Vicci Laine
Encyclopedia
Vicci Laine is the stage name of an American transsexual stage performer, singer, HIV/AIDS fundraiser and activist. Her first stage name was "Betty Blow Back", which she later changed to Vicci Laine.
, as the oldest of 7 children, but grew up in and around Bedford, Indiana
. As a child, she recalls believing she was a girl until her mother started making her wear boy's clothing when she started school.
In 1978, Laine graduated high school from Bedford-North Lawrence High School and went to study business at Indiana University, Bloomington
, Indiana. Vicci struggling with gender issues and to fit in, felt that a major university setting was not for her and dropped out to attend cosmetology school.
in 1980 at a nightclub called "Bullwinkles" in Bloomington, Indiana out of a need to pay the rent for her apartment. She states, "A lot came out of that one night, I won the contest, kept my apartment, I got to dress up as a woman, and PEOPLE APPLAUDED AND SCREAMED FOR ME!!!! What can I say? I was hooked the first time!"
While on cast at the widely known "21 Club" in Indianapolis, Indiana
, she won several pageants in the Drag world her first being Miss Gay Bloomington 1985, and her last being Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988 In April 2010 Laine was crowned the first Miss Imperial Goddess.
Laine was show director at "The Ten" nightclub in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1989 until November 2008. Laine chose to leave the Ten to head the cast at "Uncle Elizabeth's" in Bloomington, Indiana.
Laine has evolved into a well known "celebrity Impersonator" mimicking entertainment icons such as, "Cher", "Dolly Parton", and "Reba", Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford and several others.
Laine is currently a contributor to Stoppingthehate.com http://www.stoppingthehate.com, as a columnist and co-host of Stopping the Hate Television.
C4C" has been one of the top private contributors to HIV/Aids causes for the past two years. Because of Viccis' dedication, "C4C" and Vicci were recognized in 2008 with the Celia Busch Award. As stated by CAAG (Community Aids Action Group), "The Celia Busch award recognizes the hard work and commitment of a community member who works for the benefit those living with HIV and Aids." "One who consistently shows compassion, concern, empathy and commitment in the care of individuals and families, displaying superior interpersonal skills, and compassion in care."
. The surgery was completed in 1996 by surgeons in Montreal, Canada
. Vicci has since been engaged to be married once, but continues to live her life as a single woman in her hometown.
"Lawrence County 4-H Fair Disco Dance King 1978 & 1979" -
"Miss Gay Bloomington 1985" -
"Miss Gay Southwest USofA 1986" -
"Miss Gay Ohio Valley USofA 1986-1987" -
"Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988" -"Honorary Miss MCIT (Music City) 2006" -
"Indianapolis' Favorite Drag Queen 2007" -
"Eternal Flame Award 2008" -
"NUVO Magazine Top 3 Indianapolis Entertainers 2008" -
"Celia Busch Award 2008"
1982-1985 Talbot Street Nightclub, Indianapolis Indiana
1985-1989 21 Club, Indianapolis Indiana
01/89-08/89
3535 West, 3535 West 16th St. Indianapolis Indiana
01/89-11/08
The Ten, Indianapolis Indiana
06/03-07 Club Cabaret, Indianapolis Indiana
03/07-Present Unicorn Club, Indianapolis Indiana
06/08-Present Uncle Elizabeth's, Bloomington Indiana
Biography
Laine was born Roger in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, as the oldest of 7 children, but grew up in and around Bedford, Indiana
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
. As a child, she recalls believing she was a girl until her mother started making her wear boy's clothing when she started school.
In 1978, Laine graduated high school from Bedford-North Lawrence High School and went to study business at Indiana University, Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, Indiana. Vicci struggling with gender issues and to fit in, felt that a major university setting was not for her and dropped out to attend cosmetology school.
Career
Laine started a career in female impersonationDrag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
in 1980 at a nightclub called "Bullwinkles" in Bloomington, Indiana out of a need to pay the rent for her apartment. She states, "A lot came out of that one night, I won the contest, kept my apartment, I got to dress up as a woman, and PEOPLE APPLAUDED AND SCREAMED FOR ME!!!! What can I say? I was hooked the first time!"
While on cast at the widely known "21 Club" in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, she won several pageants in the Drag world her first being Miss Gay Bloomington 1985, and her last being Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988 In April 2010 Laine was crowned the first Miss Imperial Goddess.
Laine was show director at "The Ten" nightclub in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1989 until November 2008. Laine chose to leave the Ten to head the cast at "Uncle Elizabeth's" in Bloomington, Indiana.
Laine has evolved into a well known "celebrity Impersonator" mimicking entertainment icons such as, "Cher", "Dolly Parton", and "Reba", Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford and several others.
Laine is currently a contributor to Stoppingthehate.com http://www.stoppingthehate.com, as a columnist and co-host of Stopping the Hate Television.
Fundraising
In 2007 Vicci noticed a lack of funding for HIV/AIDS Service Organizations and formed "Change4Change" to encourage people to donate money to ASO's (Aids Service Organizations) in their own communities.C4C" has been one of the top private contributors to HIV/Aids causes for the past two years. Because of Viccis' dedication, "C4C" and Vicci were recognized in 2008 with the Celia Busch Award. As stated by CAAG (Community Aids Action Group), "The Celia Busch award recognizes the hard work and commitment of a community member who works for the benefit those living with HIV and Aids." "One who consistently shows compassion, concern, empathy and commitment in the care of individuals and families, displaying superior interpersonal skills, and compassion in care."
Sex Change
With the blessings of her family, in 1991 Vicci started her journey to begin her transition for Sex reassignment surgerySex reassignment surgery
Sex reassignment surgery is a term for the surgical procedures by which a person's physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble...
. The surgery was completed in 1996 by surgeons in Montreal, Canada
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. Vicci has since been engaged to be married once, but continues to live her life as a single woman in her hometown.
Music
Vicci is currently recording music with her first dance single "It's A Good Look" released March 26, 2009. She is also writing her first cook book, Vicci Laine's Wiener World due out soon.Titles And Awards
"Huron Grade School Mardi Gra King" -"Lawrence County 4-H Fair Disco Dance King 1978 & 1979" -
"Miss Gay Bloomington 1985" -
"Miss Gay Southwest USofA 1986" -
"Miss Gay Ohio Valley USofA 1986-1987" -
"Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988" -"Honorary Miss MCIT (Music City) 2006" -
"Indianapolis' Favorite Drag Queen 2007" -
"Eternal Flame Award 2008" -
"NUVO Magazine Top 3 Indianapolis Entertainers 2008" -
"Celia Busch Award 2008"
Career Time Line
1980-1986 Bullwinkles, Bloomington Indiana1982-1985 Talbot Street Nightclub, Indianapolis Indiana
1985-1989 21 Club, Indianapolis Indiana
01/89-08/89
3535 West, 3535 West 16th St. Indianapolis Indiana
01/89-11/08
The Ten, Indianapolis Indiana
06/03-07 Club Cabaret, Indianapolis Indiana
03/07-Present Unicorn Club, Indianapolis Indiana
06/08-Present Uncle Elizabeth's, Bloomington Indiana