When I first came out as a lesbian, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. I had spent six or seven years wondering if I was bisexual, gay, or maybe just... weird, and feeling like I wasn't quite normal. Finally, it hit me one morning when some part of my subconscious woke me up and said, "Hey, stupid, you're not a freak. You're just gay."

"Oh!" I thought. "Well this changes everything!"

I stopped feeling like a pervert for thinking my female friends were attractive and learned that one of the greatest joys in life is the smile on a girl's face when you give her an unexpected compliment. I bought and made a ton of rainbow clothes, bracelets, and my aunt even made me a rainbow camera strap. Everything I did needed to scream, "HEY IN CASE YOU FORGOT, I'M STILL GAY!" As you might imagine, I was really, really annoying.

When I discovered drag, I realized I'd met my match. Everything about drag is flamboyant, in-your-face, loud, proud, and unapologetic. In all honesty, I don't quite understand some of the finer points of drag shows, (like the performers' gender identities and if they differ from their gender expressions and stage personas), but you don't have to understand all that to enjoy the show. I realize not all drag queens are gay, but we all fall under the LGBT+ umbrella, and that makes us family.

I love the excitement of bringing my camera to a drag show. The performers will pose for me and dance with me while I dart around the venue trying to capture that perfect shot. I've done some of my best work at Hamburger Mary's. Here are some of my favorites.

You can see the complete set and more of my photos at KatherineOrfinger.com