I've touched on how we, as representatives of our community, should behave in public. This goes double for title holders. I will not name names, I will not point fingers, and I will not trash talk. However, when a title holder threatens to tarnish the reputation of the rest of us because of their completely unacceptable behaviour, it is NOT ok. I’m not one of these droggers who write blog after blog about how this person did this or that person did that, and oh my feelings are hurt because of this that and the other. However, when a specific incident arises that warrants attention, not because it affects one person but because it could potentially affect many, it’s acceptable to address it.
When you become a title holder, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a bar title, state title, local title, whatever, you sign a contract stating that you will conduct yourself appropriately in public. I’ve seen queens stripped of their titles, kings stripped of their titles, for far less than some of the behavior I’ve witnessed over the last few years. How it is some manage to keep their titles is beyond me. Now, I don’t claim that everyone likes me. I know for a fact that many don’t. Personally, I don’t care. I also don’t claim that I have never had a drink or 2 at a show. However, not once have I ever conducted myself in anything other than a strictly professional manner no matter where I am, or who I’m working with. The same cannot be said for others. I have seen kings get drunk, push people around, be obnoxious, and act sloppy on stage and off. I have seen kings start rumours about other people in the community, write pages of blogs calling people “whores.” I have seen kings go out of their way to try and start drama, when there really is no drama to be had. Whether you like someone or not, regardless of your reasons, publicly calling someone “the whore of Babylon” is completely unprofessional, as is getting trashed at a show, breaking bottles behind the bar, and causing the other people in your show to leave in the middle of it. Unacceptable. Full stop. This kind of behavior, had it been done in the home, would have been considered a form of domestic abuse. Just because it was done in a bar, in front of an audience (witnesses?) doesn’t make it any less despicable.
Where does the line get drawn? What can a title holder get away with before the pageant system they represent says enough is enough? When does the community they represent say enough is enough? People make mistakes, we’re only human. But when something like this is not just a one-time occurrence, maybe it’s time to say “no more.”
For some, having a title is more than just a feather in our cap. It’s something to be proud of, not just another “win” to add to a list. You could have a dozen titles, but if you act like a moron, disrespect your community and make yourself look like an ass, then they mean nothing.
Just something to think about…