As he puts it, he’s the greatest chorus boy who ever lived. His supporting

 roles, such as a dancer for Charo’s stage show, can “make any diva look fabulous.”

     Yet it just wasn’t enough. It wasn’t how Jade Esteban Estrada wanted his career to go. He prides himself on his stamina, his ability to do it all. And now, almost a decade later, he is a touring comedian, a pop musician, an actor and something of an activist.

     The activist thing is a more recent addition to his repertoire. It’s something he happened upon while touring with his "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1," a one-man musical act in which he portrays six queer figures of the past and present. From time to time, it and its recent sequel, Vol. 2, are met with opposition.

     “It’s really funny because all I’ve wanted to do in life is sing and dance, and here I am fighting with mayors and principals,” Estrada said by phone from Texas.

     Not that he’s some big gay steamroller coming through town trying to forcibly convert all the straights. Even on the phone, he’s instantly likeable and warm. He talks about balance in all he does: the way he lives, the way he structures his shows, the way he hopes people might consider his point of view. In fact, Estrada believes pop culture may have pressed Middle America too much, too fast.

     “I don’t support overnight change because that’s not natural. I do support education. Everybody’s going to take in that education on their own time if they want to,” he said.

     His shows provide an opportunity to learn about familiar gay icons as well as a few overlooked or forgotten by history. In the first volume, Estrada brings to life the ancient Greek poet Sappho, artist Michelangelo, writer Oscar Wilde, writer Gertrude Stein, transgendered gay-rights activist Sylvia Rivera and comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

     In the second volume, he channels ancient conqueror Alexander the Great, the arts and education advocate Queen Christina of Sweden, suffragist Susan B. Anthony, tennis great Billie Jean King, the assassinated California office-holder Harvey Milk and 9/11 victim Mark Bingham.

     Yep, they were gay. Or in the case of the more historical icons, are thought to have been. Queen Christina may have been intersexed.

     But Estrada insists his shows aren’t just about being homosexual. In fact, he thinks he only says the word “gay” only once in the second volume. The shows are about being human. In his monologue as Stein, he advises, “Don’t get caught up in all this gay activism. We’re all in this together. It’s not a gay thing. It’s a human thing.”

     Several times he asked where I would be, personally, without women like Anthony or King. The answer isn’t the tennis court or the voting booth. He believes it’s particularly important to edify young queer people on their predecessors, movers and shakers throughout history who happened to be gay. His performances help fund relevant programs, like an Indiana LGBT youth group.

     “It reminded me that not only do these kids need to know their history … these kids need to know that adults care, that we care,” Estrada said.

     His performances in Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines and Norfolk all will benefit Nebraska Pride 2005. He’s ready to perform locally and remind people that live theater can be explosive.

     “I say bring it on,” Estrada said. “I say fill the house with Republicans. I’m ready. I’ve been dancing behind Charo for years. I can take it.”
 

©2005 The Reader