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 is a native of Zanesville, Ohio and is proud to be from ‘Y-bridge river country.’ He is fascinated by the intersections of ‘isms’ and how it informs/instructs positive perceptions of “faith” 'belonging' and gender in our daily lives. 

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

LuSter has a 35-year reputation as an accomplished gender performer, show producer and event planner. In the performance world they are best known for their gender bending portrayals of the sassy Lustivious Dela Virgion and the savvy Luster Dela V. He is the co-founder and visionary of 1990’s Fast Friday Productions’, 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, documentary films, and has toured with a number of 'queer productions.'

When asked what drives them to be involved in their work, and be such a champion of and pathfinder for their community. His simple answer is 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 such as 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 young lost me and it nurtured my chosen family in a way that assured me I would survive. We will never know how many lives were saved and/or affirmed because it 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 who is dedicating the next two years of her life to preserving the history and culture of Ohio's longest running lesbian owned and operated bar. If you went, you know. If you didn't, let us charm you with the story of that magical place. You won't be sorry. Promise. 

Professional stuff: Masculine Drag Performer/Producer, Film Director and Producer, Masculine Drag Historian.  Master of Arts in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Masters of Public Health, both from The Ohio State University.  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). She has been an HIV and LGBTQ+ health advocate, researcher and administrator for the past 22 years. 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.