Meet Kenny Starling

Kenny Starling (any pronouns), originally from South Carolina, is changing the community not only in Rock Springs, but throughout the entire state.

I have had the pleasure to have a fulfilling conversation with them and I am so glad I get to share it with you all.

Santi

(some text in transcription may be incorrect. i will be updating this every day)

  Hello everybody. This is Santi, the communications coordinator at Wyoming Equality. Today I am joined by Kenny Starling, owner of the Starling Company, also known as Starling My Darling, um, the drag performer based out of Rock Springs, Wyoming. So, hello, how are you doing?

I'm great. It's early, but we, we, we awake.So yeah, yeah, absolutely. 11 o'clock in the morning is still early for a drag artist.

Oh, for me too. Like this is the joys of working from home is, you know, I get to make my own hours. But, uh, I'll just have you introduce yourself. Um, just give us a little bit of knowledge into who you are.

Yeah. So you said Kenny Starling, also known as Starling My darling. Um, yeah, I live in Rock Springs, uh, have the Starling Company here. I'm also in a, uh, punk band called Atlas Falls. Uh, we're a local band here in Rock Springs and we're slowly growing our reach there as well. Um, I also work for the Urban Renewal Agency here in Rock Springs, uh, helping to revitalize the downtown. Um, yeah, I'm originally from the swamps of South Carolina, grew up Southern Baptist, uh, uh, teen parents. Yeah. All the disadvantages.

No, I, I feel you, um, my parents were kind of the same teenage, you know, they were 17 when they had me. And I mean, I'm born and raised in Wyoming, but you're from like a very small community in South Carolina.

Yeah, small communities. We moved around a lot.

Oh, okay. So what brought you over here to Wyoming?

Chasin’ love. Yeah, time to make a movie about it. They already have.

I feel you. Um, you know, I was born and raised in Wyoming and my plan after I graduated college was to move to Denver, like move to New York, something. And then I met my now boyfriend, hopefully soon to be husband, and I stayed, you know, five years later. Um, so I totally understand that.

Yeah, that was kind of my goal too. New York City, right out of high school. I'd been there several times during high school. And, uh, I met one boy, decided to stay a little longer.

That didn't work out. Met another boy, decided to move to Utah. That didn't work out. Met another boy, decided to move to Wyoming. Messy, messy.

We're learning. Yeah. Well, and it all works out like you are where you're meant to be. And based on what I know and you know, what we'll get to, um, you've done a lot of really great things. Not even, not just for Rock Springs, but honestly for the whole state. So how do you feel about Wyoming? Like. Did you feel, were you nervous at all coming here as, you know, Wyoming, it's this crazy conservative, old fashioned place that stuck in 1922. How did you feel about moving here?

Uh, at first I said, no, definitely not. Um, when my former partner brought the idea up to me, uh, What I knew about Wyoming was that Matthew Shepard had lived and died here, um, sadly, and, uh, that it was the wild west, you know, that that was the two things that I knew about it. Um, so I fought it for a while. Uh, but. I eventually gave in when I learned about the artistic community that was already in Wyoming. Um, I was like, all right, we'll give it a shot. So we moved here and uh, yeah, I realized it's, it's kind of like a slice of the South in the West. There's a reason it's called country Western music, you know, and why, why Southerners and Westerners both identify with that music is because there's a similarity in the tradition and the conservatism in the community. Uh, by and large, um, I mean, we have small rural communities here and that's, that's also what's in South Carolina. So, uh, I understand the crazy to a certain degree. Yeah. And I want to go back.

You touched on Matthew Shepard, um, with my experience, you know, being born and raised here and attending the University of Wyoming, um, as an openly queer person, the story of Matthew Shepard was always. It was always a cautionary tale for me. Is that how it was for you in like a sense of you need to kind of suppress who you are or was it more so of a of a horror story?

Yeah, it was a bit of both. Uh, so I'm, I'm 27, uh, I'll be 28 this year. So, um, marriage equality was not a thing until like my senior year of high school. Uh, so I grew up in the world of. Just keeping it quiet, hiding who you are, particularly in the South. Um, which is kind of ironic looking back because a lot of my mom's friends growing up were drag queens and my mom spent a lot of time in theater and at the gay bars. Um, I won't say how old I was when I saw my first drag show. I know all that. My mom was president. Yeah. Right. This is, uh, but, uh, yeah, there was still the societal thing with the stories of, of Matthew Shepard. And, and I also happen to hear about Steve Nelson from, I believe, Idaho, um, who went through a similar experience to Matthew Shepard. Um, and then all the other stories from around the country of hatred and bigotry and how you should really just keep it quiet to keep yourself safe more than anything. Um, so to move to the epicenter of that, it's pretty frightening. Um, but I've always been somebody, sorry, go ahead.

I was going to say, have you ever been to Laramie? Um, you know, where this all happened?

Yes, yes, I went, I've been to Laramie once. I worked with uh, Relative 3 at Theatrics on a reading actually for the Matthew Shepard at Symposium, um, last year. Uh, so I've been to Laramie, very beautiful. Uh, but it's still got that down home, small town, keep to yourself feel.

Have you been to, you know, quote, like the bigger cities of Wyoming, you know, Cheyenne and Casper?

I've been to Casper, uh, performed in Casper a few times actually, um, but not Cheyenne yet. I haven't been.

Oh, you'll have to come. We'd love to have you.

I need to make it happen. Yeah.

Well, so tell me a little bit about the community in Rock Springs. And this is really funny. So I was born in Rock Springs and I lived there for, oh God, what, the fifth through like seventh or eighth grade. Um, so, you know, and we're, we're the same age. Um, I'll be, I'll be 27 this year. And so like, When, you know, we were in middle school, it was still very controversial to even be gay. And then, you know, now as a trans person, it's, I feel like I'm stuck in this, uh, like, controversy my entire life. Um, but as I've gotten older, I've noticed that the community has gotten a lot stronger. and bigger. Um, so what's it like over there in Rock Springs?

You know, I, I was kind of smart. I kind of infiltrated first and then showed him how gay I was, how, how trans I was, how queer I was. Um, uh, that's just that small town Southern heart in me, the old Southern gal at the end of the day. Uh, but, By and large, the community has been so kind and so supportive of me and what we're doing. We haven't been without issues, of course, but I'm finding that the vocal minority, as it were, uh, are people who, you know, There are people who have moved here because of the, uh, industries, the, the coal mining and the oil fields and the Toronto mining. They moved from particularly the blue-collar South. Um, I mean, it's always been told to me that that Rock Springs used to be the, uh. Blue County of Wyoming. It was the Union County of Wyoming. But I think that that industry has really shaken up the politics as it were here. But the folks who are from here, the folks who have been here for generations, um, and the people who are growing up here now, particularly in 2024. It's about the community. It's about, um, supporting somebody who's putting back into the community in particular. Um, I've been very fortunate to put myself in a situation where I'm able to get back to the community and where I'm able to support people, uh, through the entertainment. And, um, Just one on one as well. So I think that as a result is, is worked out in my favor for sure. Yeah.

So with the community that you're really trying to, you know, build and uplift, who do you think is your target audience? I don't know if that's the right word, but like, who do you feel that? They need your help the most. Is it younger people? Is it older people? Uh, you know, questioning people?

That's hard to say. I, I feel like who we are able to access the most is younger queer people between the ages of like 15 and 30. Um, most of my, my drag babies that I've somehow produced in the last two years, uh, are, are in that age range, but that's not totally the case. I've also worked with artists that are in their 60s, pushing 70. I've, I've worked with, uh, uh, individuals in their 40s and 50s. Um, I mean, just like any drag artists, middle-aged white women that love to drink are, are main demograpratic. They love it, especially like, you know, bachelorette parties and all that.

Yeah, that's true.

Even in Rock Springs. Oh, I can't even imagine. I mean, we, you know, we don't have that many drag shows over here. We just had one. Um, In March. And then we're going to have one, oh gosh, in July and then in October.

And it amazes me how like the majority of people that showed up, like you said, middle aged white women who go crazy for drag queens. And that's no shade.

Keep giving them tips, baby. I'll take them.

No, seriously. I used to perform drag actually in Laramie. Um, I was part of the original Laramie Dragonettes, we were called, and then we all moved away. So I think they're trying to rebuild the drag scene over in Laramie.

That's great.

And we don't really have one in Cheyenne. Uh, the one we do have is it's like very, very small, I think.

Yeah.

Four or five folks.

Sure. But it's still there. That's the thing. We've, we've, we've officially hit all the corners now. It's so cool.

Right? Yeah. And I, I, it's crazy. We were talking about, you know, helping younger people, but sometimes. You know, I mean, you know how it is in the community. We're 27, 28, like we're washed up. We're old. We're the, we're the elders now, you know, young kids. There's this sense of, I almost feel jealous. Because of the resources that they have, you know, like TikTok wasn't a thing when we were kids. And the only thing I knew about trans people was, you know, they were the punchline of jokes in movies. And they were unnatural. They were something to be mocked. So now these younger kids, I mean, I feel like they're teaching me these things. Like, you know, I'm like, I feel like I'm being enlightened every single day by these young folks. And it's crazy.

Oh, I just, there's a sense of ease to it.

Yeah. Right.

It's beautiful. Well,

And then also that you get that sense of, Hey, there's people out there that feel the way I feel, you know, I was when I, when I was younger, um, and I first realized I like, you know, boys, I was like, okay, like maybe I was supposed to be born a girl, but maybe I'm just gay. But then again, like, you don't know the words to express how you're feeling.

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah. It's just insane. So what's your, um, like, what are your thoughts on kind of how the younger generation has all this access to this information and how, I mean, I don't know your experience, but, um, from my experience, you know, kind of had to just figure it out.

Slowly but surely. Yeah.

So I think it's incredible. I think that it's scary, uh, uh, because there's really no way to navigate it. I mean, not to go too much into detail, but, but the age that we are, you know, we were in the chat rooms, we were, we were out there figuring it out on our own. Right. Um, and there's even more access to stuff like that, but I don't feel like it's a necessity anymore, you know, because they can go on TikTok, they can go on Instagram, uh, they can go on YouTube and see people who are different, um, experience that representation and that visibility. Uh, and then on top of that, you and I just living as ourselves as well, um, being somebody that normalizes just a little bit of difference in our everyday lives. So it's beautiful and it's really cool because if I look back. And I think, who could I be now if I hadn't had the hindrances, if I hadn't spent, you know, five, six years of my life crying myself to sleep so many nights, uh, because I had thoughts about dudes. Um, and I, I, I thought that I was a full-fledged dude, you know, um, so I, it's amazing to be able to create the opportunities now for these younger individuals that I didn't necessarily have as young as I could have had, um, and then to see them take that and carry it on to higher places. I mean, it just, it helps society all together.

Yeah. It's beautiful. It's, it's amazing. And I'm, I'm so excited for this generation, um, after us, you know, to see where they go, because You know, I've noticed my sister, she's a bit younger, she's 18. And, you know, when I came out to her as being trans, she was like, okay, like, so what, you know, like, and then people our age were kind of like, okay, well, what does that mean? But then that whole younger generation, they're like, oh, okay. So it's like way more accepting. And I thought, you know, I thought our generation was like really accepting. So I'm so excited to see where it goes. Yeah. So I know firsthand, um, how hard it is and you kind of touched on it, you know, to have the courage to just be who you are, um, especially in a conservative place. How do you maintain that courage?

I think the community that is here that I've been able to engage with and, and, and identify myself with helps a lot. Um, in true Wyoming fashion, there's a lot of people that would. Good fight tooth and nail for me here, I think, um, I really found family here, uh, so that, that, that helps a ton, um, and yeah, I, I don't know, I've kind of just always been unapologetic. I officially came out at 16, um, and my coming out was, hey, this is my boyfriend. Um, his parents just kicked him out. Can he move in with us? And they said yes. Uh, probably wasn't the best thing for a couple of 16, 17 year olds. But we made it work. But I don't know. I've been fortunate enough to have experiences in my life, even though there was the psychological pressure I was putting on myself and the societal pressure I was putting on myself. I've been fortunate enough to have experiences With family and friends that was overwhelmingly positive. Um, so I've had the ability to focus on that and, uh, uh, Yeah, just be visible for other people. I won't lie, there are some days where I'm just like, I'm not in the mood to have any comments made, any questions asked. Any looks, even I throw on a beanie, I put on my glasses instead of my contacts and I wear loose clothes and all kinds of, you know, so there are definitely days where the energy is just not worth it. Um, yep.

A hundred percent relate. So, so we, you were mentioning, uh, you know, your family, but I feel like we, as queer people, we have this extended, you know, chosen family. And so you mentioned, you know, you have your drag babies, and I know you have your, your troupe, the Starling Company. Can you talk a little bit about the Starling Company and, like, what y'all do, um, how y'all found each other, stuff like that?

So, uh, Starling Company first came about in, oh my gosh, 2022. Um, there was starting to be a surgence of Theater people in Rock Springs at the college in the high schools, both Rock Springs and Green River. Uh, and then just in the community as well. Um, and we only had one theater company here and they worked sort of in a niche, uh, lane as to the type of shows that they did. So there's this whole demographic of people that couldn't. Didn't do shows really. Um, and I fit within that and I was tired of not doing shows because I'd prefer to be on stage more than anything. Um, so I felt pretty inspired to, to start a theater company, uh, that also did drag, uh, to create opportunity there as well. Um, and then to give opportunity to other people, because not, not only is it the younger folks who are not really getting the opportunity to perform in the community. But it's also people of color, people with disabilities, um, people who are queer, uh, the shows were not being done that had roles for that. So it was also born out of a desire to create that visibility and to tell stories of marginalized people and amplify those voices. In a place where it's really not happening. Um, so yeah, that's sort of how that came along. Uh, I'd already, uh, like I said, infiltrated quite a bit. Uh, I was involved with the theater community here. I admit the folks at the college, a lot of the students, uh, folks at the high school, um, and then, uh, with the other theater companies, we now have four theater companies operating out of, uh, our small theater in rock Springs. Um, along with two high school programs and a college program. So. It's just a little renaissance of theatrical arts happening here in Rock Springs.

Yeah, I remember. Oh God, forever ago. Um, we went to go see Aida, uh, um, Western Wyoming Community College and that's, I fell in love with that. And I think that also, you know, it's so great because it shows people. People like, Hey, this is again, like it's something you can do it. You can tell stories. Um, not even just, you know, stories written by other people, but you can tell your own story through the performance of art or the art of performance.

Um, sorry, but it's just so crazy and it's so fun. And it's, it's very admirable that you get to do that. Uh, and I know that you do quite a few, you know, uh, queer classic productions.

You did Rocky Horror, right?

Yes, that was our kickoff. Uh, I did it with another theater company when I first moved here as well as a fundraiser for them. And then we kind of reprised it and did a totally different version, essentially. Uh, I try to revamp it and make it fresh every time I do it. I've done it seven times.

So, what about Rocky Horror really speaks to you? Like what drew you to want to put on that show?

Yeah. Um, I mean, it's a cultural phenomenon, right? Um, came out in the seventies, uh, and was really a love letter to the queer influence in B horror films and sci-fi films, um, in, in the American culture with the sexual revolution that was happening in the 70s, uh, And it's got all these well placed artistic moments and, and, and Easter eggs throughout the entire thing, especially the stage performance. The movie really tones down the, the vibe and, and, uh, tries to fit within that sci-fi horror films of, of, of, uh, Old, you know, um, but, uh, yeah, it's, it's a great unifier. I mean, people of all types of all ages across all generations love Rocky Horror. Um, People that you may not even think are supportive of queerness will show up to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror dressed as Frankenfurter and fishnets heels, and panties. Um, uh, and I I've worked with individuals on Rocky horror before that, or that way. So it felt like the appropriate way to kick it off, considering that was the approach that I wanted to have. Uh, yeah, it's one of my favorite pieces of art, personally. So that's why I keep coming back to it.

Well, and then I heard a little rumor, um, that there's a documentary coming out about your production of Rocky Horror. Um, I know you probably can't tell us. A lot. But what can you tell us about that documentary?

Ooh. Um, very intimate. They know everything about me. They even filmed me in the shower. Um, yeah, I was, I was, uh, we, we, we got the opportunity to work with these guys for almost two years straight, um, from the literal first day on the ground of us having auditions for Rocky Horror. All the way through Rock Springs’ first pride and our 2nd New Year's Eve drag show. Um, so they got to see the evolution from the very beginning, including the city council meetings that we went to, um, we experienced, uh, some active protests of complaint against us, um, not even a full month into the conception of the Starling Company. Um, and that was the director's first day on the ground, actually. Uh, so she was like, well, this place is great. Guess I gotta stay. Um, Yeah, it's great. It evolved over time. It's really about the creation of the queer community that we now have here in Rock Springs and the influence that we've been taking around the rest of the state to get us all connected and be a unified community, um, particularly in the drag universe and the theater universe. Um, so yeah, that's kind of, that's kind of when it chronicles, uh, it gets intimate with not just me, but the rest of the cast and the crew and the audiences, um, and they didn't just stay for Rocky, they were here for our production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, uh, which we also took to Utah. Um, all of our drag shows, uh, a burlesque show that I did with one of the other theater companies upstage, um, that I did in drag, uh, you know, Yeah, it was weird for them to leave, in fact. Yeah. My life became far less organized.

I, I totally understand that. Uh, and then, so, I feel like you were just like riding this high of, you know, Rocky Horror, and then you have this documentary, and then you just came You know, you had this wonderful production, uh, a Sissy in Wyoming. Did you know about Sissy Goodwin before you moved to Wyoming?

No, I did not. Um, I first learned of Sissy during the playwright's reading that, uh, Gregory Hinson, the playwright and Vicki Goodwin, Sissy's wife did, um, in October of 2022. So the month that we actually did Rocky here, we were in rehearsals and they took it. Through Wyoming and brought it through Rock Springs and did the Broadway. Um, and it just kind of felt like kismet on that front. I, I learned so much about Sissy that day and connected with Vicki and Gregory and I was like, I would love to do this. Um, they said, it's never been done, but let's talk 'cause this feels right.

Uh, I went to high school in Douglas, Wyoming, and that's like where my family still lives. Yeah. I could see, you know, Sissy and, and Vicky out and again, right. This was almost 10 years ago, but even then it was still like, I couldn't even wrap my head around, um, you know, what Sissy was doing. And then of course, growing up in a conservative town, you know, people are very hateful. To anything, any sort of like gender nonconformity. Um, but now realizing, you know, as I get older and I learn more and more about Sissy, it's, it's just really cool. Yes. It's really cool to see somebody from an older generation and, you know, genuinely just not care about what people think about them. And it's, it's so admirable and it's, uh, it's crazy. I used to actually, um, I was a cheerleader, uh, forever ago, but in Douglas, we would run, I would run around, uh, the area where Sissy's house was, so I would, I would run right past it every time I was over there.

Oh my gosh. It was, it was really crazy. But small, small world. Truly a pioneer. I mean, it makes sense why I didn't hear about him, but I heard about Matthew Shepard. Yep, because the fear is what they want you to know. The quietness is what they want you to know. Um, yeah, so to be able to share that story, uh, share, share, not an easy story by any means, but one that ultimately boils down to love and kindness and respect for one's individuality and love for oneself as well.

It's just, it's so great. And a story from Wyoming, nonetheless. Yeah, it was.

So through your troupe and your, your powerful storytelling, what's next? Like you just told this amazing story about Sissy, you just put on this wonderful production of Rocky Horror. I mean, I feel like you kind of have to keep going up and up and up. You know what I mean?

I feel the pressure to do so.

I didn't mean to put pressure on.

No, no, not at all. No, it's, it's already there. Uh, um, no, uh, Jokes aside, I Up next, um, I'm doing a lot of traveling, uh, with drag and with my band, um, around the state primarily. And then I'm also visiting home to, uh, see my current partner, um, shout out. Hey, and then, uh, also perform there, uh, in the drag scene there. I just broke into the drag scene there last year. Which was wild because I, you know, I was 20, but when I moved out West, so there was no place for me to perform. Um, so to be able to jump in with the performers that I grew up with was amazing. Um, beyond that, here in Rock Springs, uh, we're working on a production called Freak Show. Um, it's a little bit different than what we've produced in the past. Uh, similar intensity, but, uh, a little bit different of an approach. Um, it is a brand new, original, theatrical, immersive experience. Um, As I mentioned, we have received some hate and most of it has been online, primarily through Facebook, on our great group called Sweetwater County Rants and Raves.

Uh, shout out there, everybody loves it. I was a part of that group before I even moved here just to see what it was like.

It's crazy.

Hey, stop it. Gosh, they go crazy all the time. Um, but sorry, uh, no, I feel you. I, the Cheyenne Rants and Raves page, that's like my news. That's my daily news. I check it every morning.

It really is. So, so the, the, the main comment, negative comment that we've received, um, I kind of tallied them up, uh, was calling us a freak show.

Um, here's my little black one (cat) too, um, was calling us a freak show. So I decided. Okay, you're gonna give us free material? Give us a free show concept? I'm going to work with that. Um, so we've, we've, uh, auditioned 20 local and out of state, out of town, drag and queer performers, uh, and we're creating a concept, a storyline based on the concepts that they performed it, uh, that they, they, uh, presented. And, uh, Yeah, I'm working on, uh, something very fresh for me as well, um, a little alter ego of Starling My Darling, if you will, of Kenny Starling, um, we're still leading with the same message, but it's a totally different attack, uh, and in the process, we hope to educate people on that. Um, Understanding the terms that you use derogatorily because there is a history behind freak shows, behind sideshows, behind circuses, um, and you're being very disrespectful and, uh, really gross by using that term so willingly to describe people who are just being themselves. So, paying homage to the freaks that came before us, if you will.

Yeah. Well, and I love that, you know, you took such a personal, a word that was a personal attack and you turned it into something, you know, beautiful. Um, it's, I feel like it's kind of, you know, how we in the community took back queer. Yes. And it's amazing and freak show. Like I, I can't wait to see that show. I'm going to have to make my way down to Rock Springs. And yeah, maybe say hi to my family that I haven't seen in years.

If you must.

I'll come see you.

Okay, period. I got extra bed, babe. And then we're also taking the show to Casper as well as part of their Pride kickoff on June 1st. And then it's here June 7th.

Oh, I, I know I, I'm going to Rock Springs Pride. So I will, I will be there. So you, I, I don't want to like give you a big head, but like you seem very, very successful in everything that you've sought out to do here in Wyoming. So what achievement are you most proud of?

Oh, gosh. I mean, all of it, um, it's been, it's been very surreal. Like, uh, like it's been happening to somebody else. Um, and I'm always focused on the art and how can I make it better? How can I be more accessible? How can I be more inclusive? Um, so sometimes I have to stop. Chill out on the couch, watching some anime or something, and then reflect on everything to realize the sheer scope of what it all has been. And I have nothing but gratitude for, for that. Um, but, uh, a personal high for me, um, cause there's a little bit of selfishness in this, right? Of, of creating opportunity and a platform for myself to perform as well. But that production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch last year, we actually opened it a year ago, three days ago, um, on 4/20, of course. Uh, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, That's a show that I've always wanted to do that. That was the show that helped me realize, okay, I'm not a boy. I got to see it on Broadway with Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Hall, um, in 2014 with my very first queer partner. Uh, we were there together. Uh, my local theater did a program to take us and, uh, Yeah, I always knew that it was something that I wanted to do, that that was the realm of performance and theater that I fit in. Um, and we made it happen. We made it happen here and in Utah, and um, the community lived. LIVED. And I, I, that's how I met my current band, was through that show, they were the band for the show, um, and they ended up being like, Hey, why don't you just hang around with us and we can keep doing this.

Sure.

That's kind of the high for me.

Okay, well, and it's amazing to, um, be the representation for, you know, the younger people in Rock Springs.

You know, if they see somebody who is openly queer and gender non-conforming, and you know, then they're like, Oh, I can do that too. I can be a performer. I can, you know, produce magic in a place.

That's, it's very admirable to see that. That's something I believe. It's really important. You know, representation matters. Um, so like for a lot of us, we didn't really have a lot of that. Um, so for, uh, I mentioned to you, I was a cheerleader. Uh, I was the first transgender athlete at the University of Wyoming and I knew that.

I knew that. I knew that.

Oh, you knew that? Amazing. I did know that. Do you know Angel Ventura?

Oh, my little baby. It's my baby.

Oh my God. I love Angel. Oh my gosh. Yes. We met at, um, state cheer when I was coaching the school, my little baby and Jesse, um, my heart and Jesse. Oh, I love that. I was in Florida now.

Bless her. I know she’s living her best life. So anyways, you were saying, I'm sorry.

Oh, but, um, I have heard a lot of people, you know, people who I didn't even think. Uh, would support me be like, that's really cool that you can do that because now, I mean, now there is a huge controversy, you know, with trans women in sports, but I like to be that the person is like, I did this years ago, like, it's, this isn't a problem. It's just madness. outrage.

Oh yeah, just how it goes. Buzzwords.

So one final question I have for you. If you had a magic wand, what would your wish be for the LGBTQ community in Wyoming? Uh, to have the resources more readily available to us now.

You know, we're building them. We're building the connections. Um, I mean Rock Springs, we've got a Walmart, TJ Maxx, and a Ross. Thanks. Ross dress for less, one of my drag aunts used to say. Uh. Otherwise, you know, we have online resources to get our drag to get gender-affirming clothing, um, which is great that we have that resource, but it's not accessible for teens. It's not accessible for young adults who live in this economy, uh, of Rock Springs. Um, the mental health, the physical health resources are great. I've partnered with our family planning several times here in Rock Springs. I was on the board for a little while. We offer free HIV testing, rapid HIV testing, when we can at our shows. And we do, uh, voter registration and resources on suicide prevention. We have the highest rate of suicide in the United States per capita than any other state. Um, so yeah, it's, it's just to, Have those resources readily available. And ultimately for people to know that they're not alone here, um, whether you're queer or an ally, you're not alone in this fight here in Wyoming. Uh, there are people who are fun and who are kind and, uh, Yeah, who wants you to be here and want you to, to be your true self, the best version of yourself. Um, it's come to Rock Springs.

Well, it's interesting that you said that that's your wish, but it, to me, you, you're making your wish come true. You are facilitating that. How does that, how does that feel? You know?

Like I'm in the right place. Um, that the universe, I've, I've been listening to it more heavily over the last several years, and um, Whatever, whatever it may be, the universe, coincidence, my own personal power, some divine being, um, I'm following what feels right, what brings me the joy, and, uh, I've really reclaimed my personal power, or claimed it in the first place, um, and I, I hope that I can be an example for people in that way, um, Again, sometimes the sheer scope of it all just goes right over my head because I'm still broke, you know, I'm still working a day job on, on top of doing all of this.

I still have relationship issues. I still have friend issues. I still have health issues. Um, and again, I'll emphasize I'm poor living in Rock Springs in the year of 2024 of our Lord in a capitalistic society. It's not the tea. No, not at all.

I guess, actually, I have one final, final question. What would you say to other people who want to help change Wyoming, but they don't know where to start?

Look for the shakers and movers that are already here. I mean, Wyoming Equality, you guys have been doing good work for decades now.

Yeah. Since 87.

Since 87. Yeah. So, uh, the, the, the folks are here. Um, you don't have to start from scratch. I didn't even start from scratch. You know, the drag for a cause was here in Rock Springs when I started and they, they did shows twice a year, sometimes three times a year. Um, so the community is here. Look for the, look for the people who are already here. Um, living unapologetically and, and, and creating the visibility and representation and tag into it and then you can find your individuality in it and soar in it just like I have. Um, 'cause the support is there and, and, uh, yeah, just hit me up on Facebook, Instagram, yeah.Kenny Starling on Facebook. Uh, the Starling Company on Facebook. Uh, starling.my darling on Instagram. And then we're also the do starling.co on Instagram. Uh, so follow us on all of those. Come see us.

And I'll put everything. And whatnot. You know where to find that part out then. I'll keep it in. But is there any one last, any last things you want to say to the people listening?

Hmm. Just be kind to one another. Listen to one another. If somebody tells you what their experience is, I promise you they know what it is. And don't just assume the worst of people because they're different. Um, I know differentness is scary. I, I deal with change all the time that gets scary. I just lost my car a month ago.

I got in a car accident and I can't afford to get a new one right now. So I'm having to reframe my life totally and slow down some. And that's scary and annoying more than anything. But there's so much beauty in in the differences. And that's what though the the history of this country has, you know, it's weak points and its negative points.

At the end of the day, that is the essence of America, is being the melting pot of cultures, um, to create a beautiful society where we are all different, but we can all get along and work together as a fellow human being. Um, and we've got that in Wyoming too. Just embrace it.