Gay Pride Idol Marianne Kooken proud to be straight
Should you have to be queer to win a contest called Gay Pride Idol? Marianne Kooken, who is straight, thought maybe she shouldn't enter the first-ever contest organized for this year's San Francisco Pride. But Kooken, who has impersonated female impersonators at Finocchio's for years, was encouraged by gay friends to enter. She disclosed her orientation at every level of the competition, and although some members of the audience booed, the judges loved her. Since winning, she has thrown herself into her new role, volunteering at the AIDS Memorial Grove and making plans to take part in breast cancer charity events. Pride parade director Teddy Witherington called the dissent "sour grapes." SF Gate
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