By Kevin Ferrisi –

Meet Felicity V. Lay. Felicity has been doing drag for two and a half years, having started on April 14, 2022. The exact date stood out because it was two days after her birthday. That day, she took to the Open Stage at the Chez Est, a decision sparked by a text exchange with friend now drag grandmother, Mia E. Z’Lay, a month prior. Mia had sent her a link, encouraging her to give it a try on that specific day. The moment she stepped onto that stage, her journey in drag began, and the rest was history.

In her nearly three years of doing drag, she learned invaluable lessons that profoundly shaped her as a person. Drag taught Felicity to open her heart and be more accepting, a stark contrast to her more reserved childhood self. It exposed her to diverse walks of life and deepened her understanding of the queer community. This experience not only helped her discover her own identity but also equipped her with the knowledge to educate others, both younger and older, who might not understand drag or the queer community. Her role in Enfield Pride, where Felicity holds a hosting position, allowed her to be a pillar of support and education for her town and community.

She became a prominent figure in Enfield Pride through her partnership with Greg Gray, the pastor at Enfield Community Church. Their collaboration began when her community theater friends, aware of her drag performances, connected her with Greg. They shared a vision to support Enfield’s broad yet underserved queer community by creating visible, welcoming spaces. Initially, their Pride event was a modest June vendor fair with only two drag performers. Recognizing the need for growth, Felicity and Greg moved the event to the church, expanding its scope. Despite some misconceptions, she emphasized that the church and Pride event are separate entities collaborating to simply provide a safe space for the celebration, making it a fitting and inclusive venue. Her efforts, along with Greg’s, transformed Enfield Pride into a significant community event, fostering visibility and support for the queer community in their town.

Enfield Pride faced significant opposition in the town, revealing a divide between those supportive of the celebration and those strongly against it. Despite backlash, such as the cancellation of their Drag Story Hour and the refusal to fly the Pride flag at Town Hall, Felicity and Greg, alongside the Enfield Pride team, were committed. They refused to back down, determined to continue organizing events and celebrations that provided joy and a sense of safety for the queer community in Enfield. Their commitment to resilience and inclusivity stood strong against attempts to undermine or suppress their efforts. Enfield Pride had to cancel their Drag Story Hour at the Enfield Public Library earlier this year, following threats of violence circulating online. This setback came after the Enfield Town Council’s decision to ban the display of the Pride flag on the town hall building, which sparked outrage in the queer community. The Drag Story Hour was eventually rescheduled and relocated to a safe location.

Felicity has always been a performer, starting with dance classes and theater from the age of three. After turning eighteen, she found herself yearning for a regular performance outlet since she had outgrown her dance classes and there were limited opportunities in theater. The turning point came when she was ten and saw Kinky Boots with her mom; the outfits and rhinestones captivated her, sparking a desire to pursue drag. Inspired by that experience, she researched how to start in drag, and one day, she decided to put on a wig and dive into the art form. Two and a half years later, she is still passionately performing and loving every moment of it.

She came up with her drag name through a rather funny story involving her sister. Every year, they visited the American Girl doll store for her sister’s birthday until she turned eleven. Her sister’s first doll was Felicity, a doll she herself began playing with as a child. She loved the name Felicity and wanted to transform it into an adult, party-ready persona. She added “Vodka” to the name, envisioning an adult party vibe, making her original drag name “Felicity Vodka.” 

Later, when she was adopted into the House of Lay by Rory Roux Lay, she decided to keep the “V” for Vodka, symbolizing that a bit of her original inspiration was always present. This led to her current name, Felicity V. Lay.  With Rory as her drag mom and Mia as her drag grandma, her drag family tree expanded to include aunts like Ambrosia Black and Flaminia, and even an uncle, Perry Winkle and a cousin, Arya Black. Despite all these relationships, she cherished her role as the baby of the family, feeling the love and support from her drag relatives and sisters alike.

Felicity described her style of drag as a “Jack of all trades.” When she performs, she embraces everything from comedy to dancing, and considers herself somewhat alternative. Her acts often didn’t conform to traditional drag queen standards, which she believed embodied the true spirit of the drag community – doing what you want and not following any set path. This approach allowed her to perform in a variety of settings, from teen fantasy shows to the Toxic Competition last October. She loves to dance, wiggle, and, most importantly, have fun. Her goal was always to create a stress-free space where everyone could enjoy themselves and do their best, because, at the end of the day, it was all about enjoying the art of drag.

The catalyst for her drag journey stemmed from her deep admiration for Kinky Boots, a show she couldn’t stop talking about after her mom took her to see it. Tragically, her mom passed away a year and a half before she started doing drag, leaving behind plans they had for her career. Thinking of her mom motivated her to persevere in drag; she imagined her mom as her supportive manager, guiding her toward success and opening doors for new opportunities. This drive to create more space and support for drag entertainers, especially newcomers, echoed her mom’s wishes for her career. Despite the loss, she found strength and support in her dad, who became a pillar of strength and creativity, even learning to rhinestone outfits and offering unwavering support akin to what her mom would have provided. His dedication, from rhinestoning during Star Wars marathons to helping with photo shoots, showcased his commitment and love, making him one of the best dads and managers she could ever have wished for.

Reflecting on her achievements, Felicity V. Lay highlighted Enfield Pride as her greatest accomplishment, a project she and Greg built from the ground up with dedication and hard work. Creating a space and organizing events for Enfield Pride also stood out as a significant milestone in her drag career. She expressed deep gratitude for her drag family, the House of Lay, and especially for mentors like Rory and Mia who supported her every step of the way. Meeting and collaborating with people she admired since childhood was another rewarding aspect of her journey, transforming these connections into a cherished drag family. Looking ahead, Felicity V. Lay eagerly anticipates new goals and projects, hinting at upcoming endeavors and future aspirations to further contribute to and uplift the drag and queer communities.

Looking forward, Felicity V. Lay promises a future filled with bigger and better surprises, aiming to redefine expectations in drag performance. Embracing the motto of “expect the unexpected,” she sought to bring fresh and innovative experiences to her audience, reflecting her distinctive style and approach. While some performers adhered to set plans, she thrived on spontaneity and creativity, embodying the spirit of her drag persona. Her commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering memorable performances underscored her dedication to keeping audiences engaged and delighted with every show.