Intimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.

No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.

When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.

No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:

Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.
Coming out, gender, and equality.
Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.
Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.

Kennedy Ann Scott was awarded Teacher of the Year in Nashville, Tennessee. Lagoona Bloo starred on the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical, and Alex Michaels received a stellar review from the New York Times for their role in La Cage Aux Falles at Barrington Stage Company. Olivia Lux starred in Rent and Kinky Boots. Julie J raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Nina West received an honorary doctorate in May 2024 and is a well-known entertainer, having worked with everyone from Glenn Close to Kermit the Frog.

Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person’s identity shouldn’t be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.

No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.

About the Authors

Kennedy Ann Scott is the stage name of Benjamin Slinkard. Benjamin is a Blue Ribbon Teacher and has been awarded Teacher of the Year for his service as an educator for Metro Public Schools. He has been recognized by the Nashville community as a top performer and claims residency at the Lipstick Lounge. He has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and the New York Times. Benjamin resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an advocate for children and members of the LGBTQIA community.

Alex Michaels, also known as Alexis Michelle, is an actor, drag artist, activist, and accomplished cook who stormed the international stage on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 and All Stars Season 8. They have also appeared in Blue Bloods, Dragnificent!, Drag Me Down the Aisle, True Colors, and the PBS series One Voice: Broadway—both with The American Pops Orchestra. In addition to performing their cabarets at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, and Club Cumming in NYC, they made their Barrington Stage Company debut playing Albin/Zaza to great acclaim from the New York Times. Alex holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre, where they also enjoyed writing about the LGBTQ experience in literature.

Olivia Lux is a drag artist, actor, singer, and musician who placed in the top five on Season 13 of the Emmy-award winning television show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. She has starred in lead roles in productions of RENT, Kinky Boots, and more. She has done television ad campaigns for brands including Starbucks, Burger King, and Paramount. Olivia is also a member of the legendary ballroom house of Miyake Mugler.

Julie J is a Brooklyn-based actress, drag artist, and community organizer. Julie stars in the horror comedy film Queens of the Dead. She has been featured in advertising campaigns for Maybelline and the luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar. In 2023, she was named Miss Bushwig at the nation’s largest drag festival, and in 2024, she won Entertainer of the Year at the Glam Awards, which recognizes the best NYC nightlife. She is the founder of Stand Up NYC, which has raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations.

Lagoona Bloo is a musician, actor and drag artist based in New York City. Since 2021, the self-titled “Mermaid Popstar” has released her debut EP AQUA and debut studio album Underwater Bubble Pop showcase her three-octave range with blissed-out synth anthems that redefine the intersection between pop music and drag. She has been featured on television shows such as America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and Nailed It! In 2024, she originated the role of Tuna Turner in the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We have 20 years experience selling books worldwide! Friendly customer support. Your satisfaction guaranteed!

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Miramar International Services LLC

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

www.californiabooks.com

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to California Books, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping Terms

www.californiabooks.com

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	3 to 7 business days	2 to 5 business days
First item	� 0.00	� 9.10

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.