7. Vida Boheme, Chi Chi Rodriguez, & Noxeema Jackson (To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar)
If you haven't seen this gem of a movie, Patrick Swayze's character Vida Boheme describes it perfectly in a deleted scene: it's Easy Rider in dresses. These three drag queens - portrayed by Swayze (Vida), Wesley Snipes (Noxeema Jackson), and John Leguizamo (Chi Chi Rodriguez) - rank together on our list because, frankly, it was too difficult ranking them separately as they complimented each other so The film follows the three drag queens as they travel from New York to California - via car - to compete in the Miss Drag Queen of American Pageant, with the young and unpolished Chi Chi acting as the protege of the experienced Noxeema and Vida. Unfortunately, the trio wind up stranded in a rundown town and must conceal the fact they are cross-dressing gay men while their car is being repaired. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ7l7E1DqA4 While the characters are mainly played for laughs, they each bring with them their own fears and aspirations, the common denominator being that they just want to be loved and accepted for who they are, which anyone (gay or straight) can relate to. Through these three queens, the audience learns four valuable life lessons: let good thoughts be your sword and shield, ignore adversity, abide by the rules of love, and larger than life is just the right size.
Tommy Bobby Watanabe is an aspiring American novelist, stage actor, playwright, former LGBT rights activist, and has three years of independent professional wrestling experience and has been a big fan since 1998. An avid horror movie buff and comic book aficionado, TBW is honored to be featured on WhatCulture with some of the Internet's most talented writers and looks to spread his own knowledge and wit to WhatCulture's loyal readers.
