Vicci Laine

Vicci Laine
Born (1960-05-28) May 28, 1960
Tacoma, Washington, United States
Ethnicity American Indian (Cherokee), Greek, Italian, Dutch
Height 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m)

Vicci Laine (born May 28, 1960, Tacoma, Washington, United States) is the stage name of an American transgender stage performer, singer, HIV/AIDS fundraiser, and activist. Her first stage name was "Betty Blow Back", which she later changed to Vicci Laine.

Biography

Early life

Laine was born Roger in Tacoma, Washington, as the oldest of seven children, but grew up in and around Bedford, Indiana. As a child, she recalls believing she was a girl until her mother started making her wear boy's clothing when she started school.[1] In 1978, Laine graduated high school from Bedford-North Lawrence High School and went to study business at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. She struggled with gender issues and felt that a major university setting was not for her. She dropped out to attend cosmetology school.

Career

Laine started a career in female impersonation in 1980 at a nightclub called "Bullwinkles" in Bloomington, Indiana out of a need to pay the rent for her apartment.[1]

While on cast at the widely known "21 Club" in Indianapolis, Indiana, she won several pageants in the Drag world her first being Miss Gay Bloomington 1985,[2] and her last being Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988[3] In April 2010 Laine was crowned the first Miss Imperial Goddess.

Laine was show director at "The Ten" nightclub in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1989 until November 2008. Laine chose to leave the Ten to head the cast at "Uncle Elizabeth's" in Bloomington, Indiana.[4][5]

Laine has evolved into a well known "celebrity impersonator" mimicking entertainment icons such as Cher, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire, Lucille Ball, and Joan Crawford. Laine is a contributor to Stoppingthehate.com as a columnist and co-host of Stopping the Hate Television.

Fundraising

In 2007 Vicci noticed a lack of funding for HIV/AIDS service organizations (ASOs) and formed Change4Change (C4C) to encourage people to donate money to ASOs in their own communities.[4][6][7]

C4C has been one of the top private contributors to HIV/AIDS causes for the past two years. C4C and Vicci were recognized in 2008 with the Celia Busch Award. As stated by CAAG (Community Aids Action Group), "The Celia Busch award recognizes the hard work and commitment of a community member who works for the benefit those living with HIV and AIDS." "One who consistently shows compassion, concern, empathy and commitment in the care of individuals and families, displaying superior interpersonal skills, and compassion in care."[8]

Sex change

With the blessings of her family, in 1991 Vicci began the process for sex reassignment surgery. The surgery was completed in 1996 by surgeons in Montreal, Canada. Vicci has since been engaged to be married once, but continues to live her life as a single woman in her hometown.

Music

Laine's first dance single "It's A Good Look" was released on March 26, 2009.[9][10][11]

Titles and awards

Career timeline

1980-1986 Bullwinkles, Bloomington Indiana
1982-1985 Talbot Street Nightclub, Indianapolis Indiana
1985-1989 21 Club, Indianapolis Indiana [15][16]
01/89-08/89 3535 West, 3535 West 16th St. Indianapolis Indiana [17]
01/89-11/08 The Ten, Indianapolis Indiana [18]
06/03-07 Club Cabaret, Indianapolis Indiana
03/07-Present Unicorn Club, Indianapolis Indiana [19]
06/08-Present Uncle Elizabeth's, Bloomington Indiana [20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Stopping The Hate LGBT Human Rights Coalition". Stoppingthehate.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  2. ↑
  3. 1 2 https://web.archive.org/20080723195913/http://www.missgayindianausofa.com/history.html. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 "Vicci Laine". Vicci Laine. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  5. ↑ "Uncle Elizabeths". www.uncle-elizabeths.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Vicci laine (change4change) on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20090416043518/http://www.wfhb.org:80/news/bout2. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ (PDF) https://web.archive.org/20080916234718/http://www.co.monroe.in.us/health/Documents/celiabuschawardfinal07.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ "Discover and Download Music". eMusic. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  10. ↑ "Discover and Download Music". eMusic. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  11. ↑ "Welcome to Amazon MP3". Amiestreet.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  12. ↑ "Happy Birthday Vicci Laine And Angie Stevens - Announcements and Events - CarrieFairfield.com Community". Carriefairfield.com. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  13. ↑ "Indy Drag (iloveindydrag) on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  14. ↑ "Myspace". Viewmorepics.myspace.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  15. ↑ "1988, Vicci Laine Performing at The 21 Club". YouTube. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  16. ↑ "1988, Showtime 21 Production, "If You Don't See"". YouTube. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  17. ↑ "Vicci Laine 1990 Performance Of "Straight Up Now Tell Me" At Club 3535". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  18. ↑ "1991, Vicci Laine Performing At Netasha Edwards Birthday Benefit Show". YouTube. 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  19. ↑ "Untitled 1". Unicornclub.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  20. ↑ "Uncle Elizabeths". www.uncle-elizabeths.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.

External links

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