LGBT
Related: About this forumLady Chablis, Transgender 'Midnight' Star, Dies at Age 59 (NYT link also incl.)
SAVANNAH, Ga. The Lady Chablis, the transgender performer who became an unlikely celebrity for her role in the 1994 best-seller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," died Thursday in Savannah, her family said. She was 59.
Chablis' sister, Cynthia Ponder, confirmed she died at Candler Hospital. A close friend, Cale Hall, said Chablis died from pneumonia and had been in the hospital for the past month.
A modern, nonfiction take on Southern Gothic storytelling, author John Berendt's "Midnight" thrust Savannah into the pop-culture spotlight. And the sassy, blunt-spoken Chablis rode the book's popularity to a level of fame that was rare for transgender performers at the time.
"The legacy that she wanted to leave was one of 'believe in who you are and never let the world change who you are,'" Ponder said. "Love yourself first and respect yourself first and others will love and respect you."
Chablis insisted on playing herself in 1997's "Midnight" movie directed by Clint Eastwood. That same year she published an autobiography, "Hiding My Candy."
more...
from the NYT story about her passing.
[hr]
Chablis was my friend. When I came out in college, she was one of the people who welcomed me into the gay world. I used to go to her performances all of the South and partied with her more times than I can count. She had a sharp tongue, but a huge heart. Years later, I ran into her in Atlanta and she called me by my nickname (she gave me). I teased her and asked if she knew my real name, she said "Ms. Thang, please!" and blurted out my real name.
I am so lucky to have known someone like her.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)She was beautiful and very talented. May she rest in paradise.
CherokeeDem
(3,709 posts)The book, the documentary, and the movie continue to be among my favorites.
Lady Chablis was larger than life and an unforgettable character.
RIP.
GoDawgs
(267 posts)Long form article in SMN:
http://savannahnow.com/news/2016-09-08/i-just-try-be-who-i-am-savannah-midnight-fans-mourn-celebrate-lady-chablis
the Grand Empress needn't hide the candy anymore.
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)From special Key Lime Pie, to this, you are really helping me out. It is much appreciated. When reading that article, I laughed because I forgot how she was often called, "The Doll".
GoDawgs
(267 posts)By appeared I mean she stole the show. Fantastic snark. She did a lot of charity events here too. Then again, lots of us were to be found at Club1 in Savannah any given weekend, or Chuck's or Pink house
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)I thought her name was Raven, but that's not right...Cézanne, that was her name!
I used to watch Chablis in Columbia (various clubs as they always open and closed in various locations). I ran into her at Club1 one year and the line was out the door, she dragged me and my friends to the front of the line. When the bouncer gave her shit, she gave it right back and we waltzed in the door! LOL!
Did you ever get to out with her outside of the clubs? She was really different, very down-to-earth.
Warpy
(111,255 posts)Her she is in all her talented and hilarious glory:
RIP, and thanks for the laughs.
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)I am just sobbing after watching it, but I have such good memories of her. Of course, she was always the best when she was performing a number from "Sweet Pussy Pauline."
She was bigger than life on stage, but such a sweet person in private. Still sassy, she was always sassy.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)inside and out
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)icymist
(15,888 posts)8 track mind
(1,638 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,288 posts)[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4]I haven't been checking on DU as much lately.
My deepest condolences. Too many flames as been dying out lately and it seems that hers was a particularly bright one.[/font]