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History of the Bag Ladies
The Beginning (or the Early Years)
The Bag Ladies could quite possibly be the nation’s first HIV/AIDS fundraising organization. Since the initial bus tour in 1981, more and more men and women have become part of this on-going and growing tradition. Around Halloween 1981, seventy (70) or so men dressed in drag, boarded three buses, and began a journey to help in the fight against AIDS calling themselves “The Bag Ladies.” The Bag Ladies got their name from an article out of a New York City newspaper. Coburn (Coby) Palmer, one of the original Bag Ladies, read in the article that the New York “bag ladies” were fun and campy and had lots of “hutspah!”
The Bus Tour
The Bag Lady Bus Tour originated as a substitute for an annual Halloween party. Hoosiers who had moved away from Indianapolis were accustomed to reuniting at this annual party. However, the organizer of the party eventually grew tired of hosting such a large event. So, the friends who were used to getting together decided to start the Bus Tour as a substitute event so that they could still party together each year. Some of the original Bus Tour members were among the earliest people who died of AIDS or AIDS-related diseases in the State of Indiana. From that humble beginning, the Bus Tour has morphed into the fund raising event it has since become! In 2011, the 31st Annual Bus Tour raised over $16,000 for the Gregory Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund.
Bag Ladies Assist Organizations
One of the first organizations that benefited from donations by the Bag Ladies was the Buddy House which provided housing for individuals with HIV/AIDS who were having financial difficulties. In the early years, several of the Bag Lady Queens did other fund raising events such as photo signings, cook book sales, cut-a-thon, and helped organize the Garage Party. Even though the Buddy House and the Garage Party are no longer around, the Bag Ladies are stronger than ever and the money they raise supports several local organizations including The Damien Center; the Gregory Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund; Indiana Youth Group (IYG); Step Up, Inc.; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; and the Indiana AIDS Fund.
Non-Profit Status
The Bag Ladies have been part of several non-profit organizations throughout the years: Indiana Cares, AIDS Serve and Indiana Still Cares. In 2005 when Indiana Still Cares disbanded, the Bag Ladies joined with Indy Pride, Inc.
Currently
The Bag Ladies are men (and a few women/drag kings) willing to dress in high heels and wear outrageous costumes to entertain and raise money for the Indianapolis LGBT community and beyond. For the past several years, the Bag Ladies have held annual fundraising events throughout the year. These events include Cadillac Barbie’s Disco Brunch, Shimmering Shamrocks (St. Patrick’s Day Show), Sequoia Pentecost & Rachel Yoder’s Annual Country/Gospel Brunch, and Loud & Proud (Circle City IN Pride event). However, their best known event is still the Annual Bag Lady Bus Tour.
As in the beginning, each year around Halloween, the “Ladies” travel from bar to bar soliciting money until the early hours of the morning on what is called “The Bag Lady Bus Tour.” At the end of the night a new Bag Lady Queen is crowned. Originally, this was the Bag Lady who raised the most money. While raising money is still a major factor in crowning the Queen, the organization now hosts a Bag Lady Queen Pageant prior to the annual Bus Tour. (See Bag Lady Queen Expectations & Selection Process).
Bag Lady Queen Expectations & Selection Process
The Bag Lady Queen is expected to:
* Promote the legacy of the organization
* Dress and participate in fund raising efforts
* Organize and promote one benefit during “her” resign
* Dress & ride in the Cadillac Barbie Pride Parade
Former Bag Lady Queen Tonya Campisi (in consultation with other former Queens) revised the Bag Lady Selection Process in 2011 to re-emphasize that raising money is one of the primary factors in the selection process. The current selection criteria is:
30% for raising money during the Bag Lady Bus Tour season (September – October)
30% for scores achieved during the Bag Lady Queen Pageant - October
40% for scores from the former Queens when they vote on the night of the bus tour
Awards
The Bag Ladies currently present two awards: The Blossom/Cadillac Barbie Award and the Joseph F. Miller Community Service Award. The Blossom/Cadillac Barbie award is given to an individual has gone “above and beyond” in the Indianapolis community and who continues to be dedicated to making the GLBT community a better place for everyone. This award is named after Blossom (Coby Palmer), Bag Lady founder and Cadillac Barbie (Gary Brackett) for providing leadership to keep the organization viable from 2005 – present. A listing of former Blossom/Cadillac Barbie Award winners is available on the website
During the 30th Anniversary Bus Tour, the Bag Ladies introduced a new annual award – the Joseph F. Miller Community Service Award. This award is named in memory of Joseph F. Miller, renowned philanthropist from Indianapolis and friend of the Bag Ladies who passed away in 2010. This award will be presented annually to someone in the community has given above and beyond of his/her time, talents, and money to enrich the lives of the GLBT community in Indianapolis. A listing of former award winners is available on the website.
Looking Ahead
As they start their 31st year, the Bag Ladies continue to march on in their high heels and outrageous hair and continue raising money! The 2011 Bus Tour marked thirty-one years of raising funds for the Indianapolis GLBT community! The 2011 Bus Tour raised over $16,000 – over $4,000 more than the previous year!
For information about how to schedule a Bag Lady Event or to have Bag Ladies participate in a fundraising event, please contact Cadillac Barbie (Gary Brackett) at cadillacbarbieindy@yahoo.com.
