The First Lady of WVAS QUEER
NEWS Speaks intimately with
reporter Jim Lawson in a ‘Hearts
to Hearts’ interview this week.
Miss Robin Hearts
Jim: Briefly describe your year of reign as Miss WVAS QUEER NEWS.
Hearts: My reign as Miss WVAS QUEER NEWS has been an exciting one! I’ve gotten to meet a lot of great people and got to know Terry and some of the other staff well. I have also made quite a few memories that I will forever cherish.
Jim: You are the first Miss WVAS QUEER NEWS and have set the standards very high for those who follow. Tell us the qualities you find most important for someone to step into the title and uphold it’s expectations.
Hearts: I think that first and foremost, any performer, title holding or not, should be able to entertain and have their fans and audience at the top of their priorities. As Miss WVA Queer News I have tried to set the example that regardless of whether an entertainer is wearing a crown or not, that doesn’t make any one person any better than any others in any way. I would hope that the future Miss WVA Queer News winners in the future show poise, a dedication to humanity and the LGBT community, and integrity at all times, as this is a great honor to be bestowed upon anyone.
Jim: What is next for Robin Hearts?
Hearts: The rest of this year I have decided to devote to performing and taking care of some things that I would like to do for myself, as far as furthering my MTF transition. Then, who knows, I would definitely like to stay involved with the webzine and run for a few more pageants in the future.
Jim: Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know.
Hearts: Often times, I struggle with self image issues. I try to keep that hidden from most, but I am almost always concerned about how I look and how others perceive me.
Jim: What motivates you to keep working in the community and balance your personal and professional life at the same time?
Hearts: I stay involved in the community, as it has been a defining part of my life and who I am over the course of the (almost) five years I’ve been performing. Balancing that with my personal life is very easy, fortunately though. I have a wonderful partner who is there for me and would do anything to help make anything I am struggling with easier. I also have great fans that have supported me through thick and thin and, without them, I wouldn’t be able to have achieved as much as I have professionally!
Jim: What is your proudest moment to date?
Hearts: That question is one that is difficult to answer. My most amazing moment of my career was being crowned Miss WVAS Queer News, hands down, however, a single moment of Pride would be hard to pinpoint. Each moment I walk off stage and feel like I’ve entertained even one person I feel it; anytime I hear any of the older members of our community talk about what things were like and how far we’ve come, I feel it. I just hope one day I can be as big a part of that revolution as our predecessors were.
Jim: How important do you feel WVAS QUEER NEWS has become to the state and surrounding areas of WV?
Hearts: WVAS Queer News has become a very respectable hub of information that makes it easier to find out what’s going on around the state, as well as, keep up to date on local events and issues around our state, the area, and beyond-I think that without it, we would definitely suffer a great loss on the forefront of our own communications.
Jim: What issues do you consider in the forefront of the battle for equality for the LGBT Community?
Hearts: Most, would say marriage. However, I feel that before the world is ready for that, I think we need to work on making everyone aware that we are people too. We live, love, work, and have normal everyday lives, just like everyone else and just because we happen to be gay, bi, lesbian, transsexual, or whatever, doesn’t mean we are any different from anyone else–this is not a lifestyle CHOICE.
I also think that the race for the cure of HIV/AIDS is very important, not only to our community, but to everyone and if we would all band together, then the cure could be within reach.
Jim: Where can we see more of you in the future? Dates and events?
Hearts: Jan 26 Vice Versa “Welcome Back Students Retro Party”
w/Candy Hearts
www.viceversaclub.comFeb 6 The Link in Irwin PA “WOW Wednesday”
w/ Jezebel
www.thelinkbar.com
w/Candy Hearts
www.viceversaclub.comFeb 6 The Link in Irwin PA “WOW Wednesday”
w/ Jezebel
www.thelinkbar.com
Feb 15 Vice Versa “Sucker For Love” show
w/ Candy Hearts and Andrea HeartsFeb 24 Woodstarr “WVA Queer News Benefit”
www.woodstarr.com
“This has been an amazing year and I am very thankful for all the readers, my fans, the writers and staff of WVQN and all those have supported me this past year. It is a memory I will cherish the rest of my life! I have gotten to meet some amazing people and do some amazing things through this opportunity that I have been given and I am truly grateful for it! It is with a heavy heart that this year is coming to an end and it is almost time to crown the next Miss WVA QUEER NEWS, but I know that whoever wins this honor will continue with the poise, and respect that it deserves and that I have tried to show…”
Robin Hearts, Miss WVAS QUEER NEWS 2007
Interviewed by Jim Lawson
bravenet.com