Eric Swanson, an activist and drag artist also known as Miss Bouvèé, finds laughter is more than just the best medicine — “a laugh can change the world.” The star of Hulu’s Big Easy Queens, a new glam-horror comedy, notes that humor “trivializes big issues to make them seem utterly ridiculous and embarrassing, because a lot of times, they are.”
Coming out has been Swanson’s largest challenge over time, “especially since I’ve had to do it many times in multiple industries ranging from theater to education.” He’s found that “educating people on what our community is, how I fit in, and the dangers I faced at certain career points in my life was very eye-opening” to people who weren’t as exposed to queer stories.
Swanson is currently developing a new period film titled Fiddler’s Green, which “tells a queer love story at the rise of the fascist Nazi Party and the implementation of the infamous pink triangle.” He’s also fighting to keep drag and rainbow crosswalks in Florida. During such dire times, Swanson recalls a lesson taught by a mentor: “If you cannot choose love, choose respect.” @missbouvee
Years before Stonewall, a cafeteria riot became a breakthrough for trans rights
All about the Compton's Cafeteria riot, when drag queens and trans women rose up against police at a diner in San Francisco.