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an essay
life on the other side of the trax

Written by Vida Cooper

29 January 2006

Homo, lesbo, dyke, fag�hate terms are not welcome at Trax where homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, and heterosexuals gather together with a common value: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Trax is a world where men are free to hike their skirts, and women to sport baggies. Rainbows symbolize gay pride, and the floor is evacuated for the dancing queens. It is a world of freedom, homogeny, and expression.
As the music fades, the crowd strips away allowing for the entrance of Alexis KarMichael, Miss Trax four years running. All eyes are on her dark, slender body as she spins and twirls in the spotlight. She has the attitude of a supermodel, the grace of a ballerina, and the rhythm of a Broadway star. Spectators trade dollars for kisses and tap to the beat, eyes locked until the song comes to its end, and Alexis struts offstage toward the dressing room where she removes her wig, skirt, and hose reverting to Calvin, a slim male with exceptional physique and the same intense eyes possessed only moments ago by an exotic dancer adorned with rubies and rhinestones.
Alexis has dubbed Trax as her workplace for four years. She has been recognized as Miss Trax, a title given only to the top dancer all throughout her employment. She is the �Dancing Diva,� the pride of Trax, and everybody knows it. She has been granted opportunities to make appearances in pageants, but Alexis clams, �I am not conceited. I know I�m pretty, but I really hate pageants. I hate competing.� Alexis proudly represents Trax, whether by gracing it with her presence or by flaunting Trax pride in similar environments.
Other queens refer to Alexis as their �drag mother,� which includes responsibilities such as teaching her �drag daughters� dance steps, assisting with make-up and outfit choices, and offering any other necessary advice. Drag parenting is similar to big sister/little sister pairing as practiced in university and college sororities. In many circumstances, the drag mother and some of her drag children live together outside of work.
Work life and drag life are two completely different worlds for everybody in the family. �[Trax] is my job,� explains Alexis, �It�s their job, too.� Michael B., who refers to his position as the �floater,� clarifies that working at Trax is his nine-to-five. He describes his job as the following: �Our life is reversed to everybody else�s. We�ve done a full days work but at night.� His night life is his day job from nine pm until five am.
Upon entering Trax, the first friendly face to be seen is most likely that of Michael B. He describes his position at Trax, �I think of myself as hospitality. I float around asking, �What can I do to make your night better.� I try to keep everybody happy. I get people to want to come, and once they�re here, I get them to want to come back.� Trax caters to both gay and straight clientele. He proclaims, �Our crowd is so diverse. That�s what I love about this bar.� No matter the culture, people gather to witness the suave moves of Alexis KarMichael as well as high notes of the talented Mr. Steven Walker.
Aretha Franklin enters stage right in the form of Steven, often achieving pitches higher than those reached by the artist herself. Steven opts not to dress in drag as he makes his way across the floor, often inviting fans to join him in a dance on stage. He graciously accepts contributions with gratitude and dignity. Proud of his talent, Steven exits the stage bidding adieu to his fans, allowing them to thirst each night for one last song to bring them temporary escape from life outside this haven.
Trax is not just another bar; it is not merely a gay bar. It serves as a safe harbor for all counter-cultured individuals from liberalists to hippies to homosexuals to open-minded heterosexuals just looking for a great time and an accepting environment. However, upon entering Trax, there are several procedures which are often seen as unnecessary by other clubs and bars. Immediately after the buzzer sounds - granting entry through the windowless metal door - one must submit their belongings and allow one guard to inspect them while another uses a metal detector to search for concealed weaponry. Though this somewhat unique procedure, as well as the additional fee paid by those who are under the legal drinking age, is somewhat tedious and inconvenient, at the end of the night, it is always worth the effort.
The Thursday night is young as the sun sets over the West Side. The usual clubs have lost their captivating allure. The music of the night is calling, the ladies are dancing, the booze is chilled, and as always, the crowd is fierce. Welcome to the other side of the Trax.
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