected] or call 295.6616 x106. Your

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