Lea DeLaria to Perform at Stonewall Museum & Archive's Annual Gala

Lea DeLaria has entertained crowds across the country and worldwide for over 30 years. She has earned legions of fans through her stand-up comedy, for her bebop jazz music, for her performances on Broadway, and of course for her fan favorite turn playing "Big Boo" on the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black." She returns to Florida for a special night indeed: The annual gala benefiting the Stonewall National Museum & Archives.

The gala will be held at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, February 13 at 8 p.m. This show is part of the Broadway Concert Series at the Parker Playhouse, presented by Mark Cortale and curated by Seth Rudetsky. Legendary drag queen Varla Jean Merman will be the host of the gala and will introduce DeLaria to the stage for her performance.

Tickets to the gala are $200 per person and entitle the ticketholders to seats in the first rows of the center orchestra, a pre-show open bars, hors d'oeuvres and a champagne reception following the show with the stars. The evening will begin with a silent auction, with items presented on the Parker Playhouse stage before the show. Other ticket prices start at $46.50 per person and are for the show only (with seating outside center orchestra). Visit stonewall-museum.org/support/lea-delaria to buy your gala ticket and support Stonewall Museum & Archives.

I thank Lea DeLaria for taking time out to speak to me for this exclusive Hotspots interview.

Welcome back to Florida!

Thank you.

I was researching past issues for our 30th anniversary issue last December and I saw an ad for a performance you did in Fort Lauderdale in 1996!

Yes! But, honey, let me be clear, I was performing here even earlier than that. The first time I went down to Fort Lauderdale to work was in 1986! [laughs] When I first performed there, your magazine wasn't called Hotspots; it was called Hotshots!

I remember the first club I performed at so vividly...it had a pool, and there was glass separating the pool from the club, and all the people in the queer scene went there. It's been fascinating to see the whole scene in South Florida change over time. Very interesting.

What do you think Florida's scene has that others in the country don't?

Well, the fact that there's a scene in Florida to begin with! Other states may not have scenes as much as they have a gay bar, or a few gay bars, but in Florida, there's gay neighborhoods, there are gay-owned hotels, businesses, restaurants...it's like a gay universe there. Every now and then, we all yearn for that place that is just for us, that's just for our own, and in Florida you can find that.

You were recently given an award for your LGBT activism in your home state of Illinois. How did it feel?

It always feels great when you're recognized. I've been on the front lines for equality now for 33, almost 34 years. People who know me only for Orange is the New Black may not realize that. The award really meant a lot to me specifically because I was selected by people who live in my home state. That meant a lot.

Tell us a little bit about your show in Fort Lauderdale. What can audiences expect?

Everything. You're going to get absolutely all of it. When I think of how to describe this show, I think "typical Lea DeLaria." Everyone will definitely enjoy themselves.

I've asked this question to other comics, and I want your opinion: Is there any subject that's off-limits in comedy?

No.

I ask that because recently Caitlyn Jenner was upset with Ricky Gervais over comments he made about her at the Golden Globes.

Hey, you gotta understand that I've been an openly gay comic in the lesbian community since 1982, and it feels like I've dealt with political correctness since Ricky Gervais was even born, okay? If you really want to hear bitching and complaining, perform to a room full of lesbians, and that's all I have to say about that. All people have to have a sense of humor about who they are. It definitely won't stop me from saying anything.

Out of all the different things you've done in your career (comedy, music, theatre, television), which is your favorite and why?

It's so difficult for me to answer, because I love it all. I f--kin' love "Orange is the New Black," I love working a small room at a jazz club, I love comedy... but there's just something about being at stage center, belting out a song and having a thousand people clap and cheer. There's nothing like it. I'm a butch lesbian and I've been on-stage in a wig, dress and heels twirling around for the applause! But what I love more is that this industry has allowed me to be able to do all of these things.

For more information on Lea DeLaria, visit leadelaria.com. For more information on the Stonewall Museum & Archives, visit stonewall-museum.org