Drag, Activism, and Power Beyond Pride with Honey Davenport

Kenyon Farrow

Hello and welcome to Power Beyond Pride, a weekly queer change-making podcast, bringing you voices and ideas from across our fierce and fabulous spectrum to transform our world. I am Kenyon Farrow. I'm a writer, activist. communication strategist and really happy to be here.

Shane Lukas

I think you're forgetting you are a phenomenal writer. You're an amazing activist, and I'm happy to see you here.

Honey Davenport

okay

Shane Lukas

I am Shane Lukas, activist, harm reductionist, and a short stack of ginger with a side of daddy, and I'm excited for today. because this is going to be such a fun interview, Kenyon. We're going to have so much fun. ah Today's guest is somebody who does not believe in having one job. They they bring so many so many work to the to the platform. Drag performer, singer, songwriter, actor, activist, DJ, leather, community advocate, reality TV star, and dare I say it recently, and dare I celebrate it. porn star. Yes. Yes, let us bring it and celebrate it. We are clapping. All the cheeks. Now, not that I know because I live in North Carolina and we can't have porn here now, but... I have heard, and you can send me the videos. So please welcome to Power Beyond Pride, the fabulous, talented, and always busy Honey Davenport.

Honey Davenport

What's up? Yeah.

Kenyon Farrow

you yeah we are very happy to have you um i've been certainly a fan since uh drag race and And even I've been following you on social media and even just some of the recent activism that you've done, which we'll get into a little bit. you know in terms of. uh leather community and Palm Springs and a range of other things. so um very happy to talk to you but before we do any of that

Honey Davenport

Mm hmm.

Kenyon Farrow

Uh... Let's talk about your travel schedule. so you

Honey Davenport

Oh my gosh.

Kenyon Farrow

you you will You are literally everywhere. So what does your life actually look like? right now when you're bouncing from city to city performance to performance and event to event and you know more importantly like what is your airport survival strategy and as somebody who i should travel a lot more than i do now i'm always looking for these kind of tips uh and traveling in sweatpants with snacks is that your thing or do you give like you know full celebrity you know introns at the TSA.

Honey Davenport

ah

Shane Lukas

It's Ron's.

Kenyon Farrow

don

Honey Davenport

And Tron's. Well, it' it's it's a tight... Aggressive little travel schedule, which I'm really grateful for. And I'm really grateful for everything this year is presenting. to me and all of these opportunities so like this is not at all a complaint but you know i am at the point where i'm planning my rest ah like when i can sleep when i need to hydrate like like so that i'm on my you know on my game um which is ah a really aggressive Like... life right now, but i'm like I said, I'm grateful for it. um And it's definitely giving sweatpants in the airport. It's 1000 % giving sweatpants in the airport. um I, you know. i have been traveling like this for quite a while from drag race to now i'm being international mr leather um to even pre-drag race travel so like i got the i got the way to get through the airport down it's comfortable i mean if people are gonna know you'd be kind and friendly but it's definitely a time where i'm trying to get from point a to point b so i'm not trying to give you like full celebrity mode but you know we can kiki if i run into you and um what gets me through is a nice Crisp. Cold. Glass of Savion Blanc. Mm hmm.

Shane Lukas

All right. Well, I think that sounds like an invitation for anybody who sees you in the airport to give you. And probably the pilot, let's be honest, is America. Oh, phew, Savion.

Honey Davenport

ah wow

Shane Lukas

wonks in the process and and i do appreciate you mentioning titan aggressive also my favorite the um So I do appreciate that.

Kenyon Farrow

ha

Honey Davenport

Ha ha. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

as well. I think that's also really important. And I love that you're bringing all the entrants in your schedule, because it really is a testament to...

Honey Davenport

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

just the different roles and the different spaces you'rere you're occupying these days. And I think that's amazing, including why it's so important that right now, by the way, while we're on this podcast, if I can share this, honey, because I feel like we got to be real here. You are making chicken because a chicken dinner that you can make. that that like That sounds like a little bit of home on a travel schedule that I'm sure you don't get a lot to do it. So we appreciate you making time and cooking chicken with us today. So I think that's really great.

Honey Davenport

Absolutely. cooking Cooking is one of my love languages.

Shane Lukas

ah

Honey Davenport

So like a little bit after this podcast, I have a few friends.

Shane Lukas

We've just met. I can't believe you said you love me. I appreciate that. That's very sweet. We're already there, honey. We're already there.

Honey Davenport

We're already there.

Shane Lukas

We're already there.

Honey Davenport

You better watch out. I'm the kind of girl who goes hard.

Shane Lukas

I...

Honey Davenport

um

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, tight and aggressive. I've noticed.

Honey Davenport

And tighten the gusset. Right. But, uh, ah Yeah. So, you know, whenever I'm home, I do try to take the opportunity to cook myself like a big, fabulous meal. um So, yeah.

Shane Lukas

And you deserve it. And you deserve it.

Honey Davenport

Thank you.

Shane Lukas

And I think that that's amazing. And honey, people think they know drag, right? Like, I'm sure you've run into that. But my question is, do they? Because I think you've been able to use drag as entertainment, storytelling, activism, fashion, music, and political commentary. So I'd love to hear a little bit about what powers your exploration of drag. And is all the glam, like does the idea that drag is all about glam kind of get in the way of the many faces of drag, like from punk rock to play that have made up the history of drag? So I'd love to hear like what powers your exploration of that.

Honey Davenport

That is such a big question. Also, wait, before I answer it, um when you speak, I can see the the voice thing moving under yours, but when I speak, I don't see it in mine. and just double checking to make sure that that's okay.

Shane Lukas

i can I can hear you, yes.

Honey Davenport

Okay, part.

Shane Lukas

And in my dreams.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah, that's fine.

Shane Lukas

Yeah.

Honey Davenport

Okay. okay perfect all right so that's a really big question like what power is my drag um and it's you know throughout my career i've taken inspiration from a multitude of things i've been doing drag for 20 years uh sometimes there's been a brick on the side of the wall and london has inspired me or bumblebees um has inspired most of my looks on rupaul's drag race um so I take inspiration from all different facets of my life. I always have. To me, drag is when you use your your body as the canvas and the factors of gender are eliminated. ah So, you know, I've never based my drag off of a gender or walk of life, more just like glamour and the the beauty that I see in the world. um So that's like that's what kind of inspires me and fuels me. like you know There's some ounce of drag in just about everything we do. You know, Mother Ru always says, we're all born naked and the rest is drag. i even do some naked drag so whatever um you know so like I get inspiration from so many things

Kenyon Farrow

to do it.

Shane Lukas

is there is there any is Are there any artists in the past that you that you think about? Because I think about some of the punk queens from New York and other in Seattle when I was coming out.

Honey Davenport

Uh-oh.

Shane Lukas

And like, are there any drag queens that really?

Honey Davenport

they So many, you know

Shane Lukas

were informed.

Honey Davenport

uh before i did drag i used to travel as a backup dancer for peppermint So Peppermint inspired me a lot in my really early 20s. and traveling i literally saw the world with her london dublin berlin Sydney, and she took me everywhere. um And I was a backup dancer for her before. step it out in my own heels. So she's been an inspiration. ive I was also just raised by some like... new york like legends from you know paul alexander who's a fierce songwriter from the ones to uh jeremy extravaganza who's always been like a father to me, to Kevin Aviant, who's always been a mentor of mine.

Shane Lukas

Din din dah.

Honey Davenport

ah Right? So...

Kenyon Farrow

Nice job, Tom.

Honey Davenport

ah I was brought up by some like... divas in the world of drag, some like real legendary names. And there's way too many to count, but I think I do carry pieces of them all with me, especially, especially my Davenport family. Um, When I first started doing drag, I lived at across the street from my auntie, Sahara Davenport, who was a big inspiration, and she introduced me to my drag mother. Deja Davenport, who is a phenomenal makeup artist. like that you know, uh has worked with so many hollywood elites especially trans women a powerful trans woman who's taught me my way around a makeup brush and helped me cultivate like What my... look and identity of my identity are and how to polish. Anything I wanted to create. ah So there's so many. There's so, so many. They say it takes a village. it It definitely took the entirety of the West Village, Harlem, Washington Heights, Brooklyn, all of it.

Kenyon Farrow

If you would.

Shane Lukas

And all in heels.

Honey Davenport

All in heels.

Kenyon Farrow

Right. Yeah, so it's really interesting to hear that kind of like preparation that it took to kind of, you know, be able to do drag professionally um at that scale. But I also wonder about like. you know there's there's doing drag professionally and even becoming nationally even you know internationally known you know in the community but then there's like rupaul's drag race right which takes you to another level and so from your season um season 11 what did going through that experience teach you about the entertainment industry that you simply could gotten any

Honey Davenport

Right.

Kenyon Farrow

where else, right? And was there anything about doing television and drag on television in that way ah that made you go, oh. This is how y 'all do things over here? like

Honey Davenport

Well, you know Reality TV is its own particular form of television. Um, I was... i was raised uh You know, but my my big cousin is Lee Daniels. So I'm not unfamiliar.

Shane Lukas

oh

Honey Davenport

with ah the world of... film and television uh and i worked for lee for quite a bit while i was in college um so I mean, I had some... Hollywood how-to in my back pocket from my big cousin for sure but But reality TV... is a whole nother form of Hunger Games Entertainment. um ah ah where people volunteer as tribute with their mental health. um and But, you know, it is what it is. um RuPaul's Drag Race like so many other reality TV shows. is a springboard. for you to kind of create whatever you want from it. So yeah, you'll have this reality TV show experience, but... the you know the future that mother roo has already carved out for you is that you can take this moment and become whatever you want to be um so it definitely told me a whole new perspective of TV and entertainment because it kind of gave me keys to a kingdom that I don't know that everybody gets access to. Not everybody gets to walk that walk. um So it it it it changed my perspective in that before Drag Race, it like... becoming a TV personality or creating the shows and things that I wanted to create. They were a dream. And then after Drag Race, they were a thing that I could do if I wanted to do it. I had access. I had the keys.

Shane Lukas

that's really powerful that's really powerful and and thank you for sharing about that you know again that that idea that, you know, there is opportunity in it.

Honey Davenport

mm-hmm

Shane Lukas

And I think that, you know, seeing that as part of your journey, because, you know, one thing I admired hearing you speak is, and you talked about your journey from New York to California and your exploration of these performance subcultures. um And I guess I think of you talking about reality TV in some ways as like, you know, I can make of it what I want. I have this opportunity to kind of shape it. in the way and the vision of of that i want to create and what i want to say in the world And, you know, we'll come back to your international Mr. Leatherwin because that's pretty amazing and something we want to chat about. But let's stick with Young Honey. Like. do you see your creative expression as a form of activism like or authenticity or is it both

Honey Davenport

You know, I believe, and I say this quite often, but it's from my mother, you know. Our... Differences are things that make us special. aren't They're not just... Our uniqueness. They're not just our personality. They're actually... our personal tools. our sword to wield to dismantle systems of oppression. um So I do believe that. and everything that I allow myself to do and be. I am consistently opening the door. for others to explore the possibility of if this is the kind of life that they would want as well. So there is activism in my walk. um And I wouldn't say that's, you know, the the hill i die on that my activism is i show up and i'm me so therefore other people can be it takes a lot of other work outside of that i think to really call yourself an activist but yes That is a form of activism. Existing in yourself joyfully is a form of activism, 1000%.

Shane Lukas

I love that. Is that something you see in your future? Is that something you see as you know, as you again, thinking about your road forward that you think about, like, how am I now that people are paying more attention to what I create? is part of what I create then. modeling something different or a different way of seeing the world. i do I love what you're saying around like you're giving people a different vision of what's possible.

Honey Davenport

Right, right, right. you know I don't think that I think of the way I move as... I am. giving people permission but i do see that they receive it that way and i'm grateful for that because i just as much power and autonomy over my existence, I feel like I have, I would hope that the legacy that I leave behind is that we all do. We all have that power over our lives and who we choose to become.

Shane Lukas

That's beautiful.

Kenyon Farrow

Thank you. So we are going to have to take a quick break. Power Beyond Pride family, but don't go anywhere because when we come back, we'll be discussing. dismantling discrimination on a local and national level, the cost of speaking out when you're doing that kind of activism with Honey. And we've been talking a little bit more about sort of drag about Miss Lady Honey, but now we're going to turn and talk a little bit about Daddy Honey. when we get back.

Honey Davenport

Okay.

Kenyon Farrow

So we'll be back.

Shane Lukas

Awesome.

Honey Davenport

Awesome.

Kenyon Farrow

all alright

Shane Lukas

We're back to power beyond pride as you know before we went to break we were discussing activism and how having a platform allows us to be able to to be visible further in spaces than just being local. And we're having this discussion here with Honey Davenport. The superstar, the DJ, the RuPaul's Drag Race alum, the international Mr. Leather, all the things in the world. And I'm having this here also with my co-host, Kenyon Farrow. And we're loving that you're listening to us here on today's conversation. So, honey. You've been also doing work in your local community around dismantling discrimination. Tell us about that work in Palm Springs with the Human Relations Commission.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

and p .s i sit on my own county so i so i i love

Honey Davenport

Oh, sweet!

Shane Lukas

I love that you're working alongside your HRC. um Give us the tea on what started this recent work and where you're taking it.

Honey Davenport

Yeah. Yeah, you know, um not only did I experience... macro and microaggressions in Not just Palm Springs, but, I mean, this is America. You know, it's something that, unfortunately, as a person of color, is more more than likely going to be part of your... existence. um But, uh... You know, I'm pretty well connected in the community. And after experiencing a situation that I just didn't see was fair, that I spoke out about. um I decided to not let it just be some kind of internet drama or something that fades away, but something that we... actually do something about because of the way that it hurt. You know, I was like, not only do I not want to experience this, I feel like Since I've lived in Palm Springs the past three years, I've seen this community grow and stretch and diversify in so many ways. and There's a ah cultural shift already happening here, and there's so many... younger queers and kinksters that That are my young family. That I am the i am Papa to. You know what I'm saying? And I know that if I allow myself mistreatment, I'm... showing them that that is how they should be able to, move how they have to move as well. Um... So I take that and into consideration when i when I move, how I do in this community. And so I decided to take things a step further and say, this is not an issue between me and the person who I felt mistreated me. This is an issue. between the way People are treated in Palm Springs. and Palm Springs. Right. Like this is if if if we are going to be a city for everyone, like we say we are, if we are going to be a hub of, you know. LGBTQ. plus voices and experiences, then then we all deserve equal space at this table. and fair treatment. in this in this um in the space and So I spoke out about it, and I spoke to... HRC and we started to come up with a plan because I believe the the thing that really fuels hatred is ignorance. The minute that you introduce education, the minute that people... are able to grow and to change and to formulate their own perspectives nobody's born a racist that's a taught thing and unlearning can a lot of times be much harder than learning Knowing that I wanted to create resources to do just that so you know i've been working alongside the city and alongside the human rights commission we're actually in the process of developing a subcommittee to the human rights commission that just tackles the way that this city deals with discrimination and and what that looks like is everything from education from pamphlets to class classes to content resources things that you're going to be here you're going to live here this is how we operate in this space and i always say like you know when you know you're driving through an area with more top when more more cops more tops wow where's my mind

Kenyon Farrow

but yeah

Honey Davenport

Wait. yeah

Shane Lukas

Where is that in America? know

Kenyon Farrow

Right.

Honey Davenport

Right?

Kenyon Farrow

When you're driving, in there's and more time.

Honey Davenport

Right? Everyone, we're tops.

Shane Lukas

We don't even know where that is.

Kenyon Farrow

i was like there's too many tops let me go to where there are fewer tops right

Honey Davenport

Right?

Shane Lukas

that sounds like that sounds like that you made that up You made that up.

Honey Davenport

Right. Let me go.

Shane Lukas

You made that up.

Honey Davenport

Let me go to there. But when you're driving in an area.

Kenyon Farrow

you

Honey Davenport

that there's more cop presence. you drive slower, you drive more on the speed limit. So you set the tone for your space. If we work to make. Palm Springs a place. where the tone is set. We treat people fairly equally here. We respect all identities here. If we work to set that tone, the people visiting, the people living here will fall in line. And then we even have plans to reach out to our Desert Business so Association is really strong here. So we have plans on how businesses can become um more efficient. at treating everybody the same at treating everyone fairly even though we have these um We have these parts of us that are ingrained in our society that are inherently racist because we're American. And because we're here. you know And because that's what this country was built on. What kind of education can we create to literally dismantle that here? So I'm going to be working with a new subcommittee that's starting up with educators and city leaders to do just that.

Shane Lukas

Love it.

Kenyon Farrow

So I'm curious, in doing this work, and particularly because, you know, of the, you know, kinds of incidents and things that sort of happened it became very public and um and also as somebody just working in nightlife in so many different capacities um you know you're partly really you know, your livelihood is kind of tied to people liking you, right? And so when you become an activist and you challenge sometimes your audience or your base or the people who, you know, support your work, that can feel like some, you know, can be scary. So I'm just curious to know kind of how you navigated. um you know doing that uh work and and speaking out about um you know issues uh where it could have cost you you know personally professionally financially etc And you decided to do it anyway. So just tell me what that was like and the decision to kind of move forward despite. you know, ah that the risk.

Honey Davenport

You know, I think it's something that in tackling this, I'm learning how to. deal with better at every time i've unfortunately experienced it um and i've done the version that is aggression, and I've done the version. that makes everybody else. not want to work with you or affects your your livelihood. um and And each... of those moments I've learned Huh, what if I navigate in this way? What if I deal with this? from from this perspective uh and the next time and i think that where i've we have landed so far. And I'm not saying this is perfect, but it's much easier to. Um, It's much easier to deal with issues like this if you don't let your emotions. become a part of the situation. So literally, so I tried my best to separate myself from like, this is how I feel about the incident. This is the internet. It's not about my feelings. It's not about my... income or reality, but this is the the issue. Me taking out of it. taken out of it well i could gain or lose from it take it Take that out of it and just think about what... and how I feel like this should be done. and the best way to do that. And I really do. You know, you know I have friends and a really good therapist and I have somebody to talk to when things, you know. are bothering me and my brain. So in my work, I try to separate it a little bit from my feelings. So like here are the facts. This is happening. We have enough data to say. This is a reality. How do we deal with this? No feelings attached. you know And then I got my friends I can go to and be like, girl, really? Do you believe? You know?

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah.

Honey Davenport

I have that. That exists. you know But in in the real work, in the real process of it, I try to separate myself from it.

Shane Lukas

I appreciate you sharing that because I think that's really powerful. And and I know. We don't have time to dig into it too much on this, but we do hope you'll you'll come back and talk more about it. Because I would love to hear about that genesis in your own experience. Because I think for young people, it's nice to hear where that resolve comes from, that ability to think about what I'm feeling and then how I respond to the world and how I go through that process, especially because activists burn out. oftentimes from that courage, right? Like it's that response.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

And then like, you you have all this fire and you're like, I have fire. And then you set everybody else on fire and they're like, we're all on fire. And then like, eventually you all burn out.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

So I love. that what you're saying there because you're like hey i have these real feelings I also need to think about what am I what am i doing and what is the long-term impact it's going to have for me to express and deal with that. So that's, again, really powerful, really constructive, and I'd love to dig into that more. but I know we have a little bit amount of time with you today, so I'm going to take, I really want to dig into this. So we're going to, I'm going to pivot a little bit because I want to talk about International Mr.

Honey Davenport

Okay.

Shane Lukas

Leather. Not, not just because I appreciate you and your leathers because they were, you know, I appreciate you on Drag Race, but you're looking good in your leathers too. So we appreciate that.

Honey Davenport

Thank you baby, thank you.

Shane Lukas

Uh,

Kenyon Farrow

I mean, and the the leather for the car, I just want to say, was like so fucking lit. Like the... like what you wore to the Yeah. did the Man, when you won, I was just like crazy.

Honey Davenport

Thank you. Thank you.

Kenyon Farrow

This is one. Good hair, Shane.

Shane Lukas

Because I think there's so many things about it that are so interesting because obviously, you know, what we it's it's in some ways obvious right you mentioned it earlier you talked about you know mother roo talking about like you know everything you know you're born and then everything else is drag right so and and i love um and i've heard you say in prior interviews really talking about leather community's own history with drag that you know the the hanky code which is kind of a for those not familiar with it um in leather communities there is sort of

Honey Davenport

Mm hmm. Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

different colored hankies that you could wear to signal and signify behaviors or or ways you want to engage in pleasure or dynamics you want to have within that. And drag was part of that. Like drag was part of that too. And so that feels like the alienation of the two, right, is shouldn't even be there because they've always been in some ways related.

Honey Davenport

ever

Shane Lukas

And I'd love to, I guess, to hear, because for people who may not understand the other community beyond the stereotypes. what does the community actually... mean to you when you think about the leather community can you express that you've shared a little bit about your drag journey what does the leather community mean to you and then What does participating in IML mean?

Honey Davenport

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

mean What do you think that means to you as someone who has sort of cut their teeth? in in sort of public sphere in the drag space in that sort of performative space Can you share a little bit about that? with folks.

Honey Davenport

Absolutely, absolutely. so I mean... I... I always, I mean, I say, I said it in my speech when I went to IML. you know Drag gave me a mirror to see myself. which allowed me to create the person in the space. The drag gave me the... um the permission to create myself as I want it. And leather. gave me the roadmap to fight my tribe. to um hone that, validate that, strengthen that, support me in that. Because it's one thing to want to move throughout the world in a way. and We all need to pour in that move. so um that that That's kind of what the leather community has been to me personally, not just is it a force. um in the queer world, and especially in the city where I live in, you know, I'm a part of Palm s Springs Leather Order of the Desert, and the the The men and couple of women... who are a part of our club. You know, they work. tirelessly for absolutely nothing just to cultivate space for education and philanthropy um and sex and play and like you know they they they they They dedicate their lives to it. um So that that's like what ah entering into the leather community. Uh... meant to me. and Just like drag. gave me the space to create. Um, outwardly physically ah uh, my gender identity were all ah helped to be defined by that beautiful art form. Things like my um what I give back. how I am of service. um How... How I move. ah through spaces with others and treat others with respect and how I treat traditions with respect and also allow space for traditions to grow. Like all those things are key parts of who I am as a person and leather gave those things to me. So they both. played a uh instrumental, pivotal part in creating who I am today.

Shane Lukas

beautiful

Kenyon Farrow

It's great.

Honey Davenport

Thank you.

Kenyon Farrow

So we have to take another break. However, Honey Davenport is still with us. And somehow, after everything we've already sort of talked about and hinted at.

Honey Davenport

Mhm.

Kenyon Farrow

We about to make this conversation a little bit spicier than it has been so far.

Honey Davenport

o I like to get spicy.

Kenyon Farrow

So. Okay, so good.

Honey Davenport

Yeah.

Kenyon Farrow

I'm glad you're ready. So when we come back, we'll be having more ah Power Beyond Pride with our infamous speed round with Honey Davenport. We'll be right back.

Honey Davenport

Loves it.

Ian

I hope honey's ooh. Comes through the recording.

Shane Lukas

Welcome back to Power Beyond Pride. I'm Shane Lukas. I'm here with my ah phenomenal co-host, Kenyon Farrow. And um if you've not been listening to this episode... What are you listening to? And stop right now and pay more attention to this because we are spending time with the amazing Honey Davenport. And this is the most important thing in your world. Let's be honest. Okay. If you have been listening to this entire episode and haven't already fallen in love with the Honey Davenport that we have met, the Honey Davenport making chicken, the Honey Davenport cascading and making entrants through airports. I generally don't know what else you need from us. So we've talked about leather, drag, activism, music, and creativity.

Honey Davenport

you

Shane Lukas

Honey, are you having a good time?

Honey Davenport

I'm having a blast. And I just wish, the only thing that I wish is that y 'all were here to smell. this You know, the smell with the rock is cooking.

Kenyon Farrow

That's it.

Shane Lukas

I mean... If you're inviting us to that table, you know, at some point.

Kenyon Farrow

Holla! right

Shane Lukas

we

Kenyon Farrow

and i'm not that far i will i will be down in palm springs in town before the end of the year so

Honey Davenport

Okay, well, come on through. I always say the best food in this city is right here in this kitchen.

Kenyon Farrow

of father

Honey Davenport

so

Kenyon Farrow

I'll bet.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm

Shane Lukas

i'm i'm on i'm on board now it's going to take me a little bit longer to get there but i will get there

Honey Davenport

Mm hmm.

Shane Lukas

I will get that. um So before we go into our speed round, I feel like we got to talk about joy. We talked about a lot of heavy things, and I think we need to talk about joy. And in some ways, your space of performance has been provocative. It provokes feelings in a lot of different directions. And for many queer change makers, that's just the way it goes. That's the way that's way it it is. Is that central to your joint fulfillment? Do you find the provocation? part of what brings you the joy because you are bringing people new experiences. At the same time, you're also challenging those experiences. like If not, what is bringing you joy in your work?

Honey Davenport

I mean... Well... the The thing that brings me the most joy... is peace of mind. right and once you know once you find peace of mind that becomes your entire life's fight Like that becomes that nothing else. And you look at any of your action and you're really fighting just for peace of mind. that Maintain that space. Um, And so so many things bring me peace of mind. That's ah expiration of my sexual limits and boundaries. That's knowing that I am safe, that my community is safe. So. uh those are the things that bring me uh real joy uh and then you know since i'm talking about you know sexual exploration and that is definitely something high on the list it brings me joy um there is just Um... Uh... sense of um elevated vibration that I have. when I have a um amazing scene as a player. um My Life feels like it is. directed into a more positive way sometimes. And I know that given my so giving my giving myself permission to explore that. Changed. the way I move in other spaces. that are not sexual, you know, giving myself the ability to liberate sexually also opened my mind. to where I could be more whole and authentic and explore more possibilities. in my vanilla life. um And, you know, ah so so so that is. all around and just created so much joy for me.

Shane Lukas

Do you feel like you get pushback from the culture at large sometimes in talking about pleasure? i i feel like that we don't talk about pleasure queer pleasure and queer liberation very much

Honey Davenport

Mm hmm.

Shane Lukas

Do you feel like sometimes you're like, hey. remember like this is supposed to be joyful like when we like This is part of part of our liberation.

Honey Davenport

Yeah, you know, I... I feel like that is a thing that... the culture can push back on for sure but when i look at my life personally Um. the pushback more so comes from the inside. The call comes from the inside more often than from the out. Um, When you give yourself permission... to walk through life you set the tone for your experience other people just listen to your vibration And most of the times. If they're saying something about you or having conversations about you, That's their conversation to have. And it really won't affect you if you're living authentically and standing in. like on business and who you are. Um, So... I would say most of the times that you know I've experienced pushback. If I sit and really think it. It was coming from in here. It was coming from me trying to make meaning. of what this experience is instead of experiencing it.

Shane Lukas

That's beautiful. Thank you.

Kenyon Farrow

You got the you start a speed round.

Honey Davenport

Okay. We're about to start this feed now, let's go.

Shane Lukas

oh I'm starting the speed round. I'm sorry.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

It's my job. though Actually, honey, you're starting the speed round. You're now the host of your own speed round. That's what we've got right now. I this is well.

Honey Davenport

Oh wait. Before we start the speedrun...

Shane Lukas

i was so caught I was so caught in the moment of these vibrations is what it was.

Honey Davenport

ah Before we start.

Shane Lukas

Happy New Year.

Kenyon Farrow

No, I should have just... No, go ahead.

Honey Davenport

Amen. Before we start the speed round, I will just... I'm just gonna... Press pause on this chicken.

Kenyon Farrow

Sure.

Honey Davenport

Just because I don't want to overdo it. And it's got like two minutes on the timer.

Shane Lukas

No, we do not want chart chicken.

Honey Davenport

No, no, no, no.

Kenyon Farrow

Oh, you got it.

Honey Davenport

no all All right. All right. I just want to pause it.

Kenyon Farrow

are

Honey Davenport

okay

Shane Lukas

This is where we have hold music and the hold music.

Kenyon Farrow

ha ha ha

Shane Lukas

is like is like is like airport music or like airport music or imagine honey running through the airport in uh sweatpants

Kenyon Farrow

on

Shane Lukas

And. I don't know. don How does one make an ent entrance through? the the the security i feel like i want to do that i'm i'm traveling sometime soon so i i need to i need to work on my i need to work on what that feels like what that looks like is that

Kenyon Farrow

There's ah there's a a gif of... Prince, he's not walking in an airport, but he's like walking, I think kind of like a, it looks like a kind of a tunnel going to the stage for, actually there's a couple of them. But there's one that I'm thinking about where like, I mean, his hair is just so it's just it's just just going in the wind. It's just like he's just like getting all the things. It's like what I want to look like when I'm walking. Ha ha.

Shane Lukas

We're going to get you a wig just for that purpose.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah. I'm going to find it and text it to you.

Shane Lukas

us

Kenyon Farrow

like do

Shane Lukas

Just for that purpose. I want you somewhere at some point in your life. You need to do some guy we need to we need to somehow so honey here we've we've made an agreement and jared you can edit this or not or honestly Listeners, you can enjoy this with us.

Honey Davenport

Okay.

Shane Lukas

We are we are we are fantasizing. We are thinking about Kenyon with a wig running through. an airport. Wind going through their hair, just kind of going through and and in in an homage to Prince in a gif that I've not seen, but can only imagine that the great. Cyanid 1.

Kenyon Farrow

kind

Shane Lukas

would have done in his in and in his era. so

Honey Davenport

I thought I pressed off on this thing.

Shane Lukas

i'm here for it oh Our chicken is done.

Honey Davenport

Oh, gosh.

Kenyon Farrow

Is that right?

Honey Davenport

I turned the oven off and not the timer. Heh heh heh.

Kenyon Farrow

Oh, you're right.

Honey Davenport

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

All right. So now now we can carry on with this. And and again, we are we are glad because we want you to be fed. We need you to be sated. And you can take that however it is you want to take that.

Honey Davenport

Thank you.

Shane Lukas

or

Honey Davenport

Well...

Shane Lukas

however you will take it.

Honey Davenport

I am having...

Shane Lukas

as you go.

Honey Davenport

I'm having... dinner with a pretty popular boot black in town lame pup kobo and a friend who's visiting from canada who's the current running uh Bear Canada. um named below so like who knows where this dinner party is gonna go

Kenyon Farrow

What might happen? Hello.

Honey Davenport

With my hand.

Shane Lukas

Well speaking of getting filled up on delicious entrees.

Honey Davenport

a

Shane Lukas

We're going to fill our listeners with the sounds of your um speed round answers. so

Honey Davenport

Come on, a rapid response.

Kenyon Farrow

i

Shane Lukas

Let's do it. Okay, time for a speed round where we get to know you even better. This is where we ask you some questions, but you don't have to overthink your response. Just give us the first answer that comes to your mind. Are you ready?

Honey Davenport

mm-hmm

Kenyon Farrow

All right, first question. What's the sexiest thing someone can whisper in your ear?

Honey Davenport

I'm ready.

Shane Lukas

oh That's a very size nine dance classic too. I think we got to bring that. I am ready.

Honey Davenport

Hehe.

Shane Lukas

we're gonna have to do that there we go right there Leather, lace, latex, or absolutely nothing.

Honey Davenport

Leather. 1 ,000%.

Kenyon Farrow

All right.

Honey Davenport

To me, it's not even like...

Kenyon Farrow

yes

Honey Davenport

gear until i play in it like it's a look until until this play that happened in it. And, you know. With the exception of my pop-up jacket, I don't own any leather I haven't played in. And there's still you know time for that. yeah

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah, yeah, right, right. That's too right.

Shane Lukas

Sounds like dinner's on.

Kenyon Farrow

ah Right.

Honey Davenport

and

Kenyon Farrow

So... um What's your biggest turn on that has nothing to do with looks?

Honey Davenport

My biggest turn on there has nothing to do. It looks to obviously be sent then. ah the smell. of a human. Like, I don't need you to smell like... and or get or baby powder, but just the smell of a bathed. but also sweaty. a Human.

Shane Lukas

what's the What's the limit on that? Is there like ah is there like ah like a little, like a one to 10, do you kind of gauge and be like? these pits are definitely a seven or like these pits are like a two.

Honey Davenport

I want to say that normally there's not been too much that's been over my limit for it. I like the smell of a...

Shane Lukas

Okay.

Honey Davenport

Have a... lived body you know like you're like you've been doing some things maybe you took a shower bit but then you went to the gym um so i you know i i and i and especially like ah i like a musk You know? um But. there is my the only time i've ever seen a limit is that was once at a party that was a based specifically on people who have a smell kink and there were a few people who i'm like oh you like tried.

Shane Lukas

Okay.

Honey Davenport

Like, I don't want you to have tried. I want you to have existed. And that's, yeah you know.

Shane Lukas

I get it. Yeah, no, I think that makes sense.

Honey Davenport

existed without care, but not tried to smell. You know.

Shane Lukas

like natural like a natural scent like a natural like i like my exes would keep my shirts after i danced on the dance floor for like three hours they would just keep the shirts for like three days and then wash them and bring it back and be like do it again

Kenyon Farrow

christ

Honey Davenport

Yeah. Mm-hmm Yeah. Mm hmm.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah

Shane Lukas

like like that. Um,

Honey Davenport

That's us.

Shane Lukas

It's okay.

Honey Davenport

That's us. Yeah. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Speaking of dance floors, you've got a new single, Come to Daddy.

Honey Davenport

Uh huh.

Shane Lukas

So there's that. So first of all, the title alone has already caused me to have questions. So lots ah lots of interesting things there.

Honey Davenport

Mhm.

Shane Lukas

And well, aside from that jam, what's your second favorite Dirty song?

Honey Davenport

Aside from that jam, my second favorite Dirty song um You know... uh would be... ah Donna Summer. I feel love.

Kenyon Farrow

So long.

Honey Davenport

Um... it was a song Did not. only is sexy but you know in a time when it was created people actually waited until it was going to come on for 17 minutes of pleasure to that song. Like how great to create something that people fuck to. Like, who don't want to do make a song that people like? ah I'm going to wait. I'll be right in the room as soon as Donna Summer starts playing. Like, what? What? that Like, that is. life goals. Life goals.

Kenyon Farrow

ha

Shane Lukas

so So what was it like with your second song? like What was it like recording your... It's the second, right? It's your second single?

Honey Davenport

Oh, so no, this is not my second, just my second single. I've recorded. so much music you know my my drag and my music have always gone hand in hand I've been writing music since I was...

Shane Lukas

Okay. Hmm.

Honey Davenport

A child. uh like maybe 13 years old when i wrote my first song um and I started recording my own music. when I started doing drag. um My like drag entrance to the world, my drag persona. had their own song. Like, that was how I started. You know, I've been touring around the world with Peppermint on her hardcore glamour tour, where she was, you know, performing all of her own music and my version of drag, you know, and I've been, I'm in all of the... sherry vine music video parodies as a 21 year old blonde No. Twink. um ah And. you know if For me, that was a part of drag. It was like, oh, and you create music. Like, why would I just perform other people's? um So I released, I think. nine singles when while on drag race since drag race i've gone on to release eps and had a uh plethora of artists featured from in my work from Manila to Caswell. LaLaurie, Tammy Brown, Jackie Cox, um ah Kevin Avians. i've worked with a whole a bunch of other queer artists chase vegas my My... child chase vegas and i have created so many things together and my child kareem mcjagger as well. um And so so many others. ah ah That I've gotten to create with so this isn't my first single. What is our second single? What is unique about come to daddy though? um it It is the first one that I performed out of drag because I started my recording artist career. alongside my drive career and when ah when we started recording come to daddy i said and thought i was like Oh, did I just write a song to perform out of drag? That's crazy. I've never done that before. ah

Shane Lukas

doesn't mean an album doesn't mean a new album's on the way

Honey Davenport

Um, i would very much like to uh i'm working with a really cool label called sweet records uh and you know with some friends of mine who i've been creating music with for over a decade we um our first song that we ever released together was called trouble and it came out in 2015 so it's you know. It's 11 years old now. um and ah so and they've started their own label and um so i i could foresee an album in the future i do know that the calls were made and there will be more music coming out in my title year. So I can definitely guarantee more music.

Shane Lukas

Yes, that's awesome.

Kenyon Farrow

Nice.

Honey Davenport

I just don't know how much of it, because the schedule is crazy. yeah

Shane Lukas

i love it thank you

Kenyon Farrow

um What's one thing that you find ridiculously attractive that... people may not understand or is like, maybe a little unconventional.

Honey Davenport

Ooh, see... There's something beautiful about like anything can be done beautifully like anybody any like it it works on some people it doesn't work on others like anything can kind of be done but one thing and and i like extremes so like i like shirt, guys. I love... Ciao guys! um and uh like But... big guys, small guys, but there is something special about. a nice tummy to rub on Like a nice belly. i like a belly and not everybody always thinks that's conventionally attractive and Even though I won a six pack personally, I prefer a man with something I can. Hold on to you.

Shane Lukas

I mean... The beef? Yes, bring it.

Honey Davenport

The wave.

Shane Lukas

Thank you for the week. Bring it. I think that's good for those of us who are stocky little selves. I think that's awesome.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

Thank you for raising the belly. There's actually belly rub culture, which I think is great.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

There's a whole belly rub parties that are going on now.

Honey Davenport

and

Shane Lukas

So I think that there's a rise of the belly.

Honey Davenport

Love. Mm hmm.

Shane Lukas

ah So. Uh... What is one thing affecting LGBTQ plus people right now that you wish more people were paying attention to?

Honey Davenport

um One thing affecting us right now that I wish more people were paying attention to. Um... Dare I say? politics um and i know it seems like people are paying attention to it but i don't think that people are paying attention to actual politics people are paying attention to headlines and i think that's dangerous um and so like I wish that more people.

Kenyon Farrow

oh

Honey Davenport

were actually actively researching. What is going on? how Their lives are being affected. uh these rooms that are elected officials, and I say elected with air quotes around them, these decisions that are being made, I think so many people are unaware of how some of these changes will affect us.

Shane Lukas

100%.

Kenyon Farrow

Indeed. What's the hottest thing a person can wear?

Honey Davenport

The hottest thing a person could wear. is leather chaps. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

ah jo with or without with or without jock

Honey Davenport

I mean, that's depending on the vibe. Are we going to win it?

Kenyon Farrow

Right.

Honey Davenport

Are we going to dinner or are you dinner?

Shane Lukas

There you go.

Honey Davenport

and i

Kenyon Farrow

What is this? Yeah right.

Honey Davenport

Maybe. Right.

Shane Lukas

On that note, cake or frosting?

Honey Davenport

Ooh, cake or frosting. It would be... Kind of hard to eat a cake with no frosting, so I'm gonna go with frosting.

Shane Lukas

It's called a brownie, I suppose technically.

Kenyon Farrow

i

Honey Davenport

Oh, that's a brownie, huh? No, but sometimes brownies got that moist chocolate.

Kenyon Farrow

O 'Brien is a different, yeah.

Shane Lukas

That's true.

Honey Davenport

All right.

Shane Lukas

It's like a little heavier. I don't know. Like what what's a cake without it? Yeah. What is a cake without frosting? I guess it was like, some people prefer a lot more cake than they want the frosting. Some people just eat the frosting.

Honey Davenport

Not just with the front scene to be right. there's some There's some kind of frosting that's just like, this is whipped sugar. And then there's frosting that's like. This got flavor. This got, you know. personality. That.

Shane Lukas

ah A lime buttercream.

Honey Davenport

Mmm.

Kenyon Farrow

right um So stand up. cabaret or full-on Broadway production. If you had to pick one of the three that you would... wanna be involved in or participate in, which one?

Honey Davenport

so At this point in my career, I would say... broadway i've done lots of regional musical theater um i have uh done Lots. i've done ah I've done. national tours and international tours. And I've done quite a bit of cabaret. I'm actually currently touring my my own cabaret show called Made Like You. um and uh It's touring right now that in California. We're playing San Diego, Palm Springs and San Francisco. Um, uh with so many more dates to be announced uh but that I haven't yet. gotten to feel the uh energy exchange of an actual Broadway audience. And I've always told myself that it's not an if this will happen for me, it's a when it's right. when it will happen for me. So right now. The thing that I would want more than anything is a nice. a nice Broadway contract. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

And when it happens, I say it put you between Patti LuPone and Vanessa Williams and we'll get a shot.

Honey Davenport

Done.

Kenyon Farrow

Oh my god.

Shane Lukas

going great.

Kenyon Farrow

Yes.

Shane Lukas

right right there

Honey Davenport

done in the Priscilla Queen of the Desert revival.

Shane Lukas

Um,

Kenyon Farrow

Oh my God. Yes. Yes.

Honey Davenport

I thought you...

Shane Lukas

I think i think if you if the agents are hearing this, now they know.

Honey Davenport

Then please put your earplugs in.

Shane Lukas

Um, Finish this sentence. Especially appropriate with your chicken dinner. I'm going to ruin my life tonight. if i ruin If I'm going to ruin my life tonight, it better be because... blank.

Honey Davenport

If I'm going to ruin my life tonight, It better be. because... All of the weed in the dispensary is 50 % off. yeah

Kenyon Farrow

a

Shane Lukas

ah

Honey Davenport

That's it.

Kenyon Farrow

All right.

Honey Davenport

I'm just gonna go for it. hey

Shane Lukas

There we go. There we go.

Honey Davenport

<unk> yeah

Kenyon Farrow

and And last question is, what does power beyond pride mean to you?

Honey Davenport

um Yeah, what does Power Brown Pride mean to me? You know, I remember the first times ah that I ever got to attend, like, a Pride celebration, especially, like, a Pride in New York City. And, like... how powerful that felt how how um Next level, it felt too... Have space in a world that not only I got to exist authentically, but was celebrating me for my existence I remember one pride everywhere I turned. there was a rainbow flag everywhere i turned there was a celebration of something that there was a part of my life i tried to pray away i tried to wish away i tried to cut out of myself and there wasn't all of a sudden i'm in a space that not only sees me and encourages me to be myself but celebrates me and power beyond pride to me um It means carrying that same energy, that same... pride. into your everyday life, not just when they've given us space on a street to march on, not just when they've given us space and the club to dance together but in our everyday walk how we you know can completely live authentically but Also, remember that really important thing, which is that I saw affirmation everywhere I would turn. How do we affirm each other? That's what Power Beyond Pride means to me.

Shane Lukas

that's beautiful That's so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing that, honey. and And before we wrap up, I want to take a moment to thank you because, it you know, again, we appreciate the time.

Honey Davenport

Thank you

Shane Lukas

the energy, your creativity, all the things that you brought in, you know, your your honesty, your laughter, the the life that you share. As somebody who values authenticity a lot, I think you are a model of what that means. And you know you've talked a little bit about making sure you have those internal boundaries and being able to reclaim that joy, create that space. have those chicken dinners, do all the things. But you know what you're bringing out and what you're sharing with people and community, people see it. And it's a way of seeing the world. that's just so it It gives a vision of what's possible. And you're really bringing ideas and joy. And and and that just means a great deal. So um you didn't just sit with us today. You shared your journey, your truth, and your artistry in ways that remind us why representation, visibility, and authenticity You know, they matter so deeply.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Shane Lukas

so Thank you so much for being here today.

Honey Davenport

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for having me and I'm excited because I got some uh chicken baked macaroni and cheese and collard greens to go to after this Podcast.

Shane Lukas

Well, that sounds delicious.

Kenyon Farrow

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Now, while we can't join you for dinner. We are out of time for the podcast, and we would love for you to join us again.

Honey Davenport

Mm hmm.

Shane Lukas

We'd love to have you back. But in the meantime, where can people follow you and your work, even if they can't join you at your table right now?

Honey Davenport

Yeah. So I'm Honey Davenport Official on both Facebook and Instagram, where I kind of... always am. sharing my experiences through photos. statuses, updates, and everything. So those are great places to follow me. Um, also on YouTube, honey, that important official, um, and, uh, on OnlyFans, JustForFans. Blue Sky, and... ah all the other sites, you can find my adult work ah at honey underscore Davenport. Where you can see under my clothes Yeah. Yeah.

Kenyon Farrow

Sounds amazing. so Today's conversation was a reminder that queer excellence is not just about performance, ah but it's also about purpose, resilience, and heart.

Honey Davenport

Mm-hmm.

Kenyon Farrow

So thank you again for coming onto the show and for speaking with us and pouring into our community the way that you always do. And with that, I'm your co-host, Kenyon Farrow. And you can find me. uh at all of the things at at kenyan pharaoh just my name it's very boring now if you want the if you want the other ones you might have to dm me four.

Honey Davenport

Heh heh heh.

Kenyon Farrow

but we'll leave it at that.

Shane Lukas

Okay. Well, there's... ah that is ah Those DMs are going to be very busy. And don't forget, everybody, take up space, laugh loudly, love deeply, protect your peace, tell your story, and don't let anyone convince you that your existence is up for debate. you are worthy. I am your co-host, Shane Lukas. I'm so grateful to be here with both of you today. I am a harm reduction and activist. As I said before, a little short stack of ginger with a side of daddy. And you can find me on all the social channels. ah You can go to shanelucas .com to get those. You can also reach me at agreatidea .com. And on the social channels, I don't know, whatever, DM me. I don't i don't have an OnlyFans or a JustForFans anymore, but you can check out my first TED Talk where I talk about sex work. You can talk about that. that one uh other than that remember to subscribe and get your friends to subscribe to Power Beyond Pride wherever you get your podcasts and check out our site at powerbeyondpride .com.

Honey Davenport

Yay! yay

Kenyon Farrow

Couple more things. Power Beyond Pride is a project from A Great Idea, a queer-owned design and content agency. Learn more about them at agreatidea .com.

Shane Lukas

This episode is produced by Shane Lukas. That'd be me. Mattie Bynum is the project developer. Hi Mattie. Our editor is Jarrett Redding. Hi Jarrett. And support from Ian Wilson. Hey Ian.

Kenyon Farrow

oh We are both a part of this podcast. Awesome host team. And we invite you to send in your questions and comments at PowerBeyondPride .com.

Shane Lukas

Check out our new episodes each week, and we look forward to queer changemaking with you. next time. So thank you from all of us at Power Beyond Pride.

Transcribed automatically and lightly checked. If something is wrong — a name especially — tell us and we will fix it.