Confused yet?
I’ve heard some people claim “ownership” over kings’ names and personas because they’d helped them at some point during their relationship. Usually, this claim comes after a breakup or fight or something similar. Regardless, I think it’s ridiculous. If I buy my partner clothes or perfume, things that help contribute to who they are, do I get to claim that I own them? Absolutely not. The same goes for my drag name, persona, costumes, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything that everyone does for me, just as I’m sure the kings and queens I’ve helped appreciate my efforts. But you don’t own me. It just seems like an awfully self-righteous idea to say that just because you’ve helped, you “own” part of this person. I’ve even heard someone say, “I know I didn’t help financially, but I cooked and I cleaned!” Honey, that doesn’t mean you own anyone… that means you were in a relationship! Hell, I know some unemployed kings that have never spent any of their own money on anything. If we go by the argument that if I pay for x amount of costuming, travel expenses, props, etc then these kings’ partners not only OWN said king’s name, persona, titles, costumes, props, etc, they ARE that king.
Don’t claim ownership of something that is not now, never was and never will be yours. My name is my name, just like your name is your name. Don’t let anyone try to tell you that because they’ve helped you, you are in their debt, you owe them or belong to them in any way. We have all worked hard on making our names and our personas the best they can be.
I like to think that Freddy takes on a little bit of all of those who have helped him over years. So in a way, they’re all a part of me, and I’m a part of them; they, you, are all a part of what makes me, me. But no one will EVER own me.