Fri 29 Feb 2008 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Jackson Gilmor 18-year-old Jackson co-hosts Hamilton's Flat Out Pride radio show, and is a regular MC at Shine nightclub as his glamorous alter-ego Louisa. We found out more about this talented young gay entertainer. GayNZ.com: How often does Louisa Vuitton go out and what does she get up to? Jackson: Louisa is usually out and about at drag events and social gatherings for the gay community. I don't usually go out just for the sake of it, but certainly if there is a party happening Louisa will be there! Louisa is an MC more than a performer and so is usually there with the microphone tearing up closet boys and making sure everyone is having a great time. At Shine nightclub I always like to make sure visiting or new guests have a good time and am more than happy to go out of my way to make sure they are. How did you get started in drag? Back at high school in Thames, myself and my friend Shane decided on a Barbie and Ken dress-up day that we would go together as Barbie… obviously caused quite a stir being a small town. But we had a fabulous time! Understandably I left Thames soon after that and moved to Hamilton where I met KC (symphony Damned) at Venom. She approached me and asked me to do Amateur Drag and that's where it all started. She soon became my “drag mother” and we have stuck together ever since I really value my relationship with KC she has helped me so much. What attracts you to being a drag artiste? I love the feeling of being able to change who you are and put on a complete new face and be someone completely different. The persona of Louisa is completely different to me and I love that! I'm a born entertainer and I enjoy making people smile and laugh even if it is at me! You're on Hamilton Radio's Flat Out Pride show too… can you tell us what the show is about and what kinds of things listeners can expect to hear? Flat out Pride started last year by Geoff from NZ AIDS Foundation and myself basically to fill the void in the radio schedule. We thought Hamilton needed something gay and camp to listen to, so we do just that and provide half an hour every week where you can listen to your favorite gay songs, hear all the goss and find out where the hottest events are. Geoff and I take pride in promoting safe sex in our show and make regular mention of NZ AIDS Foundation's promotions. What's your background, and where did you grew up? I was a little gay boy living in the heart of Thames… I grew up in a very straight environment living in a small community went to a primary school with a roll of about 60 students, and then on to a small high school of about 600 students. So there wasn't many other gay guys (that where out). When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? I think I came out to my mother without knowing it when I was about 3 (wearing her dresses and doing my makeup). She always used to remind me that being gay wasn't a bad thing, which really helped for when I decided to come out - which happened to be an evening with the family at the local pub where I came out in front of everyone. My mum kind of looked like at me, then laughed and said "finally"! I decided to tell the rest of my family and had a great response. Everyone accepted me for who I was which was really great. I'm so lucky to have such a great family. They mean the world to me. I also had great friends in Thames that supported me, which made it easier through my High School years, but without a doubt everyone knew that I was the gay boy that always got picked last for a game of rugby, but first to attend wagging escapades to go shopping. I always made an effort to help out fellow gay peers at school. I was a peer support student and also participated and started the Peninsula Queer youth group which ran alongside Hamilton's Waikato Queer youth group and helped develop the Action Kit. I Also Attend the Kaha Queer youth Hui in Wellington representing my school which was an amazing opportunity! Louisa Vuitton What's your relationship status? Very cliché but I'm currently seeing someone who is fantastic and extremely supportive of my alter ego Louisa Vuitton. I'm really lucky to have met someone like him who appreciates me for who I am. That's lovely! So what do you think are the most pressing issues currently facing the NZ's gay community? I think homophobia in schools is something that needs urgent attention. Obviously acceptance of the community has changed heaps but I still have a passion for eliminating the hate involved, and it's so important in school because it can be an extremely hard time fighting for your acceptance and trying to get an education at the same time. What's your worst habit? Smoking. I always hate looking at photos and seeing Louisa with a ciggy in her hand. Your favourite music at the moment? I'm really loving Janet Jackson and Britney, she's fabulous! All the camp tunes that are rocking the clubs always go down a treat with me. Your favourite movies? Has to be White Chicks. I love the fact that they look so fabulous as women! Really just made me laugh the first time so it certainly sticks! Your favourite TV programmes? I love Desperate Housewives - I think you'll find we all do! Your favourite websites? GayNZ.com, Bebo and Trademe! All a wee bit addictive. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? Obviously I would like to live in a fabulous house with a gorgeous car with a pool boy and lots of wine… But to be honest if I had one wish it would be a cure for HIV and AIDS so that all my dear friends with the virus could be cured! Who are your LGBT heroes? I don't really have any heroes but I really do think that Miss Gloriousole is fantastic. She has shown me so much and taught me a lot - I have taken so much advice and managed to come a long way in the short time I have been in Hamilton. What's coming up in the near future for you? I have made a decision to pursue my interest in the fields of radio and journalism, and I have decided to move to Auckland in the near future as I feel there is more opportunity. I really look forward to the future for my self career-wise… as for Louisa, I can see that she will still be out a lot in Hamilton when I first move to Auckland as she's signed up for a few future events! GayNZ.com - 29th February 2008