"No Tea, No Shade actually spills ALL the tea of what it's really like to be a drag artist: the good, the bad and never the ugly." - Carson Kressley, Style Superstar
"It’s so rare that we as a community have our voices heard. Even when we do, it is most often the voice of those whom “society” considers non-threatening. Here is a rare collection of essays written by humans speaking the truth about themselves, the world in which we live and how our queer family has evolved. Enlightening, poignant, sometimes sassy, sometimes funny but always entertaining." - Lea DeLaria, Actor, Activist, Jazz Singer and Lord of the Lesbians
Drag is a multifaceted art form that encourages creativity, self-expression, and joy. In this essay compilation, six drag queens reflect on how their art led them to understand and embrace their identities and in some cases saved their lives. Addressing homophobia in daily life, misunderstandings about drag, growing up in unsupportive families, and receiving terrifying threats for hosting Drag Story Hours, the author-artists share insights into the risks they take to express themselves and pursue their careers. They also share the deep connections, bountiful joys, and love within the diverse LGBTQIA+ community. Some pursue drag full time, while others balance careers in their non-drag life. From Nashville to New York to Columbus to Los Angeles, the queens write eloquently about their experiences finding their personae and finding themselves. Featuring deeply personal stories from Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J, and Nina West, No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves. - Booklist, Laura Chanoux
