Today we’d like to introduce you to Violet Maldonado.
Hi Violet, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a drag superfan for years now, ever since the moment I met Shangela. I always admired the level of vulnerability it takes to bring the energy drag performers to do. It’s an art form that creates space for every kind of expression and allows people to embody themselves in a way that showcases who they are to the world.
Seeing drag healed me, and I think it has the power to heal so many people. That’s why I found it so important to start documenting the artistry that is in these spaces since a lot of drag artists give a lot but don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I actually was fired from my job on Valentine’s Day this year.
It was completely unforeseen since I’d been working at this big coffee shop for 2 years and was responsible for training the staff and picking the product they put on the menu. Among the reasons they compiled to fire me, they referred to my pursuits and drag/photography as part of the reasons they felt I was no longer “a good fit for the business”. The loss of my job created a massive strain on my career since I’d been a professional in the coffee industry for 8 years, and it was the main revenue generator fueling my other pursuits.
In the current climate towards drag and trans-ness, it would’ve been very easy to allow that to be the reason I gave up in the past. I had worked so hard for this opportunity, having experienced many struggles growing up as a trans woman in an unsupportive environment. However, thanks to the support of my community, and my friends, I have been able to turn the situation around and start my own business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an immersive events photographer. I specialize in all kinds of events but find my home in Performing Arts. My goal is to capture the work of performers around the world to platform them and allow them to continue creating. I’m known for my work on shows like Doll Days, The Oddity Show, OTR, Creature Feature, TropX Drag, and many others. What sets me apart is my ability to fully capture the energy of an event in a way that entices people to come out. My experience and understanding of how to market events help me be able to increase revenue for venues through my photography.
Being a drag performer really helps when I’m capturing events. It gives me the perspective of the artist in their storytelling and shows me when to expect the strong beat points of their performance. It also helps me bring a different level of energy to my own performances under the stage name Kissa Death. She’s an alternative spooky doll that is here to bring power and edge that empowers others while slightly intimidating them.
I’m also known as Ms. Coffee Queen of Orlando through my coffee company Ferocity Coffee. I create coffee batches from scratch on a rotating menu that I serve at a market on Sundays, as well as have available for delivery throughout the week. My dream is to help drag performers and trans people by providing safe spaces for employees that have an investment in their future.
I’m tired of seeing business owners take advantage of the work of LGBTQIA+ people and make them expendable, especially since my experience is just a symptom of a bigger issue. I know that with the skillset that I was using for a business that profited off my work, I can help so many people in my community find the safety I needed when I was younger.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
All of the elements of my career connect together, from my drag to my photography and coffee. What life has shown me is the importance of a community being visible. In Florida, the attack on trans rights and drag bans has accelerated to the point where many of my friends are losing hope in their situations. Although the odds seem to be stacked against us, it’s our responsibility as a community to band together and show the world who we really are.
I know that the transphobia and fear that people feel comes from not knowing any trans people in their life. That’s why I think it’s more important than ever for us to document and show what LGBTQIA+ people and events are really like. That’s why it’s important for trans people to be visible daily, in community spaces like coffee shops and retail businesses. I know that if the people actively working against trans rights got to meet people like my friends, their assumptions towards them would be proven false. I know our visibility can change the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: ferocitycoffee.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/_runvioletrun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004316236046&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: twitter.com/runvirun
Image Credits
@thedollographer
