Photographer Kelly Fitzgerald Honors Drag

Kelly Fitzgerald is a 30-year fine art photographer, who has spent years traveling the world with his backpack, a 35mm camera and rolls of black-and-white film. His dedication to the traditions of the craft have paid off.

Fitzgerald's photographs have been in numerous exhibits throughout the United States and Europe and he has won several awards including The Golden Light and the IPA Lu- cie. He was honored at The Hubbard Museum in association with The Smithsonian Institution and was the first photographer to receive the Gene Harrison Memorial Award in 2003.

In a complete 180 from his landscape work, Fitzgerald's exhibit, "All Hail the Queen" is an important departure. This exhibit reveals a unique slice of LGBT history, especially when placed in the context of today's world of fast-changing LGBT rights and a broader community acceptance.

Tell me about this series of photos.

I took these photographs back when I was a bartender for eight or nine years at The Flame, a lesbian bar. In 1996, Tootie asked to perform a drag show there one night a week and Doug Shaw gave him the break. Drag queens would walk by the counter and they were so feminine. Most of the women patrons were so butch, it was neat to see such femininity. I started off photographing drag queens in San Diego and that summer I went up to San Francisco for the Wigstock event. I focused on street photography; I would see a drag queen and say, "Hey, can I photograph you?"

Why show these photos now?

I recently came across the images; a friend saw a few of the prints and encouraged me to do something with them. We were struck by how different drag was at that time; it was a lot more experimental back then and it was not as accepted. RuPaul did not exist; there was nothing about drag on TV or in popular culture. We've come a long way and I love the historical aspect of these photos.

How did you decide which of the photos to show?

I had 5x7 proof prints made. There were about 300 and a friend helped me narrow them down to 80. Then, I had to narrow down the 80 to only 13 for the gallery. It became about stance, placement of hands, the details. The whole process was a labor of love and it took half a year to get to the show opened. You'll just have to see it!

What have you enjoyed most about the process of putting together "All Hail the Queen?"

I love that it came together and opened during Gay Pride. I also was surprised and pleased to have so much community support. The show is sponsored by Mo's, Baja Betty's, Gossip Grill, Ray Street Custom Framing, Nelson Photo, Redwing Bar & Grill and Bellrock Growers.

Is there anything else you want to share with readers about the show or yourself as an artist?

I am pretty proud to be the first transgender artist to show at Ray Street Custom Framing and Art Gallery.

If there is a place in the article to mention that I am a transmale, then please, by all means mention it. I personally feel we need more of an awareness of transgendered individuals in our society.

What's next for you? Will you ever make street art like this again?

The response at the opening was overwhelming to me, but these photos are from such a different time in my life. There is much more pressure to sell my landscape art now. On so many levels, the photos featured in this show could never happen again. But, I would love to see this show go national.

You can view "All Hail the Queen" at Ray Street Custom Framing & Art Gallery through September 9. A special "Meet the Artist" reception takes place Saturday, August 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. For ques- tions and more information call 619.255.2022 or go to raystreetcustomframing.com.

To see more of Fitzgerald's work visit kellyfitzgeraldphoto.com.