KC Rainbow Tour

09/24/2026

09/09/2026

Melinda Ryder took her final bow last night after a fourth battle with cancer. Together with her husband Kirk they changed the face of Kansas City. I will miss you deeply my friend. I will miss your cackling laughter and kind words of encouragement. You added so much sunshine to a dark world.

09/01/2026

I’d love to see you at Think & Drink. I’ll be sharing so many hidden gems of our rainbow history.

08/19/2026

1935 edition of The Call document a performer believed to be one of the first Black drag queens billed as the Sepia Star Mae West. She performed at Lone Star Garden club located at 1708 E 12th St. which today would be situated under the 70 overpass.

07/20/2026

04/26/2026

Drag history runs deep in Kansas City. These are ads from Kansas City’s newspapers. Courtesy of

04/13/2026

Images from ActUp KC downtown protests circa 1990. AIDS Walk KC 2026 is April 25 at Theis Park. These powerful images remind us why we walk. Cliff Schiappa was working for the KC Star in 1990 and captured the first photo in this post of police restraining a protestor in front of the downtown Marriott Hotel. Photos courtesy of GLAMA, The KC Star and the KC Public Library.

03/31/2026

So much lgbtq history captured in this stunning and detailed work of art. Do you know where? Comment your guesses.

03/20/2026

Womontown is one of the most popular stops on the KC Rainbow Tour. 🌷🏳️‍🌈

03/16/2026

Thanks to those who pointed out my error! Now, let’s celebrate these women of the past who left their mark on q***r Kansas City and beyond! Credit to GLAMA