WHO WE ARE

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LuSter P. Singleton is a queer proud black Appalachian who is a parent, writer, commentator, creative energy, trailblazer, and Freedom Fighter. 

Luster, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, proudly hails from ‘Y-bridge river country.’ He is deeply fascinated by the intersections of ‘isms’ and how they shape positive perceptions of faith, belonging, and gender in our daily lives. 

A graduate of The Ohio State University, Luster holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies. He is also a graduate of the National Coalition Building Institute and has served as a coordinator for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Services, as well as a director of Ethnic Student Services at OSU. For 14 years, he was the veteran coordinator for the Pride Family and Teen Area at Columbus Stonewall's annual Pride Festival. 

With a remarkable 35-year reputation, LuSter is an accomplished gender performer, show producer, and event planner. Within the performance world, they are best known for their gender-bending portrayals of the sassy Lustivious Dela Virgion and the savvy Luster Dela V. As the co-founder and visionary behind the 1990s’ Fast Friday Productions, he played a pivotal role in the nationally and internationally acclaimed drag king troupe, H.I.S. KINGS, and IDKE (The International Drag King Extravaganza). LuSter is featured in several publications and documentary films, celebrating the rich lesbian bar history that has shaped the queer community. 

When asked what drives them to champion and pave paths for their community, Luster’s simple answer reflects their faith: "As a person of Faith, I am called to care for life. Hopefully, I’m a great steward and awesome light bearer." 

“You are probably wondering why a Queer Black Trans-masculine being like myself would care about an old dyke bar,” he says, “well, why wouldn’t I? It is so much more than that. It's MY history. It’s our city’s history. It’s our Ohio history. Valuing these stories brings value to my life. Jack’s and Summit Station provided a home for a young, lost me and nurtured my chosen family in a way that assured me I would survive. We may never know how many lives were saved or affirmed because these spaces existed. But I can say, without a doubt, there was one—and that was/is mine.

Hey! I'm a 50+ activist, athlete, dyke, genderqueer, lesbian, parent, storyteller, partner, drag king, scooter enthusiast, swimmer, feminist historian, and aspiring filmmaker. Most importantly, I am a former patron of Jack's/Summit Station, dedicating the next two years of my life to preserving the history and culture of Ohio's longest running lesbian bar, which is a vital part of our lesbian bar history. If you went, you know. If you didn't, let us charm you with the story of that magical place in our upcoming documentary film. You won't be sorry. Promise.  

Professional stuff: Masculine Drag Performer/Producer, Film Director and Producer, Masculine Drag Historian. I hold a Master of Arts in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies and a Masters of Public Health, both from The Ohio State University. I also earned a BA in Political Science with minors in History and German from Ohio University. Julia was a founding member of H.I.S. Kings (1996) and the International Drag King Community Extravaganza (1999). Over the past 22 years, she has been an HIV and LGBTQ+ health advocate, researcher, and administrator, actively contributing to the queer community. Presently, in addition to working on the film, Julia is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University.