Interview with James Barbour (Semaj Onyx Coxring), July 13, 2023

Partial Transcript: I don't really label myself, I pretty much do what I wanna do.

Segment Synopsis: Barbour introduces himself and gives his opinions on the prevalent impulse to label and define LGBTQ+ identities. He then discusses being outed without his consent and the effect this had on his relationships with family members, most notably his mother. He then talks about how his repressive upbringing and negative representations of homosexuality influenced the discovery of his Queer identity.

Keywords: Family; Nonbinary people / Gender fluidity; Queer representation; Religion / Protestant Christians; Coming out / outing

Partial Transcript: How did you start doing drag?

Segment Synopsis: Barbour discusses how he began performing as a drag queen, the origins of his stage name, and the figures in popular culture that influenced his style and personality. He also talks about the people who brought him into drag and the places that supported and accepted his Queer identity.

Keywords: Athens, Georgia; Drag queens / Drag performance; LGBTQ+ community; Queer bars / Gay bars; R&B singers / Popular music

Partial Transcript: What are major challenges you have experienced in Athens in regard to your identity?

Segment Synopsis: Barbour discusses the adversity that he and the Queer community face in Athens, from verbal abuse to a lack of sexual healthcare and sexual health education, and the absence of a distinctly Queer space. He also describes the conflict between the Queer community and the patrons of more conservative bars such as those frequented by fraternities, and how the east side of town is more Queer-friendly.

Keywords: Athens night life / Bars; College towns; Drag performances / Drag queens; Hate speech / Homophobia / Racism; Sexual health education / Public health

Partial Transcript: How could Athens do a better job of supporting Queer people?

Segment Synopsis: Barbour talks about the importance of having a supportive Queer community and the feelings of isolation that many LGBTQ+ people experience without having the proper support. He then discusses how drag is empowering and therapeutic to him. He also describes the formation of the Kourtesans, his reasons for forming a drag troupe, and its early days and effects on the drag community in Athens.

Keywords: 40 Watt Club; Body positivity; Kelly Divine; Queer loneliness / Queer isolation; The Kourtesans / Drag troupes

Partial Transcript: I can't remember what the name of it was, but it was the first time I went to a sexual clinic place, and they taught me what PrEP was...

Segment Synopsis: Barbour discusses personally significant moments of the Athens LGBTQ+ community's history and conflicts with anti-LGBTQ+ religious protestors at various events. He then lists notable people in the Athens Queer community, describes the unique qualities of drag culture in Athens, and emphasizes his distaste for the Queer community's tendency to create marginalizing labels.

Keywords: Anti-LGBTQ+ protests; Athens Pride & Queer Collective; Cameron Jay; Danielle Carmella Bonanno; Drag queens / Drag culture; Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); Project10 / Live Forward / Public health outreach

Partial Transcript: What hopes do you have for the future of the Athens Queer community?

Segment Synopsis: Barbour restates the importance of having a physical space for the Queer community and the significance such a space would have in bringing people together. He also talks about the unique qualities of Queer community in the South and his dream of hosting a drag event at the Georgia Theatre.

Keywords: Family / Religion; LGBTQ+ community; The Georgia Theatre; Drag queens / Drag performances

Partial Transcript: I wish Athens had more Black Queer drag queens. I feel like I'm the only one.

Segment Synopsis: Barbour discusses the lack of Black drag queens in Athens and the prejudices and discrimination unique to Black Queer people. He then talks about the consequences of the increased popularity of drag, and the misconceptions and ignorance people have of Queer and drag culture. He also reflects on the fetishization of drag queens and how this has made romantic relationships difficult.

Keywords: Intersectionality / Intersectional discrimination; RuPaul's Drag Race; Vogue (dancing) / Ballroom culture; Queer people of color / LGBTQ+ people of color

Partial Transcript: So, how has it been in Athens navigating all the intersections of your identity?

Segment Synopsis: Barbour talks about the support he has received from Black women in particular and says that he dedicates Semaj's performances to all of the positive Black women in his life.

Keywords: Performing arts; Black women / African American women