Speak out talks to - Mr. Gay Virginia USA Classique, Xavier Cole.
Hey readers!
One of the things I love most about West Virginia’s Queer News is the outlets it provides, not only to residents of West Virginia, but to those outside the state lines in surrounding areas.
Terry has given me the honor this week of conducting an interview with the new Mr. Gay Virginia USA Classique, Xavier Cole, and introducing him to you. I share the honor (with Ashley Adams) of being a promoter for this preliminary and we are very excited to welcome Xavier to our family.
WVQN: Xavier, thank you so much for taking the time out of your already busy schedule to speak with West Virginia’s Queer News. Before we get to the hard hitting questions, how about you take a moment and introduce yourself?
I first would like to thank WVQN for this opportunity to share my story and the Gay USA Virginia system.
My character “Xavier Cole” is originally from Paris, Tennessee – a small rural area. I knew as a child that I enjoyed performing from church theatre to 4-H. (When 4-H is a performing outlet, you know you are in Tennessee.)
This later led to an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts and a Masters in Communications and Marketing. I have been on and off stage for almost 30 years. I love the performing arts and see it as a powerful art form.
WVQN – What made you decide to go into male entertainment? How has being a male entertainer benefited you?
This is question that I get often and honestly, I don’t think of myself as a “male” entertainer. I just think of myself as an entertainer. For some of my male friends, it is difficult to get bookings and appearances especially if they are competing for a spot with female impersonators. Our counterparts are doing characters and illusions while we are comfortable just “standing” on stage. We have to offer more.
This theory is the base for “The Many Faces of Xavier Cole”. I decided to entertain in the male competition arena because it created an opportunity for me to show our community that male performers were just as creative and innovative as our counterparts.
The benefits of entertaining have been extraordinary. Through this process I have met an extended family through USA Unlimited and a host of friends for life. In addition, it has provided me the opportunity to do volunteer work from aids awareness to fundraising for gay and lesbian students. This arena has provided me the opportunity to touch on many of my passions while having an impact on the GLBT community.
WVQN – You recently just won the title of Mr. Gay Virginia USA Classique 2008, what can you tell us about the “Classique” system?
First, I must say that I am honored to represent the Gay Virginia USA Classique System. My promoters, Ashley Adams and Sean Krystofer Colby are second to none in their reputations and the quality they expect in themselves and their representatives. I am excited to be part of this team.
USA Classique is part of the USA unlimited pageantry system. While the USA system is over two decades old this is one of its newer divisions. It is one of the most unique concepts within male pageantry. No other system –in the world- has a performance outlet for seasoned professions. I compete in the Classique division not because I am over 35 (43 years old and loving it) but because I see myself as an experienced professional in the business.
WVQN – What is your definition of “Classique?”
Contrary to what some may think when they hear the word “Classique” – we are not the old people. Classique to me is setting the standard on and “off” stage. There is an expectation that as a “Classique” competitor, I am helping to shape our industry.
WVQN – As the newly sashed Mr. Gay Virginia USA Classique, what is your plan of attack for your reign and do you have any platforms you'd like to fulfill?
This is such a great question! I remember as a kid sitting and watching Miss America as they discussed their platforms and thinking who cares about your platform. But today, over three decades later, I understand the importance of individuals having identified issues within our community.
With that being said, my platform issue is foster children. As a former foster child, I know how tough it is to be placed in numerous homes. I am especially sensitive to gay foster kids. As a gay foster child, I did not have any role models within the system and once I “aged” out of the system, I had to find my own resources for housing and education. While I am a success story, I know is not the case for all of us. Fewer than 10 percent of young people who leave foster care at age 18 attend college.
Because I am passionate about this, a colleague and I created an endowment scholarship for foster children to attend the MSU. This scholarship has been endowed and will provide support for years to come.
WVQN – One thing I’ve noticed about you is you’re very dedicated to the USA Unlimited system. What inspires that dedication?
For me it’s about relationships. I remember the first time I attended an activity in Hickory NC. I was introduced to Jeff Reeves and the staff. They treated me like I was part of their family--- in a genuine way. In many systems, I would have been ignored. But they made a conscience effort to get to know me…which in turn made me want to know them.
I often tell competitors that your character is not created on stage but off stage. So my connection and dedication is to a brand that embodies “family.” Growing up as a foster child, I know what it means to be in a family environment. And USA unlimited is family.
WVQN – Male contests are growing more and more in popularity with audiences, and also in numbers of them being held, however, contestant numbers are either really large or very small. Why do you think this is?
I think you hit on several key points. There are so many contests that male competitors are struggling to identify with a particular system. As a result, they don’t compete at all.
Second, the male pageant world is being dominated by a very small group of competitors. If you look at former national title holders, you will see the same names appear over and over. We need some new blood. The same people winning can cannibalize an industry.
Finally, male competition is difficult if you do it well. We often do not have the make-up and the costumes to hide behind. An in a world— especially gay world - that is visually driven, many of us are self-conscience of our bodies which make us question if we want to compete. What is great about the Mr. Gay Virginia USA Classique system is we focus on creativity, talent and professionalism.
WVQN – You have a degree in Marketing, how does that benefit you as a male entertainer and what are some benefits can you share with others to help them?
As a performer, you must know what you bring to the table. How are you different than the guy next to you? Why would I book you over another male competitor? What is your selling point? Once you can identify these pieces, then market not yourself, but that element of yourself. For example, there are not a lot of male performers that focus on illusions and creativity. That becomes my spin. I can’t sell Xavier Cole as a 43 year old, 6’2” – 175 (oh ok…185) male performer. There are several of us that fit that description. However, I can sell a male performer that does illusions as, “The Many Faces of Xavier Cole”. Understand the market and create you own niche.
WVQN – This year is a very important election year for our country. As a gay man, are you involved with politics and if so, what do you feel needs to be addressed by the candidates to the GLBT community?
Wow…I thought I was going to get through it without any political questions… (lol). I am involved primary from a fundraising standpoint. I feel we have an amazing political ticket with Clinton and Obama. It is clear that we are in a transformative period.
Most of us are saying, “Get out and vote.” But honestly, I don’t think that’s enough. Research your candidates, and help them in their grassroots efforts. Pass out flyers, volunteer in the office, but please don’t sit and think that voting is enough. We must be more proactive.
Regarding part two of the question… we must fight the republican “campaign of fear” --The fear of terrorism, fear of killing unborn children, and fear of the traditional family. We are asking for – Healthy global relationship, right to choose and equality.
I watched the previous elections as our democratic leaders struggled to build the case against the “fear campaign.” Hopefully, our party is ready for this challenge. I have always prayed that I would see a woman or African American in the White house, I’m optimistic that my dream will come true.
WVQN – Is there anything you’d like to let the readers know that you feel hasn’t been covered here?
I appreciate WVQN allowing us to this conversation from pageantry to politics. I am energized by the opportunities as Mr. Gay Virginia Classique and look forward to supporting the Virginia GLBT community and beyond. Please feel free to contact me about the system and the contest for next year at 202-415-4209. Email: xaviercoledc@aol.com or www.myspace.com/xaviercoledc
Thank you Xavier for giving us some insight into you on and off stage. It’s nice to get to read your thoughts and realize that there are some intelligent ideas behind the entertainment aspect. I hope that all of the West Virginia’s Queer News readers enjoy this interview and will wish Xavier well on his quest to become Mr. Gay USA Classique and all his future endeavors.
Thank you to West Virginia’s Queer News for expanding the lines of the state outward again.
Interviewed by: Sean Krystofer Colby
bravenet.com