Drag Queens Come and Go, But Few Survive the Test of Time—Just Ask Linda Simpson!

Since the 1980s, the multi-faceted DQ has shined as a nightlife personality, media maven, performer, game-show hostess and drag documentarian. Known for her witty demeanor and unique blend of sass and class, she enthusiastically embraces the role she was
born to play—a reigning queen!

Here's Linda Simpson!



★  PRESS MENTIONS FOR LINDA  ★

"A worldly wit... A kind of mother superior of the New York drag scene." —The New York Times

"The thinking woman's drag queen." —Paper Magazine

"The ultimate hostess: a drag queen with no specific gimmick to speak of except for charm, wit, and a fondness for corny jokes." —ButtMagazine.com

"Linda Simpson quotes and quips for the quality-seeking queer in all of us." —Genre




NIGHTLIFE

Queen for a Night at the Building nightclub in 1991.
Queen for a Night at the Building nightclub in 1991.

Like most drag queens, Linda Simpson was born after dark, starting out at the legendary Pyramid Club, the hub of the campy East Village scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, she's been involved in nightlife ventures galore, from hosting weekly parties to producing and promoting large-scale special events.


MEDIA

Early issue of My Comrade magazine.
Early issue of My Comrade magazine.

Linda's first media project was My Comrade magazine, a campy mix of drag queen culture and gay activism. The magazine published from 1986 to 1995, and enjoyed a revival a decade later. Her other journalism credits include writing columns for HX and Out magazines, and assisting her male alter ego, Les Simpson, during his three years as editor of the Gay & Lesbian section for Time Out New York magazine. Her internet credits include Nerve.com, ArtFagCity and The Huffington Post.


PLAYWRIGHTING

Backstage in the dressing room.
Backstage in the dressing room.

Linda has written and produced four dark comedies—The Tranny Chase and The Final Episode (both produced at P.S. 122), The Bad Hostess (at La Mama Theatre), and The Emperor's New Codpiece (at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street).


PERFORMANCE

Trophy Girl!
Trophy Girl!

All of Linda's plays have starred her in the leading role, including a Medieval ruler, a troubled talk-show hostess, and a drag queen searching for love. She's also shown off her acting abilities in a variety of movies, television shows and YouTube skits.


BINGO

Searching for winners!
Searching for winners!

Linda's career path took an interesting turn around 2000 when she began hosting Bingo, and realized it quite suited her game-show sensibility. She has since become one of NYC's premier Bingo hostesses, giving new life to the classic game of chance. For all the scoop, visit LindaLovesBingo.com.


DRAG DOCUMENTARIAN

The dressing room of the Pyramid Club, 1992. Photo by me!
The dressing room of the Pyramid Club, 1992. Photo by me!

One of Linda's most acclaimed projects is The Drag Explosion, featuring her photos of New York's momentous drag scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The multi-media undertaking includes a website (TheDragExplosion.com) and a slideshow that she has presented in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Copenhagen.