Joan Jett Blakk
Encyclopedia
Joan Jett Blakk is the drag
persona of performer Terence Smith. Smith is an African-American actor, writer and political candidate. Blakk first garnered a measure of national attention when he ran for President of the United States
in 1992.
Calling himself a blend of Divine
, David Bowie
and Grace Jones
, Smith began performing in 1974.
In 1991, Smith, as Blakk, ran against Richard M. Daley
for the office of mayor
of Chicago, Illinois. The campaign was chronicled in the 1991 video Drag in for Votes. Smith's next campaign was for the presidency in 1992, under the slogan "Lick Bush in '92!" and documented in the 1993 video of the same name. Smith also ran for president in 1996 with the slogan "Lick Slick Willie
in '96!" In each of these campaigns Smith ran on the Queer Nation Party ticket.
Following the 1992 campaign, Smith relocated to San Francisco, California
and joined the African-American stage comedy troupe Pomo Afro Homos
. He launched his talk show, Late Nite with Joan Jett Blakk.
In 1999, Smith, again as Blakk, announced his intention to run for mayor of San Francisco against incumbent Willie Brown.
Drag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
persona of performer Terence Smith. Smith is an African-American actor, writer and political candidate. Blakk first garnered a measure of national attention when he ran for President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
in 1992.
Calling himself a blend of Divine
Divine (Glen Milstead)
Divine , born Harris Glenn Milstead, was an American actor, singer and drag queen. Described by People magazine as the "Drag Queen of the Century", Divine often performed female roles in both cinema and theater and also appeared in women's clothing in musical performances...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
, Smith began performing in 1974.
In 1991, Smith, as Blakk, ran against Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
for the office of mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Chicago, Illinois. The campaign was chronicled in the 1991 video Drag in for Votes. Smith's next campaign was for the presidency in 1992, under the slogan "Lick Bush in '92!" and documented in the 1993 video of the same name. Smith also ran for president in 1996 with the slogan "Lick Slick Willie
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
in '96!" In each of these campaigns Smith ran on the Queer Nation Party ticket.
Following the 1992 campaign, Smith relocated to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
and joined the African-American stage comedy troupe Pomo Afro Homos
Pomo Afro Homos
Pomo Afro Homos , short for postmodern African American homosexuals, was an African-American gay theater troupe founded in San Francisco by choreographer-dancer Djola Bernard Branner, actor Brian Freeman, and singer, dancer, and actor Eric Gupton. Later, Marvin K. White joined the group. They...
. He launched his talk show, Late Nite with Joan Jett Blakk.
In 1999, Smith, again as Blakk, announced his intention to run for mayor of San Francisco against incumbent Willie Brown.