Jim bailey gay
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Bailey did not question his worthiness to God thanks to what he learned in that little Sunday School. When my play Jeffrey was first performed there, Jim was cast to play the central role of Sterling, an acerbic and great-hearted interior designer. He was rarely asked about his sexuality, although sometimes ignorant talk show hosts would find it necessary to assure the audience that Jim was “all man.” Through all of this, Jim maintained great dignity and commanded respect for his gifts.
In the mid-80s, Bailey's love for media and graphic arts resurfaced. He appeared on the first day of rehearsal in perfectly tailored black pants with a black cashmere turtleneck sweater and a second black cashmere sweater tossed over his shoulders. I think I would have exploded had I been in that audience.
There are many obituaries and articles online and in print that will mention that he performed for four U.S.
Presidents, performed for the British Royal Family twice, his Carnegie Hall concerts and his concerts at the London Palladium. They will also mention his numerous appearances on television shows (all pre-Ellen and pre-Modern Family, mind you). It was Bailey’s experience in advertising that laid the groundwork for the historic Second Stone publication.
It is difficult for many of us to remember a time when drag and/or the art of female impersonation wasn’t mainstream.
He always wore a decent amount of make-up, even on the street, and his hair was always immaculately colored and immobile. He became the divas he was portraying. He learned about being honest, not lying, stealing, or cheating, and he learned the certainty of God’s love for us. And without question, his impersonation of Judy Garland was in a class all by itself.
They will mention that he was a headlining act at all of the casinos in Las Vegas during its pre-Cirque du Soleil heyday. The play’s director, Chris Ashley, and I, first arranged to meet with Jim in a lounge at JFK, because he was touring. The sublime Peter Bartlett, who’d already played Sterling in New York, generously flew in and triumphed.
Jim was a fascinating man, and he’d battled many obstacles and slurs.
I’m grateful that he shared this talents with all of us, and grateful that we live in a time when all we have to do is Google his name so that we can watch him perform to our heart’s content.
Thank you, Jim. Thank you so very much.
Paul Rudnick
With so much focus on the amazing Caitlyn Jenner story, there’s been a lot of discussion involving gender identity and sexual preference and masculine and feminine presentation.
Amid all this, Jim Bailey has died, at age 77. However, as Bailey grew older, his desire for an intimate relationship pushed him to find a way to come out.
After attending Delgado College and Tulane University where he studied business administration, he served as an administrator for Catholic Charities of New Orleans at a residential treatment center for learning disabled/emotionally disturbed youth.
I’m sure I’m just one of hundreds – thousands – that he touched through his artistry.