Vicci laine

Vicci Laine (born May 28, 1960 in Tacoma, Washington) is the stage name of an American transsexual stage performer, singer, HIV/Aids fundraiser and activist. Her first stage name was "Betty Blow Back", which she later changed to Vicci Laine.

Biography

Laine was born Roger in Tacoma, Washington, as the oldest of 7 children, but grew up in and around Bedford, Indiana. As a child, she recalls honestly believing she was a girl until her mother started making her wear boy's clothing when she started school.<ref name="sth">http://www.stoppingthehate.com/</ref>

In 1978, Laine graduated high school from Bedford-North Lawrence High School and went to study business at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Vicci still struggling with fitting in, felt that a major university setting was not for her and dropped out to attend cosmetology school.

Career

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Laine started a career in female impersonation in 1980 at a nightclub called "Bullwinkles" in Bloomington, Indiana out of a need to pay the rent for her apartment. She states, "A lot came out of that one night, I won the contest, kept my apartment, I got to dress up as a woman, and PEOPLE APPLAUDED AND SCREAMED FOR ME!!!! What can I say? I was hooked the first time!"<ref name="sth"/>

While on cast at the widely known "21 Club" in Indianapolis, Indiana, she won several pageants in the Drag world her first being Miss Gay Bloomington 1985<ref>http://www.missgaymuncie.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=34</ref>,and her last being Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988<ref>http://www.missgayindianausofa.com/history.html</ref>

Laine was show director at "The Ten" nightclub in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1989 until November 2008. Laine chose to leave the Ten to head the cast at "Uncle Elizabeth's" in Bloomington, Indiana.<ref name="vl">http://www.viccilaine.com/</ref><ref>http://uncle-elizabeths.com/</ref>

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Laine has evolved into a well known "celebrity Impersonator" mimicking entertainment icons such as, "Cher", "Dolly Parton", and "Reba", Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford and several others.

Laine is currently a contributor to Stoppingthehate.com[1], as a columnist and co-host of Stopping the Hate Television.

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Fundraising

In 2007 Vicci noticed a lack of funding for HIV/AIDS Service Organizations and formed "Change4Change" to encourage people to donate money to ASO's (Aids Service Organizations) in their own communities.<ref name="vl"/><ref>http://www.myspace.com/change4change</ref><ref>http://www.wfhb.org/news/bout2</ref>

C4C" has been one of the top private contributors to HIV/Aids causes for the past two years. Because of Viccis' dedication, "C4C" and Vicci were recognized in 2008 with the Celia Busch Award. As stated by CAAG (Community Aids Action Group), "The Celia Busch award recognizes the hard work and commitment of a community member who works for the benefit those living with HIV and Aids." "One who consistently shows compassion, concern, empathy and commitment in the care of individuals and families, displaying superior interpersonal skills, and compassion in care." <ref>http://www.co.monroe.in.us/health/Documents/celiabuschawardfinal07.pdf </ref>

Sex Change

With the blessings of her family, in 1991 Vicci started her journey to begin her transition for Sex reassignment surgery. The surgery was completed in 1996 by surgeons in Montreal, Canada. Vicci has since been engaged to be married once, but continues to live her life as a single woman in her hometown.

Music

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Vicci is currently recording music with her first dance single "It's A Good Look" released March 26, 2009.<ref>http://www.emusic.com/</ref><ref>http://www.emusic.com</ref><ref>http://amiestreet.com/music/vicci-laine/</ref> She is also writing her first cook book, Vicci Laine's Wiener World due out soon.

Titles And Awards

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"Huron Grade School Mardi Gra King" - "Lawrence County 4-H Fair Disco Dance King 1978 & 1979" - "Miss Gay Bloomington 1985" -<ref>http://www.carriefairfield.com/community/index.php?showtopic=18548&mode=threaded</ref> "Miss Gay Southwest USofA 1986" - "Miss Gay Ohio Valley USofA 1986-1987" - "Miss Gay Indiana USofA 1988" -<ref>http://www.missgayindianausofa.com/history.html</ref>"Honorary Miss MCIT (Music City) 2006" - "Indianapolis' Favorite Drag Queen 2007" -<ref>http://myspace.com/iloveindydrag</ref> "Eternal Flame Award 2008" - "NUVO Magazine Top 3 Indianapolis Entertainers 2008" - "Celia Busch Award 2008" <ref>http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=64619887&albumID=50542&imageID=41716562</ref>

Career Timeline

1980-1986 Bullwinkles, Bloomington Indiana 1982-1985 Talbot Street Nightclub, Indianapolis Indiana 1985-1989 21 Club, Indianapolis Indiana <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YgGoLcV3vs</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d82IlGRNjzY</ref> 01/89-08/89 3535 West, 3535 West 16th St. Indianapolis Indiana <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2nb6grLa2s</ref> 01/89-11/08 The Ten, Indianapolis Indiana <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it_rohPUYQA</ref> 06/03-07 Club Caberet, Indianapolis Indiana 03/07-Present Unicorn Club, Indianapolis Indiana <ref>http://www.unicornclub.com/</ref> 06/08-Present Uncle Elizabeth's, Bloomington Indiana <ref>http://uncle-elizabeths.com</ref>

External links

• Vicci Laine Official Website
• Vicci Laine Official MySpace Page
• Vicci Laine Official Facebook Page
• Exclusive interview with Vicci Laine by Meghan Chavalier, founder of Stoppingthehate.com
• Uncle Elizabeths' Official Website