Diversity in Drag: Ray DeForest on the Doris Dear Experience

In this heartfelt episode of the Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics™ podcast, host Dian Griesel (also known as Silver Disobedience) interviews the colorful and inspiring Ray DeForest, best known for his drag persona, Doris Dear. Ray shares the highs and lows of his life, including his recent health difficulties with prostate cancer, his deeply rooted love for his family, and the challenging but rewarding journey of creating and sustaining his drag performances. The episode dives into topics of diversity, authenticity, and the complicated dynamics of life and career in the arts. Ray's story is one of resilience, joy, and the pursuit of authenticity. More about Ray can be found here: https://dorisdear.com

Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my million+ monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: https://diangriesel.com

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But for starters…I am a perception analyst, hypnotherapist, author of 16 books and a Wilhelmina model. For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally.

This episode was recorded in collaboration with The Manhattan Center, New York City, New York.

https://www.themanhattancenter.com/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement00:40 Ray's Cancer Journey02:04 From Ray to Doris Deer05:25 Creating Doris Deer's Girl Talk08:50 The Joy of Performing as Doris17:33 Corporate Speaking and Diversity19:47 Challenges in Diversity and Inclusion27:06 Understanding Hormone Depletion and Muscle Strength29:22 Respect and Pronouns: A Discussion on Trans and Gay Communities30:31 The Insistence of Acceptance and Personal Identity33:44 AI and Its Impact on the Entertainment Industry34:17 Union Strikes and AI Protections41:47 Mentorship and Career in the Arts48:46 Finding Joy and Acceptance in Life50:43 Conclusion and Farewell