You’re Going Out to Dinner; Why Not Have it with a Drag Queen and Support a Local Charity.

Local personality Miss Patsi has been doing drag for almost 40 years. She brought her talents to the desert and began Dinner with Patsi five years ago, raising money for local charities and supporting local restaurants along the way. GED Magazine sat down with Miss Patsi for a quick Q and A…

How did Dinner with Patsi start?

When one retires and moves to a new hometown — and you don’t want to perform anymore — what do you do with a closet full of drag? So, we came up with the idea of having dinner parties in which we could invite our friends to raise money for local 501(c)3 organizations. And Dinner with Patsi was born.

What brought you to Cathedral City? 

My husband, Michael, and Thommy (me) had been looking to retire in the desert for several years. We fell in love with the Cathedral City Cove and purchased an absolutely lovely home. You know darlings, when your husband and your counterpart move; one must go along with them. And, I got an absolutely fabulous closet room.

Where did you live before moving to Cathedral City? 

We lived in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles for more than 25 years.

Who is Patsi? What is Dinner with Patsi‘s mission? 

Why, darling, who is Patsi?  I am, of course. But I guess you mean who is this old, retired drag queen. I am former Golden State Gay Rodeo royalty and an AIDS fundraising queen. And I have the crowns to prove it, dearie. OK, you want the backstory. As an activist and fundraiser in New Mexico during the early ‘80s and ‘90s, I honed my craft performing as Miss Patsy Cline. Since it was all about me of course, I needed to change the ‘Patsy’ to ‘Patsi’. The 2000’s brought crowns and sashes from the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association where I was Miss this and Miss that. Darlings, the Rodeo Association was where I cut my fundraising teeth and I’ve done pretty good over the years. You know, Dinner with Patsi is really a very simple concept: have a good time while giving a local restaurant a great night and supporting a local 501(c)3 organization by passing the hat for “spare change and loose checks.”

Your focus is on raising money in Cathedral City? 

Cathedral City is my new hometown. If you don’t take care of your hometown, who will?

What organizations have you raised money for?

The twelve 501(c)3 organizations that we have raised funds for are: Angel View, Boys and Girls Clubs of Cathedral City, California Jazz Foundation, CCHS Band, CCHS Choirs, CCHS Performing Arts, CC Police Officers Fund, CC Professional Firefighters Association, Safe Schools Desert Cities, SCRAP Gallery, Transgender Health and Wellness Center, and the Cathedral City Senior Center, along with thousands of dollars in food donations for their Foodbank. The restaurant also benefits from Dinner with Patsi, and we have hosted dinner at over 20 restaurants. In total we have raised over $71,240 for the 501(c)3 organizations and moneys for the host restaurants!

What is your goal for the next year? The next five years? 

Well, I’d have to say that Dinner with Patsi plans on reaching out to more local businesses, including bars. I’ve already been approached by more organizations for help. I would love to have more guests at dinner but that will come in time. After all you know you’re going out to dinner “so why not have dinner with a drag queen!” As for setting goals, I try to remember that at the end of every Dinner with Patsi my red hat has more “loose change & spare checks out of your wallet” than when I started. Over $71,000 is not bad for five years of spare change.

What would you like to say to the LBGTQ community? 

Not all drag queens are the same; some of us just want to help our hometown. We are so fortunate to live in the Coachella Valley with our large and diverse LGBTQ+ community. And there are many, many excellent organizations doing worthwhile work. Find your niche so you can give back. Only you can make a difference in your hometown.

What inspires you to do and be Patsi every month? 

Oh sweetie, that’s an easy question. Some of us collect crowns, sashes, trophies, awards, but I collect smiles! All I need is a smile from a child at the Boys & Girls Club or a senior at the Senior Center. Knowing we helped is more than enough. But I also will admit I draw energy and stamina from my acknowledgment plaques that line the walls of our hallway at home. Sometimes I am just too tired, but then I look down the hall and realize someone needs Patsi’s help. And away she goes!

What other projects is Patsi working on? 

 Oh, my darling, I would love to start a foundation so that Dinner with Patsi would continue long after I have turned to dust and blown away. For now, and in the near future, I just want to keep doing what I can. Maybe expand a little, I would love to host a quarterly Sunday brunch. Or possibly Cocktails with Patsi. But we’ll see. Who knows?

 For more information and to join in a Dinner with Patsi, follow her on Facebook @DinnerWithPatsi.