I’m good at managing expectations and preparing my children for disappointment. That being the case, I have spent the last year telling C.J. that no Halloween ever in the history of Halloweens will compare to the one he had last year. He has experienced his best Halloween. The end. Period. Adieu.
(photo creds: Bob The Drag Queen)
Last year I told the internets and social meeds that he was going to be Bob The Drag Queen for Halloween and, voila, Bob The Drag Queen surprised C.J. by knocking on the door just before sunset on October 31 and trick-or-treating through the streets of West Hollywood while holding C.J.’s hand.
That’s not real life.
Whoever or whatever you dress up as for Halloween does not care enough about you to want to fly across the country and spend the holiday with you. If so, I would have spent some of my Halloweens with Tina Turner, Gumby and Rainbow Brite.
We have been very open and honest with C.J. Then, the season nine finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race concluded and C.J. turned to me and said “this year I’m going to be Sasha Velour for Halloween and she’ll come trick-or-treating with me. Even though Bob will always be my favorite queen.”
“No! Remember. You’ve had your best Halloween. That’s not going to happen. That’s not real life,” I said.
“I remember,” he said sadly. Oh, he remembered all right. He just didn’t want to believe it.
A few weeks ago he finally realized there was validity to what I had been saying all year. God bless the hopefulness of youth.
He announced that he was going to be a dead drag queen for Halloween.
“How did she die?” I asked not expecting an answer.
“Well. (click of the tongue and eye roll) Gurl. (flick of the wrist) She was headlining at a BIG drag show and one of the other drag queens didn’t show up for her shift. (disgusted eye roll) So she had to work overtime and do extra numbers. When she got done with her show it was so late that she was too tired to drive her car home. And she didn’t want to take a taxi or uber. So she decided to walk home. She was crossing the street when — BAM! — she got run over by a car!”
“So what I hear you saying is you’ve thought of a backstory,” I said.
“Duh.”
After several attempts to find just the right dress he decided to wear one he got last Christmas. Then, he insisted that Matt run it over with our car.
His costume and backstory require that we get him completely done up and gorgeous in drag. And then make it look like he was run over. It’s a multi-step, multi-layer process. Because why wouldn’t it be? I mean, as much as I try to manage expectations and set the bar at a realistic height, it is C.J. we are talking about.
We did a dry run in preparation for Halloween. Here are some pics. Boo!
Raising My Rainbow 
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Oh CJ, I just love you! You’re a Goddess hunty!
This is so adorable and completely gorgeous I love this! Not only warms my heart but is super pleasing to look at! Rocked the Dead drag queen look!
Just too cute!!!
Awesome photos! And CJ, your hair is gorgeous!
I really really really hope that one day CJ decides to be a TV writer. Because it’s so (oddly) rare to find ones that are capable of such intricate backstory that’s necessary to create great characters and it sounds like he’s already got the skills! I look forward to developing with him one day if he chooses that route!
Them more I read the more I love him and his loving family doing “raising a child” right!
Lori: you and Matt are in thrall to a creative genius. Admit it!
CJ, you are a wonderful example of humanity. Keep up the good work!
CJ, you are a role model for fabulosity. Don’t ever stop being yourself, no matter what. I love you and I love your parents for being the supportive, loving people they are. You’re a very lucky person!
Love ❤️❤️❤️ I feel lucky to know about this fantastic person ☀️and look forward to CJ’s next adventure 🍀
CJ…You never cease to amaze me. Watching you grow up and be yourself every day of your life has what I call “role model” written all over it. If only, you could join forces with Lady Gaga and influence all the LGBT pre-teens and teens, to realize, everyone has worth and they need to be themselves, as you do. CJ…You will have a greater impact on your peers over the next few years, I feel, than you could ever imagine.
His imagination is maturing greatly.. With specificity..good signs.
The tire print is perfect!
That last photo!!! Look at his shining confidence.
WHAT is that lipstick and where do i get it????
I’m in love with this — and your and Matt’s dedication of driving over the dress 🙂 XOX HH
Who knew a dead drag queen could still look so pretty! xx
Reminds me a bit of the photographer Cindy Sherman. CJ’s creativity is boundless. And your support is awesome. I look forward to seeing his art for many years to come.
Love this!!! CJ is so awesome!
I love the posing while dead shot LOL