WE'RE EXCITED TO FEATURE DIAMOND DIOR DAVENPORT AS OUR FEATURED NIGHT OWL FOR JULY

• Tell us about your role/involvement in the arts and nightlife entertainment. 

I’m a show director and drag entertainer at multiple bars in Austin Texas. 

• Boundaries show up in all areas of life. How does boundary-setting show up in your professional life (setting boundaries with patrons, club owners, coworkers, friends who come to shows, etc)? 

When it comes to boundaries, I’ve had to set them with patrons, club owners and coworkers. You have to let them know what you are and aren’t comfortable with and what you will allow at shows. My friends usually don’t cross boundaries at shows because they know proper show etiquette. 

• Everyone experiences obstacles in life. Have you experienced any social stigma or prejudice as a nightlife artist? If so, please share your experience and how you cope with it. If not, skip this question. 

Absolutely! As a black entertainer we experience social stigma all the time! Most show directors won’t put black artist on shows unless they need us as the token black artist or to create a little diversity on their cast. I deal with this by creating safe spaces for the poc community to perform and feel like a priority.

• Tell us about the roadblocks you’ve encountered as a nightlife entertainer and how you managed it.

Roadblocks don’t come as often because I believe if there isn’t a seat at the table, build your own! So no one can tell you no. 

• What role has therapy and/or self-care played in your life? 

Therapy has helped me place things into perspective and think about things clearly before reacting right away. 

• Is there anything you would like your audience to know as far as etiquette before/during/after a performance (on tipping, heckling, talking, etc)? If so, please share. If not, skip this question. 

The patrons should ask before touching us, do not walk across the stage during a performance, just because you tip us doesn’t mean you can do what you want to us. 

• What is a valuable lesson you have learned in your industry? 

A valuable lesson I’ve learned in this industry is to not take opportunities for granted. And to take care of your body. 

• We have a healthy respect for those who identify themselves as sex workers and those who identify as nightlife entertainers. However, some nightlife entertainers identify as both because they consider drag/burlesque/exotic performance to be sex work. Do you consider drag/burlesque/exotic performance in the same category of sex work? Why or why not? 

I do not consider drag sex work because I’m not having sex with the patrons for money! I’m performing on stage in front of a crowd not and individual.